# Forest Maps 2 vs HeliPlates

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HeliPlates at none against Forest Maps 2's 1. HeliPlates also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Forest Maps 2's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 17 months) and ratings volume (594 vs 3). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Forest Maps 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HeliPlates asks for nothing beyond the download.

HeliPlates holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Forest Maps 2 has 594 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Forest Maps 2 ships an update every 6 weeks, HeliPlates every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Forest Maps 2 | HeliPlates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (594 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forest-maps-2/id1261518983/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heliplates/id1262922778/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **594** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 78.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 17 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 95 MB | 0 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kinnaman Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/679806187) | [California Department of Transportation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1193696576) |

## What reviewers say

### Forest Maps 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forest-maps-2/id1261518983)

Access detailed maps of all U.S. National Forests on your mobile device. Save favorite locations and synchronize them across devices. Offline map downloads and track recording are available with a Pro upgrade.

**Highlights:** U.S. Forest Service maps, Continuous map view, Favorite spot markers, iCloud synchronization, Offline map downloads, GPS location tracking, Track recording and export

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent maps
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💯 Reliable and accurate
- 🗺️ Detailed topographical maps
- 📥 Ability to download entire forest maps

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezing
- 🗺️ Maps can be outdated in some areas
- 💰 Paid upgrade required for full functionality
- 📍 Difficulty in dropping precise pins or markers

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatibility issues with iOS 13
- Tracking feature not always working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to import/export waypoints and locations
- Integration with other navigation apps
- Overlays for MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) data
- Browser version for route planning
- More customization options for pins and markers


### HeliPlates

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heliplates/id1262922778)

This app provides detailed information on hospital heliports across California, including navigation coordinates, dimensions, and facility details. Users can view heliports on an interactive map or by hospital name, with aerial photos and approach paths included. Data can be saved for offline access.

**Highlights:** Interactive map of California hospital heliports, Detailed heliport information, Navigational coordinates, Aerial photos with approach paths, Offline data saving, Search by region, county, or hospital name

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Forest Maps 2 free?

Forest Maps 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is HeliPlates free?

HeliPlates is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Forest Maps 2 or HeliPlates?

HeliPlates is rated higher. Forest Maps 2 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 594 ratings, while HeliPlates averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Forest Maps 2 or HeliPlates have ads?

Neither Forest Maps 2 nor HeliPlates shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Forest Maps 2 or HeliPlates?

Forest Maps 2 ships an update every 6 weeks, and HeliPlates every 17 months. Most recently, Forest Maps 2 was updated on October 21, 2026 and HeliPlates on October 20, 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.*