An Exceptional GIS app
Our company began using Touch GIS last year after using Garafa’s GIS Pro app for over a decade. We’ve used it for data collection for thousands of miles of corridors, spanning steep ridges, plains and public and private lands.
GIS Pro was very efficient, but with iPadOS updates, it was struggling to keep all the UI buttons, windows and icons from running off the screen or disappearing. Behind the scenes, I was putting in a lot of effort to keep the data collected clean and uncorrupted from encoding mismatches.
When using GIS Pro, I’d have to use the app on an iPad mini v1 running iPadOS 8 to create an exportable offline container file. Exporting the ‘cregion’ file would make every other GIS Pro app crash if it were running a newer iPadOS. I’d have to AirDrop these files to newer iPads for cloud distribution.
Switching to Touch GIS was very easy. The interface and workflow are similar to GIS Pro. Interactions are smooth, and creating feature class templates is far more flexible. Making detailed drop-down lists used to take hours. Now you can copy and paste lists from field to field and make edits quickly.
Offline maps are easy to define or import, with no 100MB limit per region. Attribute table text is reliably exported using UTF-8 encoding, eliminating the mojibake issues we faced previously.
Our field workers have used multiple apps from Esri and others, but far and above, prefer to use Touch GIS when creating or viewing GIS data. Because fields have greater flexibility and we haven’t had to rely on other apps like Excel, we’ve been able to significantly increase our data collection and processing efficiency.
The developer has been exceptionally responsive. Several improvements we requested—like enhanced offline mapping and UTF-8 compliant exports—were implemented quickly. It’s clear Touch GIS is actively developed and will continue to evolve.
While the app is free to install, exporting data to Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, GPX, CSV, and other standard formats requires a subscription. If you need a GIS app for work or research, probably the best way to decide to use Touch GIS would be to subscribe for a month and test out its abilities.
GIS Pro was very efficient, but with iPadOS updates, it was struggling to keep all the UI buttons, windows and icons from running off the screen or disappearing. Behind the scenes, I was putting in a lot of effort to keep the data collected clean and uncorrupted from encoding mismatches.
When using GIS Pro, I’d have to use the app on an iPad mini v1 running iPadOS 8 to create an exportable offline container file. Exporting the ‘cregion’ file would make every other GIS Pro app crash if it were running a newer iPadOS. I’d have to AirDrop these files to newer iPads for cloud distribution.
Switching to Touch GIS was very easy. The interface and workflow are similar to GIS Pro. Interactions are smooth, and creating feature class templates is far more flexible. Making detailed drop-down lists used to take hours. Now you can copy and paste lists from field to field and make edits quickly.
Offline maps are easy to define or import, with no 100MB limit per region. Attribute table text is reliably exported using UTF-8 encoding, eliminating the mojibake issues we faced previously.
Our field workers have used multiple apps from Esri and others, but far and above, prefer to use Touch GIS when creating or viewing GIS data. Because fields have greater flexibility and we haven’t had to rely on other apps like Excel, we’ve been able to significantly increase our data collection and processing efficiency.
The developer has been exceptionally responsive. Several improvements we requested—like enhanced offline mapping and UTF-8 compliant exports—were implemented quickly. It’s clear Touch GIS is actively developed and will continue to evolve.
While the app is free to install, exporting data to Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, GPX, CSV, and other standard formats requires a subscription. If you need a GIS app for work or research, probably the best way to decide to use Touch GIS would be to subscribe for a month and test out its abilities.
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Sewer Cleaning Company
What a fantastic addition to our tech tool belt. Mike is great and quick to respond with any questions or Suggestion you may have!!!
Mj
Thanks to the good team and the new update that solved the location registration problem.
Works great!
I am a water meter and Backflow tester. I have some customers in agriculture that have multiple wells in multiple areas. This app makes it easy to create a folder for each customer and can drop pins at each location with a description and pictures for each site. I have to test annually and sometimes it’s hard to remember each location. This app allows me to get a phone call from the customer and a site name and I have all the info and pictures to know exactly where the well is. The customer does not need to guide me after the first time. If I still don’t recognize the pictures, you can get directions from Apple Maps straight from the app. Highly recommend this app!! It can do so much more but for my small business I could not be happier. Mike the general manager answered all my questions when I sent a contact us request. Go download it now!!! 👍🏽
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The ultimate tool for geologic mapping and field data collection
I’ve been using Touch GIS for over 6 years as a professional geologic mapper and field geology instructor and I never go to the field without it. After trying out most other well-known apps (like Avenza, Field Move, Collector, StraboSpot), I have always stuck with Touch. The app has an intuitive design and is super easy to set up, with preset and customizable feature classes and the ability to import vector and raster data. You can store a variety of imagery and topographic base maps at different scales for offline use from right within the app, which is a lifesaver when you’re out in the field without service.
