Comparison

Old Satellite Map JAPAN vs TopoRec

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

Head to head
About

Old Satellite Map JAPAN

Explore historical aerial views of Japan by comparing current satellite imagery with maps from the 1970s. This app allows you to visualize how landscapes have changed over time.

Highlights
  • Compare present satellite map with 1970s satellite map
  • View historical aerial photographs
  • Visualize landscape changes over time
  • Subscription to hide ads
  • Restore purchases across devices
Features
Read full description

A map app that displays aerial photographs of Japan taken in the 1970s. You can compare today's map side by side with 1970s aerial photography. [Features] - Displays Google Maps and 1970s aerial photographs side by side - Detects and shows your current location - Switch to full screen to explore the 1970s map - Switch between 9 generations with the year dial: 1928 / 1936-1942 / 1945-1950 (US Army) / 1961-1969 / 1974-1978 / 1979-1983 / 1984-1986 / 1988-1990 / 2007-2012 - Coverage differs by year and location. The app automatically detects which years are available at the point you are viewing (1974-1978 covers the whole country; 1928 covers the city of Osaka; 1936-1942 covers Tokyo's 23 wards and the Osaka area) [Subscription] - To hide ads, please purchase the subscription at "Purchase" menu in this app. - When changing device, you can restore it for free at "Purchase" menu in this app only if you use the device with the same Apple ID as when you purchased it. - To cancel your subscription, you can cancel it in "Settings app" > "Your name" > "Subscriptions". [Source] - The historical aerial photographs are provided by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI). [Terms of service] https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

TopoRec

Explore historical and modern maps with this powerful viewer. Discover locations, record tracks, edit areas, and import/export data. Ideal for historians, archaeologists, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • View historical and modern online maps
  • Capture and edit points, areas, and tracks
  • Import and export data (GPX compatible)
  • Filter maps by type and scale
  • Create custom lines and areas
Features
Read full description

TopoRec – The powerful map viewer for historical & modern maps Explore the world through maps! TopoRec gives you access to both historical and current map data. Discover locations, collect position data, edit areas, record tracks, and export or import your data – all in one app. Perfect for: • Historians & archaeologists • Metal detector enthusiasts • Map lovers & outdoor explorers • History buffs with a curiosity for the past Features at a glance: • View online maps (historical & modern) • Capture & edit points, areas, and tracks • Import & export data (incl. GPX) • Filter maps by type and scale • Create your own lines and areas • Internet connection required Free use with time limitation: All features can be used free and without restrictions for a short time. After approx. 2 minutes per session, a Premium subscription is required to continue without limitations. TopoRec Premium – Your benefits: • Unlimited access to all features • Exclusive extras & new updates • Priority support Subscription info: The annual subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Auto-renewal can be turned off at any time in the account settings. Legal information: • End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Privacy Policy: https://toporec.com/privacy_policy/datenschutzerklaerung.html Rediscover maps – with TopoRec!

Screenshots

Old Satellite Map JAPAN3 screens
TopoRec4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: TopoRec at none against Old Satellite Map JAPAN's shown. TopoRec also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 68%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Old Satellite Map JAPAN sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and TopoRec sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $17.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Old Satellite Map JAPAN ships an update weekly, TopoRec every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Old Satellite Map JAPAN versus TopoRec: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOld Satellite Map JAPANTopoRec
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.3% of reviews90.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShigeo NakamotoEnrico Hoffmann

Customer experience

Old Satellite Map JAPAN

Written reviews60 reviews
Positive68.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative23.3%

TopoRec

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative4.8%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Old Satellite Map JAPAN

Subscriptions2
  • One Month$1.991 Month
  • One Year$17.991 Year
1 purchases

TopoRec

Subscriptions1
  • Premium3 Days trial$17.991 Year

Questions

Is Old Satellite Map JAPAN free?
Old Satellite Map JAPAN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TopoRec free?
TopoRec is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Old Satellite Map JAPAN or TopoRec have ads?
Old Satellite Map JAPAN shows ads; TopoRec does not.
Which is updated more often, Old Satellite Map JAPAN or TopoRec?
Old Satellite Map JAPAN ships an update weekly, and TopoRec every 9 days. Most recently, Old Satellite Map JAPAN was updated on November 2, 2026 and TopoRec on November 4, 2026.

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