# Mapboard GIS vs ArchAIDE

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mapboard GIS at 100% against ArchAIDE's 0%. Mapboard GIS also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.3). ArchAIDE's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mapboard GIS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. ArchAIDE asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mapboard GIS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Mapboard GIS's written reviews are positive against 0% of ArchAIDE's.

Mapboard GIS ships an update every 2 months, ArchAIDE every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and June 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mapboard GIS | ArchAIDE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapboard-gis/id1446188315/reviews)** | [1.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/archaide/id1453513450/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 69 MB | 161 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Daven Quinn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1388611117) | [Inera s.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/786155258) |

## What reviewers say

### Mapboard GIS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapboard-gis/id1446188315)

This iPad app allows users to draw field maps using an Apple Pencil, combining the ease of pen-and-paper with the precision of GIS. It's designed for geologists and others needing interpretive mapping, offering intuitive tools for creating topologically consistent geologic maps.

**Highlights:** Pen-based editing tools, Intuitive reshaping and snapping, Iterative topology solver, Onboard Spatialite GIS engine, Native GIS software compatibility, User-configurable data types, Tether to remote PostGIS

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $29.99 | per year |


### ArchAIDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/archaide/id1453513450)

This tool assists archaeologists in identifying pottery fragments by analyzing images. It leverages an intelligent system trained on a reference database to classify decorations and forms, streamlining the documentation process for fieldwork.

**Highlights:** Automatic potsherd recognition, Image analysis for decoration and form, Reference database for classification, Save and archive identified sherds, Share information with the community, Paperless scientific references

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mapboard GIS free?

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

### Is ArchAIDE free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mapboard GIS or ArchAIDE?

Mapboard GIS is rated higher. Mapboard GIS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ArchAIDE averages 1.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do Mapboard GIS or ArchAIDE have ads?

Neither Mapboard GIS nor ArchAIDE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mapboard GIS or ArchAIDE?

Mapboard GIS ships an update every 2 months, and ArchAIDE every 2 weeks. Most recently, Mapboard GIS was updated on September 8, 2026 and ArchAIDE on June 3, 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.*