In the field, you can see your position on any number of stored base maps and quickly drop and label points, record notes, add photos or sketches, draw lines, or create a track using the GPS. What makes Touch stand out above the rest are its on-the-fly customizability and the versatile line-drawing tools. These and other features - like photo annotations and the built-in Attitude Tool for recording strike/dip data - make fieldwork much more efficient so I can keep moving and stay on task.
For team mapping, I’ve found Touch GIS very useful, even when we’re out of cell service. At the start of the day, we use Airdrop to share files and custom feature classes with set fields and pick lists, so everyone is on the same page and collecting data in the same way. Once back in the office, we can export our data in a variety of formats including CSV, SHP, and KMZ for use in desktop GIS software like ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth.
The app keeps getting better with regular updates and new or enhanced features. If you need a mobile GIS app that is easy to use, customizable, and works seamlessly with desktop GIS, then Touch GIS is definitely the way to go. It has been an absolute game-changer for my fieldwork, and I highly recommend it.
In the field, you can see your position on any number of stored base maps and quickly drop and label points, record notes, add photos or sketches, draw lines, or create a track using the GPS. What makes Touch stand out above the rest are its on-the-fly customizability and the versatile line-drawing tools. These and other features - like photo annotations and the built-in Attitude Tool for recording strike/dip data - make fieldwork much more efficient so I can keep moving and stay on task.
For team mapping, I’ve found Touch GIS very useful, even when we’re out of cell service. At the start of the day, we use Airdrop to share files and custom feature classes with set fields and pick lists, so everyone is on the same page and collecting data in the same way. Once back in the office, we can export our data in a variety of formats including CSV, SHP, and KMZ for use in desktop GIS software like ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth.
The app keeps getting better with regular updates and new or enhanced features. If you need a mobile GIS app that is easy to use, customizable, and works seamlessly with desktop GIS, then Touch GIS is definitely the way to go. It has been an absolute game-changer for my fieldwork, and I highly recommend it.
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Great mapping app
I have been using this app in the field for about 4 years to make geologic maps. The app is very powerful, and captures many of my field GIS needs. There was a hiatus for a couple years in updates and support but the new owner / developer is making regular updates and fixes now. The app is much more stable as a result. He has also been receptive to suggestions for future updates to add functionality for geologic mapping work flows and raster data import options. I’ve used many of the available mapping apps and Touch has the most true GIS functionality.
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Response from developer
Thank you for your feedback!
Best mobile GIS
This app is the best mobile GIS app on the market.
Has potential but crashes constantly
The title says it
Not for professionals
I wrote a very favorable review several years ago, but I simply can’t recommend this app anymore. The issues persist, and the developers clearly do not have the resources to debug it sufficiently that it can be counted on for client work. It is unstable and will often lose the ability to export data in CSV or SHP (or frankly any other usable format).
It is the only program where changes can be made on the fly to add feature classes while mapping and allow easy drawing similar to pen and paper in the field. The structure collector is also excellent.
Don’t get suckered in by that - it’ll screw you eventually.
It is the only program where changes can be made on the fly to add feature classes while mapping and allow easy drawing similar to pen and paper in the field. The structure collector is also excellent.
Don’t get suckered in by that - it’ll screw you eventually.
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Response from developer
Sorry to hear that you're still having issues. We recently brought on staff and are working our way through fixing bugs as quickly as we can, but this process takes a considerable amount of time to ensure that we don't break other things in the process.
Great app when it works
The app worked great for a while but will no longer send points and files with details, I’ve tried every format and have even sent emails to the developers but have no luck on getting this resolved. Me as well as several people in my line of work has had to start looking at other options to communicate the data we find on our projects. Hopefully this issue will be resolved soon!
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Response from developer
Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing these issues. Would you mind sending us another email to support@touchgis.app with more information so that we can investigate? We recently brought on more support staff to ensure issues like yours get the attention they deserve. I'm confident we can figure out the source of these issues and get them fixed quickly!
High potential but app appears abandoned
High quality foundation but a lot of problems that stop it from being useful long time.
They also charge money for a level service which isn’t provided. Non of my support emails were answered and half the export file types don’t work.
Refunded due to this.
They also charge money for a level service which isn’t provided. Non of my support emails were answered and half the export file types don’t work.
Refunded due to this.
