Best Coin Ping Test Apps for Gold & Silver (2026)
Last Updated: February 21, 2026
Five apps currently let you test gold and silver coins by sound. Each targets a different type of buyer — from casual stackers checking a single coin to dealers processing inventory daily. This guide helps you pick the right one for your situation, and we keep it current so you only need one bookmark.
Want the details? Jump to the app-by-app reviews, with screenshots of each app.
Which App Should You Pick?
Start here based on what you actually need:
"I just bought my first gold coin and want peace of mind."
→ Start with Pingcoin or Precious Coin Tester. Pingcoin's free tier gives you 10 tests per month and is available on Android and Web. Precious Coin Tester's free tier includes over 200 gold coins — there's a good chance yours is covered — and is available on Android and iOS.
"I collect a wide range of coins from different countries."
→ Precious Coin Tester is the only app with 42,000+ coins in its database, covering mints worldwide. It also offers a full customization mode, letting you define your own coin parameters if yours isn't listed.
"I want to pay once and be done."
→ BullionTest costs $3.49 with no subscription. It covers 28 popular coins. Android only.
"I already own a Pocket Pinger."
→ StackerTool unlocks its full database with your Pocket Pinger coupon code — no additional cost.
"I care about precision beyond pass/fail."
→ Precious Coin Tester is the only app that provides a purity estimation in addition to sound matching, giving you a confidence level beyond binary pass/fail.
"I don't want to install an app on my phone."
→ Both Pingcoin and StackerTool offer a web version — no installation required.
How to Choose: 5 Factors That Matter
1. Is Your Coin in the Database?
This is the single most important factor. An app cannot test a coin it doesn't know. Catalog sizes vary enormously:
| App | Coins in Database |
|---|---|
| BullionTest | 28 (+ generic 1oz pure silver) |
| Coin Tester | 15 |
| StackerTool | 15 (+ generic 1oz pure silver) |
| Pingcoin | 38 (+ generic 1oz pure silver) |
| Precious Coin Tester | 42,000+ (+ generic gold & silver models) |
If you own common bullion (Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands, Philharmonics), most apps will cover you. For less common coins — older dates, foreign mints, fractional sizes — check the catalog before committing.
2. What Devices Do You Have?
| App | iOS | Android | Web |
|---|---|---|---|
| BullionTest | No | Yes | No |
| Pingcoin | No | Yes | Yes |
| Precious Coin Tester | Yes | Yes | No |
| Coin Tester | Yes | Yes | No |
| StackerTool | Yes | Yes | Yes |
If you use an iPhone, three of the five apps are available to you. BullionTest remains Android-only.
3. How Do You Want to Pay?
| Model | Apps | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Free (limited) | Pingcoin (10 tests/mo), Precious Coin Tester (600+ coins) | Trying before buying |
| One-time purchase | BullionTest ($3.49) | Casual users who dislike subscriptions |
| Hardware unlock | StackerTool (via Pocket Pinger) | Users who already own the device |
| Monthly subscription | Precious Coin Tester ($2.99/mo), Coin Tester ($9.99/mo) | Regular testers who want full access |
| Annual subscription | Pingcoin ($29/yr), Coin Tester ($79/yr) | Cost-conscious frequent users |
4. Do You Need More Than Pass/Fail?
Most apps give a binary result: the coin's sound either matches the reference or it doesn't. One app goes further:
- Sound match only: BullionTest, Pingcoin, Coin Tester, StackerTool
- Sound match + purity estimation: Precious Coin Tester
5. Is the App Still Actively Maintained?
Active development means bug fixes, new coins, and compatibility with newer phones. Here's where each app stands:
| App | Last Update | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BullionTest | Aug 2023 | No updates in 2+ years |
| Pingcoin | Feb 2026 | Active |
| Precious Coin Tester | Feb 2026 | Active |
| Coin Tester | Dec 2025 | Active |
| StackerTool | Jan 2026 | Active |
Full Comparison Table
| BullionTest | Pingcoin | Precious Coin Tester | Coin Tester | StackerTool | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 28 | 38 | 42,000+ | 15 | 15 |
| On Market | Since 2013 | Since 2018 | Since 2019 | Since 2023 | Since 2025 |
| iOS | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Free Tier | 1 coin | 10 tests/mo | 600+ coins | No | 8 coins |
| Paid Price | $3.49 (once) | $29/yr | $2.99/mo | $9.99/mo | Pocket Pinger purchase |
| Result Type | Match | Match | Match + purity estimation | Similarity | Match |
| Generic Models | 1oz pure silver | 1oz pure silver | Gold & silver | No | 1oz pure silver & bars |
| Last Updated | Aug 2023 | Feb 2026 | Feb 2026 | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 |
| Works Offline | Yes | Yes | No | N/A | Yes |
App-by-App Reviews
The apps are listed in order of release, from earliest to latest. Screenshots were taken in 2025; prices and coin counts are current as of the last update above.
