Topo Maps US vs SharpMap
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Topo Maps US
Access and download detailed topographic maps of the United States for offline use. Track your location, mark waypoints, and record your routes for outdoor activities. Navigate with direction arrows and measure distances on the map.
- Download US topographic maps
- Offline map viewing
- GPS location tracking
- Add and import waypoints (flags)
- Import and share GPX/LOC files
- Record and share trails
- Elevation profile charts
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Download and view topographic maps covering the United States. Topographic maps are useful for recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing, mountain biking, geocaching, and exploring. MAPS Choose from 2 map sources: USGS standard topographic or USGS hybrid topographic. OFFLINE Download maps for areas of interest to view them later when you don't have Internet access or you don't want to use cell data. TRACKING Use location tracking to show where you are on the map, your elevation, and the accuracy of the GPS signal. FLAGS Flags are included with map downloads. Add flags (waypoints) to the map to mark your current location or other locations. Import flags from other sources using GPX files and geocache LOC files. Share flags with others using email or AirDrop. Organize your flag types by color, for example, geocaches, trailheads, and summits. TRAILS Trails are included with map downloads. Import trails (tracks) using GPX files you find on the Internet or from your personal GPS track collection. Share trails with others using email or AirDrop. Organize your trail types by color, for example, mountain bike trails, hiking trails, and OHV trails. TRAIL RECORDING Record your own trails to show where you've been on the map, follow them later, and share with others. ELEVATION PROFILE Recorded trails include an elevation profile (distance/elevation chart). NAVIGATION Navigate to a flag by following the direction arrow that uses your compass heading. Useful for geocaching. MEASURE Measure the distance between points on the map. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
SharpMap
Explore detailed topographic 3D maps of mountain regions with features like slope visualization, contour lines, and 3D terrain. Essential for outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and mountaineering.
- Detailed 3D topographic maps
- Slope and shading visualization
- Contour lines
- High-resolution LiDAR elevation models
- Customizable slope baselayer
- 2D and 3D viewing options
- Avalanche analysis support
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[COVERAGE CURRENTLY LIMITED TO THE ALPS, CARPATHIANS, AND THE SUDETES] Hello! We are the Sharpmap team — mountain enthusiasts, rescuers, and guides. Thanks to our extensive mountain experience, we understand exactly what is needed in the outdoors. That’s why we created the map that is precise and tailored to the realities of complex mountain terrain. This is just the beginning of our journey. We will continue to develop our app, expanding the map coverage and introducing new features to make it more reliable and versatile. EXPERIENCE TERRAIN LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Real mountain detail — visualized through slope, shading, contour lines, and 3D maps — powered by high-resolution LiDAR-based elevation models. • CUSTOM SLOPE BASELAYER – choose between our unique slope visualization and high-resolution orthophoto imagery. • MULTIPLE LAYERS – our map supports both 2D and 3D views, and offers interactive layers that let you display only the topographic data you need. • AVALANCHE ANALYSIS – our accurate slope data is essential for avalanche risk assessment. • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES – our app is designed primarily for ski tourers, alpinists, trekkers, mountain bikers, and all mountain adventure enthusiasts.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: SharpMap at free against Topo Maps US's paid. SharpMap also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.
Topo Maps US ships an update every 4 months, SharpMap every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Topo Maps US | SharpMap |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (210 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 210 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DC Cloud Apps, LLC | Łukasz Stempek |
Customer experience
Topo Maps US
SharpMap
Bugs and requests
Topo Maps US
Reported bugs
8 issues- White and gray blocks appearing on downloaded offline maps
- Route recording stops unexpectedly mid-hike
- High battery drain during route tracking
- GPX file import issues in iOS 13+
- Map display issues near borders
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- Flags cluttering the view
- Inconsistent zoom functionality
- Route tracking drops without saving
Requested features
18 requests- Pause/resume tracking during hikes
- Search feature for trails and landmarks
- Apple Watch app support
- CarPlay integration
- Slope shading visualization
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- Ability to select and download multiple tiles at once
- Background map downloading
- Map transfer between devices
- iCloud backup for GPS tracks
- Older USGS topographic map versions
- Time stamps in GPX export for fitness tracking
- Quadrangle identification display
- Built-in compass with map orientation
- Laptop map manager for easier updates
- Community Q&A section
- Multiple color options for waypoints
- Auto-save feature for long recordings
- Larger downloadable map areas
SharpMap
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Topo Maps US
No in-app purchases
SharpMap
No in-app purchases








