Best CalTopo alternatives: apps like CalTopo: Backcountry Mapping

9+ similar apps compared and reviewed

4.3 avg rating

9 free apps

Updated October 2026

CalTopo LLC

CalTopo is great, but it's not the only option. Explore 9+ similar apps for iPhone and iPad, each reviewed and rated by real users. Find free alternatives, premium upgrades, and hidden gems.

Top Alternatives to CalTopo

onX Backcountry: 3D Trail Maps by onXmaps, Inc.

Offline Hiking & Biking GPS

Editor's Choice

🗺️ Navigation

4.8😊(6.5K ratings)

FreeAdsIn-App Purchases

#30in Navigation

onX Backcountry: 3D Trail Maps screenshot 1

onX Backcountry: 3D Trail Maps screenshot 2

onX Backcountry: 3D Trail Maps screenshot 3

onX Backcountry: 3D Trail Maps screenshot 4

onX Backcountry: 3D Trail Maps screenshot 5

onX Backcountry: 3D Trail Maps screenshot 6

Navigate the backcountry with offline maps and GPS tracking for hiking, skiing, and biking. Discover new trails, plan routes, and access detailed terrain data, weather forecasts, and hazard information. Your ultimate companion for outdoor adventures, even without cell service.

What We Love

🚀 Great mapping features
👍 Intuitive user interface
🗺️ Offline maps work well
📍 Accurate GPS tracking
🤝 Excellent customer service

Room to Improve

🇨🇦 Limited content for Canada
🚫 Difficult to cancel subscription
🔢 Lacks metric units
🔋 Battery draining issues
🗺️ Inaccurate elevation data

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps by TrailBehind

Hiking, Overlanding, Camping

Strong Contender

🗺️ Navigation

4.8😐(32K ratings)

FreeIn-App Purchases

#7in Navigation

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps screenshot 1

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps screenshot 2

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps screenshot 3

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps screenshot 4

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps screenshot 5

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps screenshot 6

Discover trails, campsites, and routes with detailed topographic maps and GPS navigation. Plan your adventures with offline maps, weather updates, and distance tracking. Explore hiking, off-roading, camping, and skiing with this comprehensive outdoor companion.

What We Love

🚀 Excellent offline functionality
🗺️ Detailed and customizable maps
🧭 Accurate GPS tracking and navigation
📸 Ability to add photos to tracks
🔍 Useful map overlays (e.g. property boundaries)
🤝 Seamless sync between devices

Room to Improve

🐛 Buggy and unstable app performance
🔋 High battery consumption
🔍 Confusing map/feature management
💰 Expensive subscription model
🇬🇧 Limited functionality for non-US users

Garmin Explore™ by Garmin

Explore with a Garmin device

Worth Considering

🗺️ Navigation

4.2😐(1.1K ratings)

Free

Navigate off-grid with this app, which pairs with a compatible Garmin device for trip planning, mapping, and navigation even without Wi-Fi or cellular service. Plan routes, download maps for offline use, and sync data to the cloud.

What We Love

👍 Easy to use
🚀 Excellent for planning routes and activities
💡 Great for offline navigation with downloaded maps
👍 Seamless integration with Garmin devices
👍 Useful for tracking and sharing adventures

Room to Improve

🐛 Sync issues with Garmin devices
🔍 Lacking detailed map options in some regions
🔍 Confusing interface and terminology
🐛 Crashes and performance issues
🔒 Requires login and internet connection for full functionality

More apps like CalTopo

FarOut: Hike, Bike, Paddle

Offline GPS Trail Maps

Free

This app provides reliable offline navigation for long-distance adventures like hiking, biking, and paddling. It offers trusted trail data, detailed waypoint information, and a check-in feature to share your location with loved ones. Explore the world with confidence, even in remote areas.

Offline navigational guidesExtensive global route coverageTrusted, official trail data

🗺️ Navigation

(27K)

free with in-app purchases

Compare with CalTopo

Earthmate

Text and Navigate with inReach

Free

Connect your satellite communicator to your mobile device for text messaging, navigation, and trip planning. Access offline maps, track your location, and share your adventures globally. Stay connected and safe on any outdoor expedition.

Send/receive text messagesOffline topographic mapsWaypoint and route navigation

Avenza Maps: Offline Mapping

GPS Navigation & Trail Maps

Free

Navigate any terrain with offline GPS maps, even without cell service. Explore a vast Map Store for hiking, biking, and travel, or import your own custom maps. Record tracks, add notes, and identify your location precisely.

Offline GPS navigationReal-time GPS position and directionRecord GPS tracks

🗺️ Navigation

(128K)

free with in-app purchases

Compare with CalTopo

Trailforks: Offline Bike Maps

Routes for MTB, Biking, Hiking

Free

Access a vast database of trails for biking and hiking with offline map capabilities. Navigate routes, record your rides, and stay updated on trail conditions. Supports community contributions and local trail association curation.

Extensive trail databaseOffline trail mapsGPS navigation and tracking

🗺️ Navigation

(16K)

free with in-app purchases

This app provides real-time collaborative mapping and team tracking. Share locations, sensor data, videos, and chat with your team. Supports online and offline mapping with various data formats.

Real-time team trackingCollaborative mappingOnline and offline mapping

Topo Maps+: Topographic Maps

Offline Maps & GPS Navigation

Free

Plan and execute backcountry adventures with offline topographic maps and GPS navigation. Features include route building, waypoints, land boundaries, and on-trail tools. Integrates with Apple Watch and CarPlay for seamless outdoor exploration.

Offline topographic mapsSmart route buildingWaypoints and proximity alerts