# Global Mapper Mobile vs CartoLake

The clearest difference is rating: CartoLake at 5.0 against Global Mapper Mobile's 3.7. CartoLake also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). Global Mapper Mobile's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Global Mapper Mobile sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per year and CartoLake sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CartoLake holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Global Mapper Mobile has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Global Mapper Mobile ships an update every 4 months, CartoLake weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Global Mapper Mobile | CartoLake |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/global-mapper-mobile/id1097875766/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cartolake-map-studio/id1604655745/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **15** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 126 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.2** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blue Marble Geographics](https://appshunter.io/developer/424089128) | [CartoLake, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1604655747) |

## What reviewers say

### Global Mapper Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/global-mapper-mobile/id1097875766)

This application allows users to view and collect GIS data in the field using their mobile device's GPS. It supports various data layers and offers tools for drawing, tracking, and form-based data collection, with advanced features available through an in-app purchase.

**Highlights:** Vector, raster, and terrain data display, GPS location display and feature creation, Drawing, tracking, and form-based data collection, Image capture and Picture Point creation, Advanced GPS support for GNSS devices, RTK correction via NTRIP client, Offline data access and custom online sources

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Module | $49.99 | per year |


### CartoLake

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cartolake-map-studio/id1604655745)

Create and georeference maps with various file formats. Supports imagery, scanned maps, and export options. Ideal for generating custom mapping content.

**Highlights:** Georeference imagery and scanned maps, Import Shapefile, KML, mbtiles, GeoJSON, PNG, Create simple maps, Export maps to various formats, Create ForeFlight Content Packs, Publish georeferenced imagery

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FAA Sectionals | $0.99 | per month |
| Basic Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Topographic Base Map | $9.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Global Mapper Mobile free?

Global Mapper Mobile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CartoLake free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Global Mapper Mobile or CartoLake?

CartoLake is rated higher. Global Mapper Mobile averages 3.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while CartoLake averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Global Mapper Mobile or CartoLake have ads?

CartoLake shows ads; Global Mapper Mobile does not.

### Which is updated more often, Global Mapper Mobile or CartoLake?

Global Mapper Mobile ships an update every 4 months, and CartoLake weekly. Most recently, Global Mapper Mobile was updated on October 2, 2026 and CartoLake on October 13, 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.*