Comparison

OpenMapTiles vs Map Data Explorer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenMapTiles

Access and control map data with this application. Download vector tiles in MBTiles format for offline use and integrate them into your own app development projects. Customize map styles and host them on your servers.

Highlights
  • Offline map functionality
  • OpenStreetMap vector tiles
  • MBTiles format
  • Source code available
  • Customizable map styling
  • Server hosting options
Features
Read full description

Maps under your control! Get the source code and detailed OpenStreetMap vector tiles saved in MBTiles format - usable offline, with your GPS location. The OpenMapTiles team (https://openmaptiles.org/) made this app as a starter for your app development! Try offline map functionality by downloading a street map for the whole planet, country or city of your choice. The map data can also be embedded and distributed together with your app! The complete source code of this mobile application is available for re-branding and customization - just add your business logic and extra mapping functionality with open-source Mapbox SDK. By using OpenMapTiles.org project, you can design and style the maps according to your needs, host the map tiles on your servers (even on a standard Apache web hosting), create optimised map extracts for offline use and unlimited redistribution. You can simply make your own independent maps for any place on a planet! Compatible raster tiles can be generated with MapTiler software (http://www.maptiler.com/). For more advanced editing functionality, drawing of the features, attaching photos and collecting field data we have developed GeoEditor mobile app (https://www.maptiler.com/mobile/). It is available including source code too! We offer support, consulting and contracted development of mobile applications, including geodata processing and creating of vector and raster map tiles in custom coordinate systems. For more information see https://openmaptiles.com/ and https://www.klokatnech.com/

About

Map Data Explorer

This advanced mapping application supports various data formats including GeoJSON, MBTILES, and GPKG. It offers tools for drawing, editing vector data, and collecting dynamic information. Visualize terrain in 3D and utilize a suite of navigation and measurement features.

Highlights
  • Vector tile basemaps
  • User-loaded GeoJSON, MBTILES, GPKG data
  • Map catalog support
  • Vector data drawing and editing
  • 3D terrain and building visualization
  • Advanced data collection forms
  • Coordinate conversion and measurement tools
Features
Read full description

Map Data Explorer is a advanced mapping app powered by vector tile basemaps (TMG OSM vector tiles, MapBox and others) with configurable stylesheets Supports user loaded device GeoJSON,Raster tiles from MBTILES and GPKG and vector tiles from MBTILES. Supports user loaded Map Catalog (JSON) of internet mapping content (with catalog building screen) XYZ PNG/JPG Raster Tiles PBF Vector Tiles GeoJSON Local map tiles in mbtiles and gpkg Includes additional layers users can enable: vector overlays (Reference Grids, TimeZones and US State Boundaries) Draw/digitize vector data and support editing and assigning attributes. Map Supports Tilting to display 3D terrain and 3D Buildings (only some basemaps support 3D buildings ) Currently, terrain is not available offline. Map Tools: - Search - places, addresses - Advanced dynamic data collection forms with form builder - Draw/Digitize Data Creation and Editing and export as GeoJSON - Information Box for geojson data - Measure linear and Area - Geolocation & Coordinate Widget (Lat Long and MGRS and zoom level) and share location - Go to Lat Long - Placemarks (spatial bookmarks) (with import and export of Waypoints GeoJSON, KML and GPX) - Basic Route Planning with import of Waypoints (KML and GPX) - Connection to other Navigation Apps - GPS Recorder with background recording and export or track - View Spot Elevation - Display Military Symbology (App6/MilSpec2525C) GeoJSON Schema easily shared with other apps - Radius Ruler/Range Rings - Coordinate Converter (to/from projected coordinates or geographic and GRIDS - MGRS, GARS, WHAT3WORD) Includes an in-app vector converter to convert GIS data (Shapefiles, GPKG, GPX, KML, CSV, WKT to GeoJSON) must be 4326 Includes in-app coordinate converter to convert to /from different coordinate systems and GRIDS (MGRS,GARS, etc) Wifi Sharing - access device files from web browser File Manager To manage files Create Forms with in-app or web form designer with JSON Schema Load a form design and swap between forms Collect any form data Other features: Vector Conversion and Publishing API to convert local vector GIS Data and also publish to PostGIS database tables. Added Button links to TMG Map Data Explorer website for all in-app purchase screen Serve OGC GPKG -GeoPackage with Vector Tiles new OGC extensions Support for any SRS for raster tiles in GPKG (tested with 3857 and 3395) Support for any SRS for Vector Tiles in GPKG (tested with 3857 and 3395) Real-Time Data Module (Network Link KML and Internet KML, ESRI GeoServices REST API and GeoRSS) display on the map and update at set frequency Button to view attributes from GPKG Vector Features 2nd Non Map View – Office documents (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), PDF Viewer, EPUB Viewer, User links web pages and File Manager User loaded GeoJSON support for simple style spec and Marker Symbols ESRI GeoServices REST API (FeatureServer) in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise Sync – download GeoJSON and Synchronize edited GeoJSON. Elevate API - submit geojson point and return back with Elevation, MGRS, GARS, What3Words, PlaceKey, Pluscode properties GeoRequest Area of Interest API for submitting jobs for offline data Pre-staged data downloading of ready to download data Area of interest downloading of online map data: Tile Downloader that supports building mbtiles from tile layers (XYZ/TMS, WMTS and Dynamic and cached mapping services (ESRI MapServer, ImageServer, OGC WMS) and downloading GeoJSON from WFS and MapServer and FeatureServer. Terms of Use: https://mapexplorer.techmaven.net/eula/

Screenshots

OpenMapTiles2 screens
Map Data Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Map Data Explorer at 2.0 against OpenMapTiles's 1.0. Map Data Explorer also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). OpenMapTiles's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and review sentiment (17% vs 0%). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Map Data Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. OpenMapTiles asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Map Data Explorer holds the better App Store score, 2.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 17% of OpenMapTiles's written reviews are positive against 0% of Map Data Explorer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OpenMapTiles ships an update every 7 months, Map Data Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and August 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
OpenMapTiles versus Map Data Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenMapTilesMap Data Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (3 ratings)2.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKlokan TechnologiesTech Maven GeoSpatial LLC

Customer experience

OpenMapTiles

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive16.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative66.7%

Map Data Explorer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

OpenMapTiles

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Map Data Explorer

Subscriptions6
  • TMG Elevate API7 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Map Data Explorer Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • TMG Vector Conversion API7 Days trial$14.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • MapBox RGB PNG Elevation Tiles7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • GeoRequest Area of Interest7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Pre-Staged Data Downloading7 Days trial$199.991 Year
One-time1
  • Tile Downloader Module$4.99

Questions

Is OpenMapTiles free?
OpenMapTiles is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Map Data Explorer free?
Map Data Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OpenMapTiles or Map Data Explorer?
Map Data Explorer is rated higher. OpenMapTiles averages 1.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Map Data Explorer averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do OpenMapTiles or Map Data Explorer have ads?
Neither OpenMapTiles nor Map Data Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenMapTiles or Map Data Explorer?
OpenMapTiles ships an update every 7 months, and Map Data Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, OpenMapTiles was updated on September 5, 2026 and Map Data Explorer on August 12, 2026.

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