# Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps — user reviews > 964 indexed App Store user reviews of Gaia GPS by TrailBehind, rated 4.80/5 from 32,155 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gaia-gps-mobile-trail-maps/id1201979492/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gaia-gps-mobile-trail-maps/id1201979492.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 27,806 · 4★ 2,856 · 3★ 370 · 2★ 276 · 1★ 847 ## What do users think of Gaia GPS? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 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 **Cons** - 🐛 Buggy and unstable app performance - 🔋 High battery consumption - 🔍 Confusing map/feature management - 💰 Expensive subscription model - 🇬🇧 Limited functionality for non-US users **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes and freezes - Unreliable offline map downloads - GPS location inaccuracies - Syncing issues between app and web portal **Most requested features** - Improved route planning tools (e.g. distance/elevation between waypoints) - Better organization and management of saved tracks/waypoints - More map data coverage for international users - Customizable map layers and display options ## Newest reviews (17 of 964) ### 3/5 — Hot mess *2026-08-16, version 2026.5.1* The site works perfectly but the app sometimes decides it doesn’t want to or the account isn’t valid and don’t even think about downloading a map or syncing data ### 3/5 — Please please please fix CarPlay *2026-08-11, version 2026.5.1* I love Gaia over the competition, have used it for years… and I’d love to get back “off” X… buuuuut Gaia CarPlay is garbage. Fails to load layers without kicking it, stops updating location if the phone screen goes to sleep, and other quirks that make relying on it impossible. Sad. Please spend some dev sprints on fixing all these problems. Read these reviews, read the support tickets many have submitted for years, read Reddit… ### 2/5 — So much potential ruined by a few things *2026-08-01, version 2026.5* 2 things that really bothers me: Can't snap a route to a trail when offline (why???) No free roaming navigation map with the apple watch (just copy footpath app) ### 4/5 — Great app, please fix CarPlay *2026-07-28, version 2026.5* I use this for hiking, hitting fire and logging roads on my motorcycle and getting around those same places with my truck. Great app, best I’ve seen so far. Only gripe I have is that you have to have the map layers opened on displayed on your phone/tablet before CarPlay starts up or the map doesn’t display right. A fix for CarPlay stability would be great! ### 2/5 — Everything is paid *2026-07-18, version 2026.5* Forces you to create an account, to access any modes, layers, etc. it’s all paid. They use public maps like OpenStreetMaps, which are free, and charge for it. Don’t get the hype. ### 2/5 — Can’t add past hikes anymore *2026-07-17, version 2026.5* I love this app and used to praise it, but now I can’t record my previous hikes manually without paying. I’m forgetful and don’t always remember to hit the record button when I’m out, so I appreciated being able to track it manually after the fact. Can’t do that anymore without a premium subscription now 👎🏻 ### 4/5 — Great app *2026-07-16, version 2026.5* 5 out of 5. Terrace search and rescue ,easy and accurate great user friendly ### 2/5 — Recent Update Issues *2026-07-15, version 2026.5* Regular update wiped out 2-3 years of tracks and waypoints. The subscription was current and login was present, but it hadn’t been syncing. Double check your current sync status BEFORE updating. Any help from the developers would be hugely appreciated - it appears (to storage) that the data is still present. ### 2/5 — Wondering what other app I can use! *2026-07-14, version 2026.5* New design is clunky and needless. Why fix what isn’t broken? And the app still doesn’t fix what IS broken: glitchy map layers, crashing…. ### 2/5 — Probleme beim Download der Offline-Karten *2026-07-12* Suchte nach Kartenmaterial dass man offline speichern kann (insbesondere Satelliten-Bilder). Leider lassen sich die Offline-Karten nicht zuverlässig herunterladen, ständig bricht der Download ab. Habe nach mehreren Tagen des testens das Probeabo wieder zurückgegeben… Ansonsten sicher keine schlechte App. ### 2/5 — The iOS version is the poor cousin to the Android version *2026-07-06, version 2026.4.3* I started using Gaia after seeing a friend use it on his Android phone. However, the iOS version is not the same and is missing some of the best features, like 3D maps, elevation profiles and track direction indicators. I have subscribed to this app for a couple of years now in the hope that these features would be implemented on iOS but sadly this app has not evolved and I am now switching to an alternative. ### 1/5 — Constant Crashes *2026-07-04, version 2026.4.3* Since the June update, the app crashes constantly for me on my iPhone 16 Pro. It is unusable. I switched over to a different off-road software and it’s working better. ### 1/5 — App crashing *2026-07-03, version 2026.4.3* I’ve used this app for a year and have been satisfied until now. Some layers are impossible to download and the app keeps crashing. Not to oversell, but this is unacceptable performance for something that is a lifeline in the backcountry. I will probably be switching to a different app ### 2/5 — You have to download the app to delete your account??? *2026-07-02, version 2026.4.3* Terrible UX ### 1/5 — Ads built into map! *2026-07-01, version 2026.4.3* Toyota sponsored ads in the app. They show up as marked trails. It gets in the way of using the map! Totally unacceptable. ### 2/5 — Adventure Modes are just a waste of space *2026-06-30, version 2026.4.3* GaiaGPS used to be great, but now it’s an expensive app with features no one asked for or wants. Adventure Modes are a waste of screen space, that don’t add anything useful for Australian users. ### 2/5 — Was great, but… *2026-06-26, version 2026.4.3* Used to love this app and have always paid the subscription. However I haven’t been able to download maps on iOS for 3 months this now. The app just immediately crashes. I have an iPhone 15 and very fast internet, and it used to work fine. If this isn’t resolved by my renewal I’ll be cancelling and finding another gps app. