# PubPass vs The Black Map

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). The Black Map's advantage is chart position (#182 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | PubPass | The Black Map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pubpass/id1260241223/reviews)** | [4.3 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-black-map/id6502400596/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | **51.7% of reviews** | 44.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#182** |
| Size | 113 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [PubPass](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435618771) | [The Black Map LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1737538073) |

## What reviewers say

### PubPass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pubpass/id1260241223)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent value with BOGO and 30-day reset
- 👍 Great for socializing and making new friends
- 👍 Wonderful way to explore new neighborhoods and spots
- 👍 Useful for finding cool breweries and bars when traveling

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and freezes on various iOS versions
- 🐛 App not working or unavailable in certain locations
- 🐛 Login and account issues, unable to access account

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes on map screen
- App crashes on launch or login screen
- Unresponsive buttons and navigation

**Requested features**

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


### The Black Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-black-map/id6502400596)

**Currently charting:** #182 Top Grossing · Food & Drink (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deluxe | $1.99 | per month |
| Deluxe | $14.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*