CarryMap vs Map Data Explorer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CarryMap
This app enables seamless field work with offline maps and spatial geodata collection. Create, edit, and analyze points, lines, and polygons, attach media, and record voice comments. Navigate using GPS, measure distances, and export data in various formats.
- Offline map management
- Create and edit spatial features
- Attach media and voice notes
- GPS tracking and navigation
- Measure distances and areas
- Data export in multiple formats
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CarryMap app offers a comprehensive set of tools for collecting, processing and analyzing spatial geodata. It provides seamless field work without authorization, payments and in-app purchases. It is designed to work with maps in a specific mobile format CMF2. To export your ArcGIS maps to this format, use CarryMap Builder, an extension to ArcGIS Desktop. Maps management - Download maps of only needed areas and store them in a convenient catalog. The maps provided in the catalog were created based on OpenStreetMap data. - Upload your own maps prepared in ArcGIS and work with them offline. - Use reliable methods for your maps protection. - Create fully functional projects for work with all the needed information. - Save selected map areas as bookmarks. Working with objects - Create and edit point, line, and polygon features on the map. - Add media attachments (photo, video and documents) to features. - Record voice comments when creating and describing features on the map. - Create points on-the-fly using your device camera. - Create points on the map with a single tap while moving, add description later if needed. - Add graphic marks as text, arrows or free hand graphic. GPS tracks and navigation - Use external Bad Elf GPS receiver to find your current location. - Save tracks automatically without being distracted by editing them as you go. - Use features on the map as landmarks or destination points on your route. - Search and identify features offline. - Measure distances and areas. Data export - Share coordinates of features on the map by sending a file or a link. - Upload maps in MBTILES* formats. - Share collected data in GPKG (GeoPackage), GPX, KML/KMZ and SHP formats. *Maps in MBTILES format with raster tile type only are supported. The application is accessible to a wide range of users, regardless of GIS skills, and can be used in various fields, including electrical energy industry, agriculture, geology and geodesy, housing and utility, environmental protection, water and land resources management, ecology and incident management, urban management, etc. Take the opportunity to create your own branded application for viewing and working with mobile maps based on CarryMap for your company. Read more: https://carrymap.com/en/features/branding/ Read more about all the capabilities of CarryMap Builder extension at https://builder.carrymap.com/en/ To learn more about CarryMap application, visit https://carrymap.com/en/overview/ Watch educational videos on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarryMap/videos Your questions or comments are welcome at support@xtools.pro
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: CarryMap at 80% against Map Data Explorer's 0%. CarryMap also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Map Data Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. CarryMap asks for nothing beyond the download.
CarryMap holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CarryMap has 200 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of CarryMap's written reviews are positive against 0% of Map Data Explorer's.
CarryMap ships an update every 4 months, Map Data Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CarryMap | Map Data Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (200 ratings) — better | 2.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 200 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 119 MB | 138 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | XTools Pro, Inc | Tech Maven GeoSpatial LLC |
Customer experience
CarryMap
Map Data Explorer
In-app purchases
CarryMap
No in-app purchases
Map Data Explorer
- 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
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- 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
- Tile Downloader Module$4.99
Questions
Is CarryMap free?
Is Map Data Explorer free?
Which has better reviews, CarryMap or Map Data Explorer?
Do CarryMap or Map Data Explorer have ads?
Which is updated more often, CarryMap or Map Data Explorer?
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