Response from developer
Sorry to hear that you didn’t receive the service you deserve. We’ve recently expanded our support team and revamped our support processes to prevent this kind of experience in the future. If you decide to give us another try, we’d be happy to work with you on resolving any application issues that you encounter by emailing us at support@touchgis.app.
Help
I’ve reached out to the developers and I get no response. How do I send files where my clients can actually view them and not just see code or see can not open?
Response from developer
Sorry that you didn't get a timely response from us, if you don't mind sending us another email to support@touchgis.app, we're happy to discuss this in more detail.
Much Improved
I can see why this software had poor reviews in the past but it is much improved. We use it in our organisation and whilst there has been issues the developers have been very responsive at fixing them. I chose it because it’s all round functionality to do the task (free draw is very useful for us), and it does it well. The only bit of functionality it currently lacks is snapping/avoiding overlap on polygons. Hopefully the devotees will add that.
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Can’t export data anymore
I have been a fan of these apps, upgrading to the newest versions and although there are sometimes glitches I’ve never had a complaint until now.
I no longer have the ability to export project points by CSV as of a few weeks ago. This has stopped my whole teams work progress right in its tracks. None of us can use it now.
I can appreciate that this problem may eventually be fixed, but it’s hard to rely on a program that could have such a crucial issue for so long. We have a lot of jobs to map and now we are currently looking for a new program.
I no longer have the ability to export project points by CSV as of a few weeks ago. This has stopped my whole teams work progress right in its tracks. None of us can use it now.
I can appreciate that this problem may eventually be fixed, but it’s hard to rely on a program that could have such a crucial issue for so long. We have a lot of jobs to map and now we are currently looking for a new program.
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Response from developer
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We immediately began working on a fix for this issue when we became aware of it. That fix is now available in the most recent update. We understand your frustration and promise to do all we can to avoid issues like this going forward.
Powerful but user friendly
Latest updates have been great!
Excellent product
Very accurate, perfect for iPad.
So close…
I have been using this app in the field for about two years to make geologic maps. It had a lot of promise 2 years ago and the developers were available for bug fixes and improvement. The app is very powerful, and captures many of my field GIS needs. It has now been 1 year since they updated anything and they seem to no longer reply to service questions. Sadly it appears to be another unsupported zombie app. There are several bugs that are real issues with some of the functionality. I may continue to use it in the field but with limited capacity to avoid the bugs and issues. Its a shame because they were so close to building an ideal geologic mapping platform that we could roll out with colleagues and students. So if you are contemplating diving in I’ll just say that it still does many things well but there are some pretty serious bugs and apparently no prospect for improvement. However if you see substantial updates in the version history it might signal that the developers are actually reengaged with keeping this thing alive and viable. I hope they see these reviews and actually update Touch.
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Response from developer
Thank you for your feedback, we're glad to hear that the app is on the right track and sorry to hear that you weren't getting the level of service that you deserve. We recently brought on more support staff to ensure that issues like yours get the attention they need. We would love to hear more about the bugs you're experiencing as well as any thoughts you have for how we can improve the app in order to be the ideal geologic mapping platform for you. Please reach out to us again at support@touchgis.app so we can get to work on making the app better!
Very powerful app but.
I commonly use arcGIS in my pc but for ipad TouchGIS app is extraordinary and it has no equal but i wish from the developers to add search in UTM units. Thank you and i will be grateful.
Response from developer
Thanks for the kind words! You can indeed search using UTM coordinates. After tapping the search icon you should see a switched at the top of your keyboard that lets you choose different coordinate systems. Hope that helps!
Very Glitchy and Potential Safety Issues for Users
Paid for subscription to use all features for a hiking trip. Tons of issues. Cached maps are not showing up consistent when offline, could present a safety issue for users if imagery is being relied upon to navigate.
Switched from one project to another, when I went back to the first project, all data was gone and lost.
Will continue to use the legacy GIS app by Garafa, hoping they get these issues fixed. It has the same potential to be quality product, if and when it works.
Switched from one project to another, when I went back to the first project, all data was gone and lost.
Will continue to use the legacy GIS app by Garafa, hoping they get these issues fixed. It has the same potential to be quality product, if and when it works.
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Very Disappointed
I have used the two older versions of their legacy, GIS and GISPro, and was extremely excited about the upgrades that Touch GIS was offering. We have had issues with the exporting of data, it doesn't want to convert the meta data into data points. What is more disappointing is the lack of support, or even the acknowledgement of our requests for this app. We have reached out numerous times via phone, email, support page and twitter with zero response to any of our communication attempts.
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