Comparison

PubPass vs The Black Map

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

Head to head
About

PubPass

Discover and explore local and national craft beer bars and breweries. Access exclusive deals on beer, such as discounted prices and buy-one-get-one offers, at participating locations. Simply show the app to redeem your savings and digitally stamp your progress.

Highlights
  • Discover bars and breweries
  • Exclusive beer deals
  • Digital passport stamping
  • Nationwide participating locations
  • Save on craft beer
Features
Read full description

PubPass is America's favorite craft beer passport. It’s the best way to explore great bars & breweries around town and across the country. As a member you’ll have access to beer deals such as $1 beers and 'buy one get one' (BOGO) beers not just in your home city, but at all participating PubPass locations. Simply show the app to your bartender or server to redeem. The best part? The deal will be available again in 30 days. Here's how it works: VISIT A BAR OR BREWERY: Great bars and breweries will appear on your map. SHOW THE APP: Show the app to your bartender or server and they’ll digitally stamp the page. SCORE DEALS ON BEER: Each spot will have a great selection of craft beers available with a special deal for PubPassers. *Deals may vary by city due to state regulations. Click app support for details.

About

The Black Map

Discover and review pubs, focusing on finding the best Guinness. Share detailed reviews, photos, and ratings to help others find their perfect pint. Includes social features for a connected pub exploration experience.

Highlights
  • Rate and review pubs
  • Explore recommended pubs
  • Find the best Guinness
  • Share detailed reviews and photos
  • Social features
Features
Read full description

Rate and review your favorite pints, explore recommended pubs, and find the best pint of Guinness near you. The Black Map allows you to share detailed reviews, photos, and ratings, ensuring every pour is just right. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or new to the stout scene, The Black Map is your ultimate companion for finding and enjoying the finest pints of Guinness. Now with social features! Terms & Conditions: https://www.theblackmap.co/tcs Privacy Policy: https://www.theblackmap.co/privacy

Screenshots

PubPass4 screens
The Black Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PubPass at 4.9 against The Black Map's 4.3. PubPass also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support 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. The Black Map sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. PubPass asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PubPass holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PubPass has 1.7K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of PubPass's written reviews are positive against 45% of The Black Map's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PubPass ships an update every 3 weeks, The Black Map fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PubPass versus The Black Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPubPassThe Black Map
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.7K ratings) — better4.3 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews51.7% of reviews — better44.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K — better18
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB126 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperPubPassThe Black Map LTD

Customer experience

PubPass

All ratings1,737 ratings
Positive98.2%
Neutral0.7%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive51.7%
Neutral3.4%
Negative44.8%

The Black Map

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive44.8%
Neutral13.8%
Negative41.4%

Bugs and requests

PubPass

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes on map screen
  • App crashes on launch or login screen
  • Unresponsive buttons and navigation

Requested features

2 requests
  • Expand to more locations, especially in Illinois and the Pacific Northwest
  • Fix compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

The Black Map

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

PubPass

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

The Black Map

Subscriptions2
  • Deluxe7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Deluxe14 Days trial$14.991 Year

Questions

Is PubPass free?
PubPass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Black Map free?
The Black Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PubPass or The Black Map?
PubPass is rated higher. PubPass averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while The Black Map averages 4.3 from 18 ratings.
Do PubPass or The Black Map have ads?
The Black Map shows ads; PubPass does not.
Which is updated more often, PubPass or The Black Map?
PubPass ships an update every 3 weeks, and The Black Map fortnightly. Most recently, PubPass was updated on September 23, 2026 and The Black Map on September 28, 2026.

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