Comparison

CarryMap vs Garmin Alpha

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Garmin Alpha

Track your dog's movements using cellular technology and your smartphone. This app works with a compatible Garmin dog tracking system to provide real-time location data and navigation features.

Highlights
  • Cellular dog tracking
  • Smartphone integration
  • VHF tracking signal support
  • Integrated mapping
  • Waypoint marking
Features
Read full description

Connect to the hunt with the Alpha® LTE dog tracker, using cellular technology (subscription required). Use your smartphone to track your dog’s movements with the Alpha® app. Connect your Alpha LTE tracking system to a compatible Garmin VHF dog tracking system (sold separately) to leverage either LTE or VHF tracking signals. Use the Alpha app to navigate and mark waypoints with integrated mapping.

Screenshots

CarryMap4 screens
Garmin Alpha4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CarryMap at 80% against Garmin Alpha's 24%. CarryMap also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.5) and monetization model (free vs subscription). Garmin Alpha's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CarryMap holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 200 and 127 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of CarryMap's written reviews are positive against 24% of Garmin Alpha's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CarryMap ships an update every 4 months, Garmin Alpha every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
CarryMap versus Garmin Alpha: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCarryMapGarmin Alpha
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (200 ratings) — better3.5 (127 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better23.9% of reviews
Number of ratings200 — better127
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB474 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperXTools Pro, IncGarmin

Customer experience

CarryMap

All ratings200 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral4.0%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Garmin Alpha

All ratings127 ratings
Positive59.8%
Neutral8.7%
Negative31.5%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive23.9%
Neutral19.6%
Negative56.5%

Bugs and requests

CarryMap

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Garmin Alpha

Reported bugs

31 issues
  • Cursor lag on opening
  • No distance, heading, or name on map when tracking dog
  • Tracks won't clear
  • Green screen when satellite map selected
  • Unable to view any data from Alpha 10 on the map
Show 26 more
  • Took away the option to track dog with TT25 Collar
  • Doesn't track the handheld most of the time
  • Dog tracking lags
  • Unpaired handheld won't re-pair
  • Not all dogs show up on the application
  • Broken recently, does not show dog collars anymore
  • Device constantly and continuously disconnects from app
  • Sync takes forever
  • Nothing shows up in the map from saved tracks
  • Records missing after completing sync
  • Confusing display and navigation of records
  • Map display badly needs a satellite map overlay option
  • No way to limit tracks by time
  • Handheld constantly crashes and turns off
  • App has a hard time pairing with Alpha 300i
  • Won't sync after pairing
  • Handheld won't connect after app download
  • Bark & treed notification only on handheld
  • Old explore app worked perfect and allowed merging of devices
  • Doesn't allow data merging
  • Won't easily connect to alpha
  • ISO update is worthless
  • Won't work on iPhone
  • Bluetooth pairing issues on iPhone 14pro
  • Device asks to pair, then connection failed instantly
  • App is terrible

Requested features

18 requests
  • Add yards as a unit of measure
  • Add watch app
  • Option to make corrections directly from the app
  • Easier to switch between Bluetooth devices
  • Option to connect multiple devices at once
Show 13 more
  • Add yards in the app
  • Share or print inventory tab
  • Use app with Apple CarPlay
  • Use app with Apple Watch
  • Add satellite map overlay option
  • Usable filter of tracks by time
  • Option for arrow always pointing up and map to spin
  • Integrate Alpha app to CarPlay
  • Allow colleagues to follow dogs with the app
  • Use Google Maps for non-initiated users
  • Add yards as an option
  • Add notifications for dog barks or trees
  • Option to save tracks on map indefinitely

In-app purchases

None

CarryMap

No in-app purchases

None

Garmin Alpha

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CarryMap free?
CarryMap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Garmin Alpha free?
Garmin Alpha is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CarryMap or Garmin Alpha?
CarryMap is rated higher. CarryMap averages 4.6 out of 5 from 200 ratings, while Garmin Alpha averages 3.5 from 127 ratings.
Do CarryMap or Garmin Alpha have ads?
Neither CarryMap nor Garmin Alpha shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CarryMap or Garmin Alpha?
CarryMap ships an update every 4 months, and Garmin Alpha every 3 weeks. Most recently, CarryMap was updated on September 21, 2026 and Garmin Alpha on September 23, 2026.

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