Global Mapper Mobile vs Geo Data Collector
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Global Mapper Mobile
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.
- 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
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Bring your GIS workflow to the field. Global Mapper Mobile® is a powerful iOS application for viewing and collecting GIS data. It utilizes the GPS capabilities of mobile devices to provide situational awareness and locational intelligence for remote mapping projects. A perfect complement to the desktop version of Global Mapper, the mobile app provides maps-in-hand functionality for engineers, surveyors, wildlife managers, foresters, and anyone whose job requires access to spatial data in remote locations. Global Mapper Mobile can display vector, raster, and elevation data layers that have been transferred from the desktop version of the software. It also provides tools for drawing, tracking, and form-based data collection using pre-configured attributes and picklists. Global Mapper Mobile Base Version (Free) The base version of Global Mapper Mobile is free of charge and provides an array of features and functions, including: • Vector, raster, and terrain data display • GPS location display • Point, line, and polygon feature creation using GPS location • Editing of existing vector features • Capture of images in the field • Creation of Picture Points from geotagged images • Attribute and feature notation recording for new or existing vector features • Online access to Open Street Map data Global Mapper Mobile Pro The Pro version of Global Mapper Mobile, available as an in-app purchase, supplements the functionality of the base version with an array of professional-grade tools, including: • Advanced GPS support for connection to high-accuracy GNSS devices from vendors such as Bad Elf, EOS, Juniper, and others • RTK correction via built-in NTRIP client • GPS Averaging • Terrain shader and water level display options • Custom online source options and online data saving for offline use • Simultaneous feature creation • Viewshed creation • Volume calculation • Data reprojection • Address searching • Geopackage and GeoPDF format support Global Mapper Mobile Pro is available as an in-app purchase. The license is based on an annual subscription from the date of purchase that can be renewed each year. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Privacy Policy: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.bluemarblegeo.com/licensing-policy/
Geo Data Collector
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Geo Data Collector turns your iPhone or iPad into an offline-first field GIS for mapping, asset inspection, structured data collection, surveying calculations, and construction layout job preparation. FIELD DATA COLLECTION • Capture points, lines, and polygons with attributes and photos. • Build forms in the app or import shareable JSON form designs. • Mark fields as required or optional and use text, number, date, checkbox, radio-button, and selection controls. • Review, search, edit, delete, and return to collected features on the map. EXTERNAL GNSS, RTK & NTRIP • Connect a compatible Bluetooth GNSS receiver that outputs NMEA 0183. • Stream validated RTCM 3 corrections from NTRIP v1/v2 RTN or CORS casters to the external rover. • Monitor fix type, receiver-reported accuracy, DOP, satellite count, signal quality, correction age, and data freshness. • Apply configurable quality gates, stable-fix checks, and ECEF/ENU point averaging before capture. • Preserve observations, occupations, antenna information, quality decisions, and available coordinate-operation provenance in versioned archives. The external receiver computes the RTK position solution. Achievable accuracy depends on the receiver, antenna, environment, correction service, configuration, and field procedures. SURVEYING & GEODESY TOOLS • Planar COGO inverse and forward calculations. • WGS84 geodesic inverse and direct calculations. • Polygon area, perimeter, orientation, and centroid. • Slope distance, grade, inclination, and elevation difference. • Stakeout deltas, Bowditch traverse adjustment, and angular-closure diagnostics. • WGS84 ECEF/UTM operations, explicit control localization, and auditable geodesy reports. CONSTRUCTION LAYOUT PREPARATION • Create and manage layout jobs and design targets. • Import targets from supported GeoJSON and CSV/ASCII point files. • Configure metric, international-foot, or US-survey-foot units and horizontal/vertical tolerances. • Build a 2D site localization from control pairs and review residual diagnostics. • Export as-built CSV, stake-report JSON, and Markdown field reports. OFFLINE MAPS & OPEN DATA • Work with GeoPackage, GeoJSON, raster MBTiles, and vector MBTiles. • Use online and offline basemaps, including vector, terrain/topographic, hillshade, satellite, and boundary layers where available. • Browse searchable attribute tables and control layer styling, visibility, opacity, and display order. • Convert supported vector formats, including zipped Shapefile, KML, GPX, CSV, and WKT, into app-ready data. FIELD OPERATIONS • Measure distance and area, record GPS tracks, search OpenStreetMap, save spatial bookmarks, and view coordinates in multiple formats. • Use offline field projects, field editing workflows, and geodesy/control reports. • Share files through supported cloud, FTP, WebDAV, and local Wi-Fi workflows. • Connect TAK Server and Meshtastic workflows for team position and messaging. Core collection and offline mapping do not require a proprietary server-side database. Some capabilities require compatible external hardware, network or correction services, imported data, or an in-app purchase. Geo Data Collector is a field mapping and construction aid. It does not replace a licensed surveyor, legal boundary determination, instrument calibration, or required professional quality-control procedures.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Geo Data Collector at fortnightly against Global Mapper Mobile's every 4 months. Global Mapper Mobile's advantage is iOS requirement (12.2 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Global Mapper Mobile sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per year and Geo Data Collector sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Global Mapper Mobile ships an update every 4 months, Geo Data Collector fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Global Mapper Mobile | Geo Data Collector |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (15 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 126 MB | 116 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Blue Marble Geographics | Tech Maven GeoSpatial LLC |
In-app purchases
Global Mapper Mobile
- Pro Module$49.991 Year
Geo Data Collector
- AppUpdate7 Days trial$14.991 Year
Questions
Is Global Mapper Mobile free?
Is Geo Data Collector free?
Do Global Mapper Mobile or Geo Data Collector have ads?
Which is updated more often, Global Mapper Mobile or Geo Data Collector?
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