# Soil Explorer vs ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples

The clearest difference is rating: ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples at 4.6 against Soil Explorer's 4.1. ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 11 months). Soil Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (14.7 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 9 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 0% and 0% positive.

Soil Explorer ships an update every 11 months, ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Soil Explorer | ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soil-explorer/id996159565/reviews) | **[4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcgis-maps-sdk-samples/id1630449018/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 172 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.7** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Purdue University](https://appshunter.io/developer/371741257) | [ESRI](https://appshunter.io/developer/379687933) |

## What reviewers say

### Soil Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soil-explorer/id996159565)

Discover detailed soil property and landscape maps for U.S. states and global soil distributions. Understand how map features relate to real-world observations. This educational tool uses data from USDA and USGS to illustrate complex soil-landscape relationships.

**Highlights:** Detailed soil property maps, Landscape visualizations, Global soil distribution maps, Field observation correlation, USDA NRCS data integration, USGS data integration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcgis-maps-sdk-samples/id1630449018)

Explore interactive samples showcasing powerful mapping and visualization capabilities. Learn to integrate advanced features like augmented reality, data editing, and spatial analysis into your own applications by viewing and adapting the provided source code.

**Highlights:** Interactive map and scene samples, Augmented reality visualization, Data editing and offline capabilities, Spatial analysis and routing, View and adapt source code, Search and query functionality

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Soil Explorer free?

Soil Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples free?

ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Soil Explorer or ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples?

ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples is rated higher. Soil Explorer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.

### Do Soil Explorer or ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples have ads?

Neither Soil Explorer nor ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Soil Explorer or ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples?

Soil Explorer ships an update every 11 months, and ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples every 4 months. Most recently, Soil Explorer was updated on September 19, 2026 and ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples on August 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*