BullionTest: The Veteran Analyzer
Screenshots From BullionTest App (2025)
Released in April 2013, BullionTest was the first app to offer ping test analysis for both gold and silver coins. It is Android-only and covers 28 coins (15 silver, 13 gold), plus a generic model for 1 oz pure silver coins. It works offline, but it has not been updated since August 2023.
- Result: "Match" or no match against its database. The app's own description warns: "This app should only be used to complement other testing methods, not replace them."
- Price: $3.49, one-time. A free Bullion Test Demo tests only the Silver Eagle.
Pingcoin: Free Tier and Web Version
Screenshots From Pingcoin App (2025)
Pingcoin launched on Google Play in November 2018 and also runs in a web browser. It covers 38 popular bullion coins, such as the Gold Eagle, Buffalo, Maple Leaf and Philharmonic, plus a generic 1 oz pure silver model.
- Result: "Authentic XXX Detected" or "Not recognized", depending on whether the coin's frequencies fall within the app's thresholds.
- Price: 10 free tests per month; unlimited access costs $29/year. It was completely free until 2026.
Precious Coin Tester: Largest Database and Purity Estimation
Screenshots From Precious Coin Tester App (2025)
Precious Coin Tester is our app. It launched on the App Store in July 2019 and on Google Play in October 2019. Its catalog covers 42,000+ coins from mints worldwide, with generic gold and silver models and a customization mode for coins that are not listed. It needs an internet connection.
- Result: pass or fail on the sound match. For a positive result, the app reports a minimum purity, "at least X%": a conservative floor, not a point estimate. See how it works.
- Price: 600+ coins are free. The full database costs $2.99/month, or you can unlock single tests with Precious Points instead of subscribing. See pricing.
Coin Tester: Polished Design
A Screenshot From Coin Tester App (2025)
Coin Tester was released in October 2023 on Android and iOS. It stands out for its interface design and covers 15 coins, mostly 1 oz bullion. Its website describes it as "the first application that uses artificial intelligence".
- Result: a sound similarity score. According to the website, "the coin is considered authentic when the sound similarity is above 90%."
- Price: no free tier. $9.99/month or $79/year.
StackerTool: The Pocket Pinger App
Screenshots From StackerTool App (2025)
StackerTool is made by Sound Money Metals, the company behind the Pocket Pinger coin holder. It launched on iOS in February 2025, is now also on Android, and has a web version. It covers 15 coins plus generic models for 1 oz silver coins and 1 oz silver bars. It can also measure diameter and thickness by comparing your coin to on-screen outlines.
- Result: match or no match against its database. We found no further explanation of how results are calculated.
- Price: 8 coins are free. The full database is unlocked with the coupon code that comes with a Pocket Pinger.
What Changed in 2026?
A few notable shifts since 2025:
- Pingcoin moved to a paid model. Previously completely free, it now limits free users to 10 tests per month. Unlimited access costs $29/year.
- StackerTool launched on Android. The Android version has exited beta and is now fully available on Google Play.
- Precious Coin Tester expanded to 42,000+ coins and introduced Precious Points, letting users unlock the full database without a monthly subscription.
- BullionTest remains unchanged since August 2023. With no updates in over two years, it may be effectively unmaintained.
- Coin Tester added a few new coins (Armenian Noah's Ark, Australian Emu) but the catalog remains small at 15 coins.
FAQ
Does the ping test actually work?
Yes — and the physics behind it is well-established. Every metal has a characteristic resonance frequency determined by its density, elasticity, and dimensions. A genuine gold coin rings differently than a tungsten-filled counterfeit. The ping test is particularly effective against tungsten fakes because, despite having nearly identical density to gold (19.25 vs 19.3 g/cm³), tungsten sounds completely different when struck.
That said, no single test method is foolproof. The ping test is best used alongside weight, dimension, and visual checks.
Can I test a coin inside its capsule or slab?
No. Protective capsules and slabs dampen the sound and alter the frequency, which leads to unreliable results. For accurate testing, remove the coin from its case.
Does background noise affect results?
It can. Test in a quiet environment for best results — avoid wind, music, or conversation nearby. Place your coin on a fingertip (not a hard surface) to allow it to ring freely.
Can these apps test silver bars?
Most apps focus on coins. Only StackerTool includes a reference for 1oz silver bars. But bar testing is generally less reliable due to shape and size variations.
Why do different apps give different results for the same coin?
Each app uses its own algorithm, reference database, and tolerance thresholds. There is no industry standard for coin ping analysis. A coin that "passes" in one app may show as borderline in another — this reflects algorithmic differences, not necessarily a problem with the coin. For one user's side-by-side test of three apps on 160 gold coins, see this user review.
Can a ping test detect all counterfeits?
No. If a counterfeit is made from the exact same alloy and dimensions as the genuine coin, the ping test cannot distinguish it. However, most counterfeits use cheaper base metals or tungsten cores, which the ping test catches effectively. For a fake that used real silver, see A Fake Trade Dollar That Fooled Almost Every Test.
What's Next
We refresh this page as apps release meaningful updates. Bookmark this URL and check back.
Curious about other methods for testing gold coins and silver coins? Check out our guide: 9 Ways to Test Your Gold Coins and 10 Ways to Test Your Silver Coins