PubPass vs The Black Map
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Discover bars and breweries
- Exclusive beer deals
- Digital passport stamping
- Nationwide participating locations
- Save on craft beer
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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.
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.
- Rate and review pubs
- Explore recommended pubs
- Find the best Guinness
- Share detailed reviews and photos
- Social features
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | PubPass | The Black Map |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (1.7K ratings) — better | 4.3 (18 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 51.7% of reviews — better | 44.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K — better | 18 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 113 MB | 126 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | PubPass | The Black Map LTD |
Customer experience
PubPass
The Black Map
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
PubPass
No in-app purchases
The Black Map
- Deluxe7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Deluxe14 Days trial$14.991 Year