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Confusing and glitchy *2026-08-13, version 2026.5.1* I had a lot of hope for Gaia. I’ve used it for many years and expected product improvements over time would lead to a more reliable, intuitive, easier to navigate, more performant app. Unfortunately, Outside has not invested in this product and it has frequent glitches and a horribly complex user interface. ### 1/5 — Is the base map downloaded? *2026-08-13, version 2026.5.1* Steep learning curve and the Gaia websites aren’t helpful. It’s very difficult to confirm if the maps have downloaded for off grid reference. I regret this purchase and getting my $60 back seems unlikely. ### 1/5 — Lost my data *2026-08-10, version 2026.5.1* Some changes a while back locked me out of my data (recorded tracks, etc.). Numerous support requests went unanswered. Awful app. ### 1/5 — No customer support *2026-08-04, version 2026.5* I absolutely LOVE this app. I can’t imagine life without it. I recommend it ALL THE TIME to strangers on the trail. BUT the only customer support available now is a stupid AI chat bot that is not at all helpful. It offers to open a support ticket, and says someone will email me shortly, but I’ve been lost to a black hole. I have a problem that needs to be solved, and AI isn’t helping. REAL HUMAN PLEASE ### 1/5 — This app runs in background *2026-07-26, version 2026.5* POS WILL NOT SHUTDOWN ### 1/5 — Crashes within 30 seconds every time *2026-07-21, version 2026.5* I have been a loyal paying customer for many years but the app has become unusable because of crashes literally every single time I open it within 30 seconds. Latest version of iOS, iPhone 17 pro, latest version of Gaia. I will update this review if this is fixed. ### 1/5 — Suddenly So Bad *2026-07-19, version 2026.5* This app used to be great, but the quality of the maps has gotten really bad. They took away National Geographic Maps, which were excellent. 6 years ago, I bought a 5 year subscription for $50. Now it is $60 for only 1 year. With the degradation in Map Quality, I won’t be renewing. ### 1/5 — Crashes *2026-07-14, version 2026.5* The go to for so many years but crashes during downloads and route creation are making it tough to stay. ### 1/5 — Very Inaccurate in My Setup *2026-07-06, version 2026.4.3* I used to use this app nearly every day for overlanding etc. just reinstalled it and it can not pass any of five simple tests for accuracy It is sometimes off feet and even wrong bearings are shown Alltrails, Apple stock fitness, and Google Maps are ALL very accurate could it be my setup perhaps But I have no issues with 5 other applications ONLY this one. Seriously it can not pass even a small accuracy test of around a 500 ft square track. It showed errors of up to 5 ft. And even in one leg did it properly track the leg I have an Apple ultra watch and newer iPhone so I have excellent gear (for layperson) Makes me sad because this was my goto app years ago ### 1/5 — Always crashes *2026-07-06, version 2026.4.3* Every time I use this app it constantly crashes. Even while on the most recent build. I loved Gaia and used it forever, then after it was purchased by Outside magazine it went downhill. I recently returned after using different apps for a couple years and was let down to see that it hasn’t improved. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — GAIA is 1 *2026-07-26, version 2026.5* GAIA is the best hiking and mapping app out there, and I’ve used many. ### 5/5 — Professional use *2026-07-15, version 2026.5* Gaia has been extremely valuable to me in my professional capacity of inspecting commercial industrial scale projects. More user-friendly than normal GIS and the ability to store all of my data in one spot has been extremely valuable. ### 5/5 — Can’t wait for the next big things *2026-07-09* Cant wait for the next big thing . Still, no 3D maps like it’s available on android for years …... ### 5/5 — The Navigation Tool I Trust Outdoors *2026-06-15, version 2026.4.3* The one app I consistently rely on for trail navigation whenever I’m out exploring the outdoors. ### 5/5 — Super useful *2026-06-05, version 2026.4.3* I would be confused which way to go during hikes with lots of intersections and turns. Gaia has saved me more times than I can count. ### 5/5 — HIGHLY RECOMMEND! *2026-05-20, version 2026.4.2* I use GAIA for my overlanding. I find the app very accurate and user friendly. I find it better than onX for what I use gps mapping for. You won’t be disappointed! ### 5/5 — Can’t wait for the next big things *2026-05-12* Cant wait for the next big thing . Still, no 3D maps like it’s available on android for years. ### 5/5 — Most reliable hiking app *2026-05-02, version 2026.4.01* This is by far the the most reliable hiking app I’ve used. Excellent quality and accuracy. ### 5/5 — Jeep Friendly *2026-04-23, version 2026.4* I've been using this app for years now and cannot say enough good about it. I originally downloaded it based on a YouTube review by a fellow off-roader. Initially, I downloaded the app with pretty low expectations assuming it was a paid sponsorship. I signed up for a free trial at the time, hit the trails, discovered a ton of new places to ride, and knew without a shadow of a doubt that I needed this app with me each and every time I hit went off-roading going forward. After that initial trip, I bought a 5-year membership because what it offers is so much more than any app claiming to compare. Now, a few years into my subscription, I have zero regrets and wouldn't hit the trails without it. I couldn't tell you how many times it's both saved my bacon or how many new places I've discovered thanks to it, but what I can tell you is, you NEED this app. It doesn't matter of you're am off-roader like me, you're a hiker, a boater/fisherman (yes, I've even used it on the water because it's THAT good), a hunter, an emergency worker, or anything else that takes people off the beaten path, there hasn't been a better app built. Do yourself a huge favor and download this app. It could save your life, literally. ### 5/5 — Accurate *2026-03-27, version 2026.2* This is more accurate than onX --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*