# Gaia GPS vs BASE map

The clearest difference is chart position: Gaia GPS at #7 against BASE map's unranked. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Gaia GPS sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year and BASE map sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Gaia GPS ships an update monthly, BASE map every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gaia GPS | BASE map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (32K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gaia-gps-mobile-trail-maps/id1201979492/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **32K** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 137 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TrailBehind](https://appshunter.io/developer/315985618) | [JAKE LEWIS ORTON](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713968068) |

## What reviewers say

### Gaia GPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gaia-gps-mobile-trail-maps/id1201979492)

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Grossing · Navigation, #64 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Discover trails, campsites, and routes with detailed topographic maps and GPS navigation. Plan your adventures with offline maps, weather updates, and distance tracking. Explore hiking, off-roading, camping, and skiing with this comprehensive outdoor companion.

**Highlights:** Topographic maps, GPS navigation, Offline maps, Route planning, Distance tracking, Weather updates, Camping site discovery

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No longer available - Member | $19.99 | per year |
| Gaia GPS Premium | $59.90 | per year |
| No Longer Available - Outside+ | $71.90 | per year |
| Gaia GPS Premium with Outside+ | $89.90 | per year |
| Outside Plus Test Intro Offers | $89.99 | per year |
| Gaia GPS Test Intro Offers | $999.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent offline functionality
- 🗺️ Detailed and customizable maps
- 🧭 Accurate GPS tracking and navigation
- 📸 Ability to add photos to tracks
- 🔍 Useful map overlays (e.g. property boundaries)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable app performance
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔍 Confusing map/feature management
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🇬🇧 Limited functionality for non-US users

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Unreliable offline map downloads
- GPS location inaccuracies
- Syncing issues between app and web portal

**Requested features**

- Improved route planning tools (e.g. distance/elevation between waypoints)
- Better organization and management of saved tracks/waypoints
- More map data coverage for international users
- Customizable map layers and display options


### BASE map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/base-map/id6470670905)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BASE map monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| BASE map yearly | $20.00 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Gaia GPS free?

Gaia GPS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BASE map free?

BASE map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Gaia GPS or BASE map have ads?

Neither Gaia GPS nor BASE map shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Gaia GPS or BASE map?

Gaia GPS ships an update monthly, and BASE map every 3 weeks. Most recently, Gaia GPS was updated on October 24, 2026 and BASE map on October 6, 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.*