# MotorTrend vs The Explorers

The clearest difference is ads: MotorTrend at none against The Explorers's shown. MotorTrend also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). The Explorers's advantage is review sentiment (55% vs 40%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MotorTrend sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and The Explorers sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

MotorTrend holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MotorTrend has 56K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 40% of MotorTrend's written reviews are positive against 55% of The Explorers's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

MotorTrend ships an update monthly, The Explorers every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | MotorTrend | The Explorers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (56K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/motortrend/id1039264027/reviews)** | [4.4 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-explorers/id1436285774/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **56K** | 88 |
| Positive reviews | 40.2% of reviews | **55.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Motor Trend Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447901559) | [The Explorers Network](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475751692) |

## What reviewers say

### MotorTrend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/motortrend/id1039264027)

Access the latest automotive news, in-depth car reviews, and a comprehensive buyer's guide to research your next vehicle. Explore historical magazine archives and find listings for vehicles in the marketplace.

**Highlights:** Breaking automotive news, Extensive Buyer's Guide, Car reviews and specs, Vehicle listings, 70+ years of magazine archives

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Motor Trend OnDemand subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Motor Trend subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Motor Trend OnDemand Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Motor Trend OnDemand Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Motor Trend OnDemand Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Motor Trend OnDemand subscription | $54.99 | per year |
| Motor Trend OnDemand Annual | $54.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Great content
- 💰 Good value
- 🎥 Fantastic original shows
- 🔍 Comprehensive automotive coverage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with glitches
- 🤔 Confusing navigation and UI
- 📺 Streaming issues on TVs
- 🔄 Lack of continuity between devices
- 🔒 Subscription issues and lack of refunds

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Streaming problems and playback issues
- Login and account management problems
- Incompatibility with some devices

**Requested features**

- Offline viewing and downloads
- Improved playlist and resume features
- Better organization of content and archives
- Consistent experience across devices


### The Explorers

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-explorers/id1436285774)

Explore and share Earth's wonders through photos and videos. Join a global community of creators and scientists to document biodiversity and natural heritage. Discover location-based content and contribute your own media to a growing planet inventory.

**Highlights:** Explore location-based content on a world map, Follow other Explorers' discoveries, Post photos and videos in original size, Private messaging with friends and Explorers, Zoom feature for detailed photo viewing, Access content up to 8K HDR with premium

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Explorers+ | $2.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MotorTrend free?

MotorTrend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is The Explorers free?

The Explorers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MotorTrend or The Explorers?

MotorTrend is rated higher. MotorTrend averages 4.8 out of 5 from 56K ratings, while The Explorers averages 4.4 from 88 ratings.

### Do MotorTrend or The Explorers have ads?

The Explorers shows ads; MotorTrend does not.

### Which is updated more often, MotorTrend or The Explorers?

MotorTrend ships an update monthly, and The Explorers every 6 weeks. Most recently, MotorTrend was updated on October 24, 2026 and The Explorers on October 24, 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.*