# Outcrop vs Mapboard GIS

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mapboard GIS at 100% against Outcrop's 0%. Mapboard GIS also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.7). Outcrop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mapboard GIS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. Outcrop asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mapboard GIS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Outcrop's written reviews are positive against 100% of Mapboard GIS's.

Outcrop ships an update every 5 weeks, Mapboard GIS every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Outcrop | Mapboard GIS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outcrop/id1056810833/reviews) | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapboard-gis/id1446188315/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Next-Shot](https://appshunter.io/developer/1056810832) | [Daven Quinn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1388611117) |

## What reviewers say

### Outcrop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outcrop/id1056810833)

This app aids geologists in field studies by allowing them to capture high-resolution images of outcrops. Users can interpret geological features, add annotations, take measurements, and export data to construct 3D geological models.

**Highlights:** High-resolution outcrop imaging, Interpretation of facies, structures, and boundaries, Annotation and measurement tools, Dip and azimuth measurement, GPS location integration, 3D geological model export (GOCAD format)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Mapboard GIS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapboard-gis/id1446188315)

This iPad app allows users to draw field maps using an Apple Pencil, combining the ease of pen-and-paper with the precision of GIS. It's designed for geologists and others needing interpretive mapping, offering intuitive tools for creating topologically consistent geologic maps.

**Highlights:** Pen-based editing tools, Intuitive reshaping and snapping, Iterative topology solver, Onboard Spatialite GIS engine, Native GIS software compatibility, User-configurable data types, Tether to remote PostGIS

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Outcrop free?

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

### Is Mapboard GIS free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Outcrop or Mapboard GIS?

Mapboard GIS is rated higher. Outcrop averages 1.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Mapboard GIS averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do Outcrop or Mapboard GIS have ads?

Neither Outcrop nor Mapboard GIS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Outcrop or Mapboard GIS?

Outcrop ships an update every 5 weeks, and Mapboard GIS every 2 months. Most recently, Outcrop was updated on October 2, 2026 and Mapboard GIS on October 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.*