Comparison

Garmin Explore™ vs Loko

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

Head to head
About

Garmin Explore™

Navigate off-grid with this app, which pairs with a compatible Garmin device for trip planning, mapping, and navigation even without Wi-Fi or cellular service. Plan routes, download maps for offline use, and sync data to the cloud.

Highlights
  • Off-grid navigation
  • Trip planning
  • Offline map downloads
  • Pair and sync with Garmin device
  • Activity library
  • Cloud storage
  • LiveTrack location sharing
Currently charting
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OFF-GRID NAVIGATION When paired with your compatible Garmin device(1), the Garmin Explore app lets you use your mobile device for outdoor navigation, trip planning, mapping and more — with or without Wi-Fi® connectivity or cellular service. SEARCH TOOL Easily locate geographic points — such as trailheads or mountain summits — associated with your adventure. STREAMING MAPS For pre-trip planning, you can use the Garmin Explore app to stream maps when you’re within cellular or Wi-Fi range — saving valuable time as well as storage space on your mobile device. Download maps for offline use when venturing outside cellular range. PAIR, SYNC AND SHARE With Garmin Explore, you can pair your smartphone or tablet with your compatible Garmin device to sync and share data for off-grid adventures. Use downloadable maps for navigation anywhere. EASY TRIP PLANNING Plan your next trip by downloading maps and creating courses. Specify your start and finish points, and automatically create a course you can sync with your compatible Garmin device. ACTIVITY LIBRARY Under the Saved tab, review and edit your organized data, including your saved waypoints, tracks, courses and activities. See map thumbnails to easily recognize your trips. SAVED COLLECTIONS The collections list allows you to quickly find all data related to any trip — making it easy to sort and locate the course or location you’re looking for. CLOUD STORAGE The waypoints, courses and activities you’ve created will automatically sync to your Garmin Explore web account when you’re within cellular or Wi-Fi range, preserving your activity data with cloud storage. A Garmin account is required for storing your data in the cloud. LIVETRACK™ With the use of the LiveTrack™ feature, loved ones can follow your location in real time(2) and see data such as distance, time and elevation. What You Get with Garmin Explore • Unlimited map downloads; access topographic maps, USGS quad sheets and more • Aerial imagery • Waypoints, tracking and route navigation • High-detail GPS trip logging and location sharing • Unlimited cloud storage of routes, waypoints, tracks, and activities • Online trip planning 1. https://explore.garmin.com/appcompatibility 2. When used with your compatible smartphone, the Garmin Explore® app and your compatible inReach® technology-enabled Garmin device. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.

About

Loko

Features
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The Loko app is designed to enhance your experience with the Loko GPS tracker devices. With a simple and intuitive interface, you can effortlessly monitor the location of your loko devices, ensuring peace in mind and security. Stay informed about battery life and distance from the operator, all displayed on a user-friendly map. Download the Loko app now, and take control of your tracking needs!

Screenshots

Garmin Explore™4 screens
Loko4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: Garmin Explore™ at #103 against Loko's unranked. Loko's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin Explore™ ships an update monthly, Loko every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Garmin Explore™ versus Loko: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin Explore™Loko
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (1.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#103 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size452 MB99 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperGarminnoliLab OU

Bugs and requests

Garmin Explore™

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Sync failures between app and Garmin devices
  • Disappearing or corrupted user data
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS/Android versions
  • Unreliable offline map downloads

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to edit waypoint coordinates
  • More customization options for map layers and displays
  • Improved route planning and navigation features
  • Better syncing and data management between app and devices
  • Support for more Garmin device models

Loko

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Garmin Explore™

No in-app purchases

None

Loko

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Garmin Explore™ free?
Garmin Explore™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Loko free?
Loko is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Garmin Explore™ or Loko have ads?
Neither Garmin Explore™ nor Loko shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin Explore™ or Loko?
Garmin Explore™ ships an update monthly, and Loko every 6 weeks. Most recently, Garmin Explore™ was updated on October 28, 2026 and Loko on October 25, 2026.

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