# Topo Maps US vs SharpMap

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Topo Maps US | SharpMap |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (210 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-maps-us/id1033846196/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **210** | — |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 5 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DC Cloud Apps, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/353416960) | [Łukasz Stempek](https://appshunter.io/developer/1810778483) |

## What reviewers say

### Topo Maps US

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-maps-us/id1033846196)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and simple user interface
- 📱 Works completely offline with downloaded maps
- 💰 Free app with no subscriptions or ads
- 🗺️ High-quality USGS topographic maps
- 📍 Accurate GPS location tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 White/gray blocks appearing on offline maps
- 🔋 High battery drain during route recording
- ❌ Limited color options for flags (only red)
- ⚠️ Route recording stops unexpectedly
- 🔍 No search functionality for trails/landmarks

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Pause/resume tracking during hikes
- Search feature for trails and landmarks
- Apple Watch app support
- CarPlay integration
- Slope shading visualization


### SharpMap

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sharpmap/id6745105772)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Topo Maps US free?

Topo Maps US is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SharpMap free?

SharpMap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Topo Maps US or SharpMap have ads?

Neither Topo Maps US nor SharpMap shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Topo Maps US or SharpMap?

Topo Maps US ships an update every 4 months, and SharpMap every 3 weeks. Most recently, Topo Maps US was updated on September 18, 2026 and SharpMap on September 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*