Comparison

Map Stretch vs Map Data Explorer

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

Head to head
About

Map Stretch

Overlay custom images onto interactive maps to navigate using your device's GPS and compass. Record, edit, and share your routes and drawings. Access hundreds of public maps from the National Park Service and other users.

Highlights
  • Overlay custom images onto interactive maps
  • Navigate with GPS and compass
  • Record, edit, and share routes
  • Access public National Park Service maps
  • Import/export maps in KML/KMZ formats
Features
Read full description

View hundreds of public maps from the National Park Service and other users. Can't find a map? Stretch your own image onto the interactive map, then use your compass and GPS to navigate with ease. Map Stretch features an easy to use interface with no hassles or hidden fees of any kind, EVER! Map Stretch now features GPS tracking to record your route. Tracks and drawings can be easily edited, saved and shared with others. A Quick Overlay Example: You are handed a brochure with a map highlighting interesting places to visit... With Map Stretch, you can: - Find that someone has already stretched and shared the map from your brochure and add it to your map with a single tap. OR - Snap a photo of the map in the brochure. - Stretch it to match the map on your phone. - Know exactly where you are (and which direction you are facing) on the brochure map at all times. Details: + Map Stretch is completely free and requires no login or registration. + Sharing your stretched photos is optional and is done anonymously. + Map Stretch Lines and Overlays can be imported and exported in Google Earth kml and kmz formats.

About

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.

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
Read full description

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

Map Stretch3 screens
Map Data Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Map Stretch at 78% against Map Data Explorer's 0%. Map Stretch also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Map Data Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Map Stretch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Map Stretch holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Map Stretch has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Map Stretch's written reviews are positive against 0% of Map Data Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Map Stretch ships an update every 5 days, Map Data Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Map Stretch versus Map Data Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMap StretchMap Data Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (10 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings10 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWalk About AppsTech Maven GeoSpatial LLC

Customer experience

Map Stretch

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

Map Data Explorer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Map Stretch

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Map Data Explorer

Subscriptions6
  • 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
Show 3 more
  • 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
One-time1
  • Tile Downloader Module$4.99

Questions

Is Map Stretch free?
Map Stretch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Map Data Explorer free?
Map Data Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Map Stretch or Map Data Explorer?
Map Stretch is rated higher. Map Stretch averages 4.2 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Map Data Explorer averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Map Stretch or Map Data Explorer have ads?
Neither Map Stretch nor Map Data Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Map Stretch or Map Data Explorer?
Map Stretch ships an update every 5 days, and Map Data Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, Map Stretch was updated on October 1, 2026 and Map Data Explorer on September 15, 2026.

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