Topo Maps US vs Apex Scout
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 USGS topographic maps of the United States and use them offline, with no account and no subscription. Topo Maps US is built for people who go where cell service doesn't: hikers, backpackers, hunters, anglers, paddlers, mountain bikers, geocachers, and anyone who wants a real topographic map in their pocket. MAPS Choose from three USGS map layers: standard topographic, aerial imagery with a topographic overlay, or plain aerial imagery. OFFLINE Tap the map squares you want and download them before you leave. Downloaded maps work with no Internet connection and use no cell data in the field. TRAILS AND POINTS OF INTEREST BUILT IN Every map download includes the trails, summits, lakes, campsites, and other named places in that area from OpenStreetMap, so you can search them by name while you're offline. TRAIL RECORDING Record where you go. Recorded trails show your path on the map with distance, elapsed time, and average speed. Recording stops automatically when you start driving, and any drive at the start or end of a trail is trimmed off. ELEVATION PROFILES Every recorded or imported trail gets an elevation profile with distance labels and color-coded grade shading. Drag along the chart to see the matching point on the map, its elevation, and the time you passed it. FLAGS Mark your current location or any spot on the map. Flags record coordinates and elevation, and you can add notes and organize them by color: geocaches, trailheads, summits, camps, and so on. NAVIGATION Pick a flag and follow the direction arrow, driven by your compass heading, with the distance remaining. Handy for geocaching and for finding your way back to camp or the car. LOCATION See where you are on the map, your elevation, speed, and the accuracy of the GPS fix. MEASURE Trace a route on the map to measure its distance, then save it as a trail to follow later. IMPORT AND SHARE Import trails and waypoints from GPX files and geocache LOC files. Share your flags and trails by email, Messages, or AirDrop as standard GPX files that work with any GPS unit or mapping software. Back up your maps and data to a computer over Wi-Fi. Designed for iPhone and iPad. Note: Continued use of GPS in the background can noticeably reduce battery life.
Apex Scout
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Apex Scout — Predictive Outdoor Safety Most backcountry apps show you where you are. Apex Scout tells you what's ahead. Apex Scout is a predictive safety platform for hikers, hunters, backpackers, anglers, and anyone who ventures beyond cell range. Instead of reacting to what's already happened, it forecasts the hazards on your route — weather, terrain, and wildlife — so you can make better decisions before you're in trouble. If you're constrained in your movement due to requiring a wheelchair or are color blind where other apps are hard to use, we have you covered as well. Apex Scout requires a paid subscription to access its features. New subscribers start with a 3-day free trial. PREDICTIVE SAFETY ALERTS Get ahead of danger with real-time, forward-looking alerts: *Weather and lightning warnings before storms reach you *Trail hazard alerts tuned to your activity *Wildlife activity predictions in supported regions *Alerts are tiered by severity so you always know what needs your attention now. SAFETY IS THE SAME ON EVERY TIER Apex Scout is a subscription service with three tiers. Every core safety alert is available on every tier at the same speed. No subscriber ever receives slower, later, or fewer safety warnings because of their plan. Higher tiers add capacity and convenience — never safety. WORKS WHEN NOTHING ELSE DOES Signal disappears the moment you need your map most. Apex Scout is built to work offline, not just online with an offline afterthought. *Download entire regions before you go — full topographic and satellite detail, stored on your device *Navigate with zero signal — your position, waypoints, routes, and tracks all work offline *Offline routing and coordinates — MGRS, lat/lon, and grid navigation keep working past the last bar *Your maps stay put — downloaded regions don't silently expire or vanish when you lose connection No signal, no problem. When you're deep in the backcountry and the map is the only thing between you and a wrong turn, it's there. PLAN AND SHARE YOUR TRIP Experts agree: never head into the backcountry without leaving a plan. Apex Scout makes it one tap. Build a trip plan with your route, timing, and gear checklist, then share it with the people you're leaving behind — so someone always knows where you are and when you're due back. COMMUNITY GROUND TRUTH See real conditions reported by real people on the trail right now — wildlife sightings, trail hazards, and weather observations. Confirm or dispute reports to help everyone stay informed. Community intelligence, live. EMERGENCY READY When something goes wrong, one tap sends your exact location — plus your recovery point, weather conditions, and gear list — to your emergency contacts by text and email. Built-in strobe and audible alerts help rescuers find you. KEEP YOUR PARTY TOGETHER Track your whole group on one map. See where every team member is, in real time, so no one gets left behind. The number of teammates you can connect with depends on your subscription tier. Apex Scout is not a substitute for a personal locator beacon, satellite communicator, or calling 911 when service is available. Always file a trip plan with a trusted person before you depart. Predictions are probabilistic and for informational purposes — you make the final call. Have suggestions or issues? Contact support@apexarsystems.com for help. SUBSCRIPTION All features above require an active subscription. Three tiers: Essential $9.99/mo or $99.99/yr, Premium $14.99/mo or $149.99/yr, Pro $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr. New subscribers get a 3-day free trial, which converts to a paid subscription unless cancelled at least 24 hours before it ends. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apexarsystems.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.apexarsystems.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Topo Maps US at none against Apex Scout's 6. Topo Maps US also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Apex Scout's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price 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. Apex Scout sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Topo Maps US asks for nothing beyond the download.
Topo Maps US ships an update every 2 months, Apex Scout every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Topo Maps US | Apex Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (215 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 215 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 79 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | DC Cloud Apps, LLC | Apex AR Systems, LLC |
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
Apex Scout
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Topo Maps US
No in-app purchases
Apex Scout
- Essential Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Premium Monthly3 Days trial$14.991 Month
- Pro Monthly3 Days trial$19.991 Month
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- Essential Annual3 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Premium Annual3 Days trial$149.991 Year
- Pro Annual3 Days trial$199.991 Year
Questions
Is Topo Maps US free?
Is Apex Scout free?
Do Topo Maps US or Apex Scout have ads?
Which is updated more often, Topo Maps US or Apex Scout?
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