# Mapster

> Detailed offline topographical maps for global exploration and navigation. (iPhone/iPad app by Syzygy Research & Technology Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapster/id409304946 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Syzygy Research & Technology Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/409047387)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 15 App Store ratings · 69 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 11 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-05-03
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapster/id409304946/reviews.md

## What is Mapster?

With Mapster, you can view, download, and store incredibly detailed maps (which include stunning topographical hillshading and contour lines) for any part of the Earth. Whether you're interested in finding new hiking trails, ski runs, back streets, freeways, or just want to explore the physical geography of our planet, you will never run out of things to discover.  Now, you can have maps available even in places where you have no Internet service - when you need them the most!
    
There is more involved to providing accurate, practical, and visually appealing maps than just drawing lines where roads are.  Our Earth isn't flat, so the way it appears on your screen shouldn't be either.  To this end, we have spent a lot of time collecting topographical information for the entire planet, and presenting it in an intuitive and practical way.  If there is a small hill or valley in the area you are interested in looking at, it will likely be obvious in Mapster.  This provides all kinds of practical benefits for the outdoor enthusiast - if you're the type of person who enjoys hiking or cycling, you'll know ahead of time what to expect.
    
Of course, there is a lot more to Mapster than just a visualization of the terrain in an area.  We use data from the OpenStreetMap project to be able to show you where roads, trails, stores, coffee shops, and hundreds of different types of features can be located.  Approximately a billion points make up the current OpenStreetMap data set, and the collection is continuing to grow at an astounding rate.
    
Mapster doesn't rely on mapping data that quickly becomes outdated.  Approximately once per month, our servers update the map information with the latest changes submitted by hundreds of thousands of users around the world, and keep your iPhone, iPod, or iPad current automatically.  As a Mapster user, you obtain privileged access to incredible maps of our entire planet, at a level of detail never before seen.
    
By using your device's built-in ability to determine its location (through a combination of GPS, cell phone triangulation, and WiFi site analysis technologies), you'll always know what's "around the next corner".  And if you're the sort of person who likes to explore areas where there is no cell phone or Internet service, that's no problem.  Unlike some other map software that requires a live Internet connection to provide you with information, the map details you download to your device are cached, so they stick around and are available even when you're in the middle of nowhere (perhaps not so surprisingly, some of the most interesting places on the planet are "in the middle of nowhere").  If you are planning on exploring an area, all you need to do is tell Mapster to download the details of that location before you leave.
    
There's quite literally an entire planet out there waiting to be explored, whether you're looking for new restauraunts in your community, or kayaking down a river surrounded by a tropical rainforest (though for the latter, we'd suggest also bringing along a waterproof bag to keep your iPhone/iPod/iPad in).  With Mapster along for the ride, you'll see the Earth as you never have before.

NOTE: To prevent excessive bandwidth on our servers providing the map data, the free version of this app is restricted to downloading a fixed amount of map data per day, roughly equivalent to around 5 or 10 minutes of panning around and zooming in interactively (and obviously much less if you decide to batch download maps).  To remove this restriction, inexpensive monthly and yearly subscriptions are available as in-app purchases which give you access to obtaining as much map data as you'd like.

## Key features

- Detailed topographical maps
- Offline map access
- Hillshading and contour lines
- OpenStreetMap data integration
- Real-time location tracking
- Monthly map updates

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited downloads for 30 days | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited downloads for 1 Year | $9.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 69)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapster/id409304946/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Extremely useful!

*2024-08-28, version 1.4*

I’ve been using this app all over the world for 7 years. It’s been a life saver! Where there’s no cell service, and no maps on GPS devices, this always works. I know exactly where I am and how to get to where I need to go. I won’t be without it!

### 5/5 — Highly detailed for remote places

*2020-06-16, version 1.4*

Kudos to everyone who loads data into these maps. The off road routes are incredibly accurate. Some of the routes are simply worn out paths in taller grass. It definitely helped me with navigating to more remote places (Africa, Central Asia, and New Mexico). In urban areas the maps were accurate with hotels and hospitals even in smaller towns and villages. I used this with other cell data map apps (with I’m guessing more fresh info), which created nice overlays. Where this app really helped me was with planning an overland journey through remote areas and when cell coverage dropped. I used this with bad elf, a sat gps that plugs in your smart phone or tablet. If you have your maps already downloaded the bad elf will show where you are on the map. I wouldn't use this for commuting but its a big help for off the beaten path type of adventure. I hope this helps!

