# HeliPlates vs IGNIS | Wildfire Operations

The clearest difference is update cadence: IGNIS | Wildfire Operations at every 2 weeks against HeliPlates's every 17 months. IGNIS | Wildfire Operations also leads on ratings volume (55 vs 3). HeliPlates's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

HeliPlates holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IGNIS | Wildfire Operations has 55 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

HeliPlates ships an update every 17 months, IGNIS | Wildfire Operations every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HeliPlates | IGNIS | Wildfire Operations |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heliplates/id1262922778/reviews)** | [4.8 (55 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ignis-wildfire-operations/id1663559375/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **55** |
| Positive reviews | — | 91.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 0 MB | 182 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [California Department of Transportation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1193696576) | [Ignis Technologies, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1663559377) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### IGNIS | Wildfire Operations

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ignis-wildfire-operations/id1663559375)

This app provides essential fireline intelligence and mapping tools for wildland firefighters. It centralizes critical information, allowing users to overlay maps, access weather forecasts, and utilize fire-specific symbology. Offline collaboration features are also available for team coordination.

**Highlights:** Overlay GeoPDF maps on dynamic base maps, Access wildland fire layers and weather forecasts, Offline base map downloads, Fire-specific symbology and reference documents, Offline team collaboration via Bluetooth mesh, Record tracks, draw lines, and calculate areas

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HeliPlates free?

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

### Is IGNIS | Wildfire Operations free?

IGNIS | Wildfire Operations is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HeliPlates or IGNIS | Wildfire Operations?

HeliPlates is rated higher. HeliPlates averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while IGNIS | Wildfire Operations averages 4.8 from 55 ratings.

### Do HeliPlates or IGNIS | Wildfire Operations have ads?

Neither HeliPlates nor IGNIS | Wildfire Operations shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HeliPlates or IGNIS | Wildfire Operations?

HeliPlates ships an update every 17 months, and IGNIS | Wildfire Operations every 2 weeks. Most recently, HeliPlates was updated on October 20, 2026 and IGNIS | Wildfire Operations on October 30, 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.*