# Hex Map Maker vs Calamus

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hex Map Maker at none against Calamus's 15. Hex Map Maker also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 33%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Calamus sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Hex Map Maker asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.3 for Hex Map Maker against 3.3 for Calamus. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47 and 83 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of Hex Map Maker's written reviews are positive against 33% of Calamus's.

Hex Map Maker ships an update fortnightly, Calamus monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hex Map Maker | Calamus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (47 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hex-map-maker/id1357521031/reviews) | [3.3 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calamus/id1457518364/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 47 | **83** |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 32.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 19 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Friedman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1357521030) | [TrapStreet Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/1457518363) |

## What reviewers say

### Hex Map Maker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hex-map-maker/id1357521031)

Easily create and print old-school style RPG hex maps for tabletop games. Choose from various symbols and hex types, adjust map size, and save your creations locally. Print your maps to add custom details for your campaigns.

**Highlights:** Pointy-top or flat-top hexes, Customizable map size, Seven map symbols, Pinch-to-zoom and pan, Print map sections or full map, Save maps locally, Offline map creation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Calamus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calamus/id1457518364)

Create expansive battlemaps with hand-drawn tiles for tabletop RPGs. Design custom character tokens and host real-time games where players can move their own pieces. Engage in robust chat, sending messages as yourself or any in-game token.

**Highlights:** Create large battlemaps, Dozens of hand-drawn tiles, Custom PC, NPC, FOE tokens, Host real-time games, Player character movement, Robust in-game chat, Send messages as tokens

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Calamus Player Only | $0.99 | per month |
| Full Version - Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Calamus Monthly Subscription | $3.49 | per month |
| Full Version - Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Calamus Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| More Tokens Slots (12) | $0.99 | one-time |
| More Tokens Slots (30) | $0.99 | one-time |
| More Tokens Slots (24) | $0.99 | one-time |
| All Epic Token Icons | $0.99 | one-time |
| 2x2 Token Ring | $0.99 | one-time |
| More Map Slots (6) | $0.99 | one-time |
| More Tokens Slots (6) | $0.99 | one-time |
| Full Roommaker | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Epic Token Rings | $2.99 | one-time |
| Player Enhanced Version | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Pretty interface and icons
- 👍 Easy to start making maps
- 💡 Great for D&D campaigns
- 👍 Good art style
- 🚀 Fast to fix bugs

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Difficult to correct mistakes
- ❌ No undo option
- ❌ Clunky with Apple Pencil
- ❌ Missing assets even with subscription
- ❌ Walls erase when removing objects

**Reported bugs**

- No undo option
- Walls erase when removing objects
- Rune password login issues
- Water turns light blue when saving/cropping
- App repeatedly asks for password

**Requested features**

- Add undo option
- Improve Apple Pencil support
- Add more assets like columns
- Add desert themed items
- Add steering wheel and crows nest


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hex Map Maker free?

Hex Map Maker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Calamus free?

Calamus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Hex Map Maker or Calamus?

Hex Map Maker and Calamus are both rated 3.3 out of 5 on the App Store, from 47 and 83 ratings respectively.

### Do Hex Map Maker or Calamus have ads?

Neither Hex Map Maker nor Calamus shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hex Map Maker or Calamus?

Hex Map Maker ships an update fortnightly, and Calamus monthly. Most recently, Hex Map Maker was updated on October 6, 2026 and Calamus on October 10, 2026.

---

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