### 5/5 — Amazing!

*2019-02-08, version 1.4*

By far the best and easiest map to use when out in the bush. No internet connection needed. Download the area where you are heading and boom. Get all the trails and your location with impressive accuracy.

### 1/5 — Terrible

*2016-03-24, version 1.3*

Not a true topo map. More of a street map with topo markings. No trails, no smaller bodies of water and no better than mapquest. Plus they have a stupid tile system you have to purchase to keep using it. Absolute garbage.

### 5/5 — Great Program

*2015-10-10, version 1.3*

This is an awesome topographic map app! I wish I could give it 10 stars!

### 5/5 — Feedback

*2014-12-21, version 1.3*

I'd like to see a street view and a 3d aspect on buildings I also think that you should team up with Google maps to get the details

### 5/5 — Great simple program!

*2014-08-05, version 1.3*

Love it. Use it all the time. So efficient and simple...it's all I need to go 'deep' into the bush, or waaaay out of cell range and still have an exceptional reference to my location. Cheers from Yukon, Canada(bush country)!!

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2014-07-28*

This app is just what it says it is.  It provides a better traditional map experience than Google maps in many ways.  It is just a clear map with extraordinary detail.  So far, I have found it to be accurate.  In fact, in a new subdivision, Mapster has the actual, current and correct street names whereas Google has the old proposed street names! 

It's a really well thought out app with a built in user manual that gives lots of good background, how to contribute, and a lot of interesting detail in how it is put together and works.

When paired with a GPS receiver, the tracking is smooth, quick and responsive.  It updates position frequently. The tracking with this map is much quicker and smoother than any other GPS nav app or system I have used. 

The only complaint I have is that at the highest level of detail the text is hard to read. You can zoom in and out to read it but it would be nice if that could be made a little more readable without doing that.

I highly recommend this app, either by itself or with a GPS receiver. I've been using it on an iPad Mini with Retina.

### 1/5 — Lack lustre

*2014-07-13, version 1.3*

Lacks a lot of "should have" features. Too many nag screens. The daily tile download is to restrictive to be able to make judgement on the app. There is no key for the map symbols. Don't seem to be able to turn off the "Blue location circle". It has promise but falls a long way short of being useful yet.

### 5/5 — Great

*2014-05-28, version 1.3*

You can tell were you are even without Internet, witch is great if your lost and don't have service

## Frequently asked questions about Mapster

### What does Mapster do?

Mapster allows you to view, download, and store highly detailed maps of any part of the Earth. These maps include topographical hillshading and contour lines, providing a clear understanding of the physical geography. It also integrates data from OpenStreetMap to show roads, trails, and various points of interest.

### Can I use Mapster without an internet connection?

Yes, a key feature of Mapster is its ability to provide offline map access. You can download map details for specific locations before you leave, ensuring you have access to information even in areas with no cell phone or internet service.

### How does Mapster update its map data?

Mapster's map information is updated approximately once per month. This ensures you have access to the latest changes submitted by a large community of users contributing to the OpenStreetMap project.

### What kind of topographical detail can I expect?

Mapster provides detailed topographical information, including hillshading and contour lines, for the entire planet. This makes small hills and valleys easily visible, which is particularly beneficial for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.

### What devices is Mapster compatible with?

The application is designed to work on Apple devices, specifically mentioning iPhone, iPod, and iPad. It utilizes the device's built-in location services for accurate positioning.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4 — 2017-07-06

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

This update of Mapster improves compatibility with iOS 10.

### 1.3 — 2013-12-16

- Performance and usability enhancements for iOS 7.0
- Doubled the amount of map data per day that can be downloaded without a subscription

### 1.2 — 2012-10-02

- now provides full support for the iPhone 5 and iPods with tall (4 inch) screens.
- added a subtle glow effect to the position indicator making it more visible against dark backgrounds.

### 1.1 — 2012-05-08

- Doubled the daily amount that can be downloaded for free.
- Fixed instability that occurred in rare cases where user's ISP filtered certain headers sent in transferring map data.
- Modified storage of map data to be compatible with iCloud

### 1.0 — 2011-05-03

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Mapster

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| [Large Maps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/large-maps/id413882298) | 5.0 (1) | $7.99 | Navigation |
| [Light Trail GPS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/light-trail-gps/id6503480171) | — | Free | Navigation |
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| [Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gaia-gps-mobile-trail-maps/id1201979492) | 4.6 (357) | Free | Navigation |
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*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 2026-06-10.*