MAGE by NGA vs goTenna Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MAGE by NGA
This app enables real-time field awareness by allowing users to create and share geotagged reports with media. It supports offline functionality and customizable geospatial data layers for team collaboration.
- Geotagged field reports
- Media sharing (photos, videos, voice)
- Real-time location sharing
- Offline functionality
- Local geospatial data layers
- Customizable for team needs
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The MAGE app provides dynamic capabilities for mobile situational awareness. Originally developed to support first responders deploying in the event of natural disasters, the MAGE app on your mobile device allows you to create geotagged field reports and observations that contain media such as photos, videos and voice recordings and share them instantly with other members of your team. Using the GPS in your mobile device, MAGE can record user locations in real time. Your locations can be automatically shared only with the other members of your team. The app remains functional if your mobile device loses its network connection and will upload its local content when a connection is reestablished. Geospatial data layers, including map tiles and vector data, can be stored on your mobile device and are available at all times. When disconnected from the network, MAGE will use local data layers to continue to provide relevant geospatial information to teammates. MAGE is customizable and can be tailored to your team's situation. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is releasing this application to the general public to increase the impact of government investments in unclassified mobile initiatives. MAGE is not hosted or managed by NGA, in order to use it you will need to get access to your agency or managing entities server. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
goTenna Pro
This app enables mission-critical, off-grid communications by pairing with specialized radio devices. It allows users to send text messages, share locations, and mark maps without relying on cellular or Wi-Fi networks. It also supports interoperability with other tactical systems.
- Off-grid text messaging
- Real-time location sharing
- Customizable map markings
- Route and geofencing tools
- Interoperability with ATAK
- Offline map import
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The goTenna Pro app is a tactical situational awareness application that pairs with goTenna Pro and goTenna Pro X2 mesh networking radio devices to enable mission-critical communications completely independent of traditional cell, Wi-Fi, or satellite connectivity. Users can download the goTenna Pro app to any iOS device, pair with a goTenna Pro or goTenna Pro X2 tactical radio, and then use the mobile device to communicate critical information like near real-time locations, share map markings, and send text messages while 100% off-grid. The app supports full interoperability with ATAK and the goTenna Android goTenna Pro app for seamless cross-platform mission coordination. goTenna Pro tactical radios have a 5W, tunable UHF/VHF output that can transmit critical data from your iOS device and also automatically act as relays that securely and anonymously “hop” messages across up to 6 devices to extend range. Key Features - Send & receive text-based messages - Automatic blue force tracking - Customizable map markers for emergencies, dangers, and objectives - Routes, perimeters, geofencing, and shape drawing tools - Individual & group messaging - Broadcasts to anyone within range on your network - Interoperability with iOS/Android goTenna Pro apps, ATAK plugin v2.2.50, and iTAK v2.10.1 - Ability to import offline maps (.sqlite files) to display custom maps on the field - Send/receive standard 2525B tactical markers
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MAGE by NGA at 4.4 against goTenna Pro's 3.2. goTenna Pro's advantage is ratings volume (26 vs 7) and iOS requirement (15 vs 18.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MAGE by NGA holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 26 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 0% and 0% positive.
MAGE by NGA ships an update every 5 weeks, goTenna Pro monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | MAGE by NGA | goTenna Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (7 ratings) — better | 3.2 (26 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 26 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 15 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency | goTenna Inc. |
Customer experience
MAGE by NGA
goTenna Pro
In-app purchases
MAGE by NGA
No in-app purchases
goTenna Pro
No in-app purchases









