# Paper Maps vs Map Data Explorer

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Paper Maps at 43% against Map Data Explorer's 0%. Paper Maps also leads on rating (3.9 vs 2.0) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Paper Maps sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Map Data Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Paper Maps holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Paper Maps has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Paper Maps's written reviews are positive against 0% of Map Data Explorer's.

Paper Maps ships an update every 3 weeks, Map Data Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and August 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Paper Maps | Map Data Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paper-maps/id1147385120/reviews)** | [2.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/map-data-explorer/id1591995115/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **13** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **42.9% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 59 MB | 138 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Abbro Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/880528039) | [Tech Maven GeoSpatial LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1459067502) |

## What reviewers say

### Paper Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paper-maps/id1147385120)

This app allows you to view and edit digital maps with support for various file formats. You can customize maps by adding placemarks, recording tracks, and drawing shapes. It also offers real-time annotation sharing and useful tools like a theodolite.

**Highlights:** View PDF, TIFF, KAP, KML files, Cloud integration (iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox), Add placemarks and record tracks, Draw lines and shapes, Real-time annotation sharing, Theodolite and georeferencer tools

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Map | $0.99 | one-time |
| Map | $1.99 | one-time |
| Map | $2.99 | one-time |
| Map | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map | $4.99 | one-time |
| Unlock data export | $4.99 | one-time |


### Map Data Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/map-data-explorer/id1591995115)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TMG Elevate API | $4.99 | per year |
| Map Data Explorer Subscription | $4.99 | per year |
| TMG Vector Conversion API | $14.99 | per year |
| MapBox RGB PNG Elevation Tiles | $24.99 | per year |
| GeoRequest Area of Interest | $99.99 | per year |
| Pre-Staged Data Downloading | $199.99 | per year |
| Tile Downloader Module | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Paper Maps free?

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

### Is Map Data Explorer free?

Map Data Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Paper Maps or Map Data Explorer?

Paper Maps is rated higher. Paper Maps averages 3.9 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Map Data Explorer averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Paper Maps or Map Data Explorer have ads?

Neither Paper Maps nor Map Data Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Paper Maps or Map Data Explorer?

Paper Maps ships an update every 3 weeks, and Map Data Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, Paper Maps was updated on September 14, 2026 and Map Data Explorer on August 12, 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.*