Mapboard GIS vs MapDraw App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mapboard GIS
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.
- 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
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Mapboard GIS is an iPad app for drawing maps with an Apple Pencil. Mapboard combines the intuitive workflow of pen-and-paper mapping with the precision, flexibility, and scale-independence of geospatial information systems (GIS). Its forward-looking design helps beginner and expert mappers produce multiscale, topologically consistent geologic maps. MOTIVATION AND DESIGN Mapboard GIS was born out of frustration with both paper– and GIS-based mapping workflows. It is primarily designed for geologists but is potentially useful in many situations demanding interpretive mapping. Mapboard attempts to bring digital mapping closer to the intuitive experience provided by paper. A sophisticated open-source spatial engine drives simple tools for drawing, erasing, and reshaping features. Outputs are natively compatible with common GIS software. Mapboard allows mapping time to be spent refining interpretations instead of fighting with technical tools. KEY FEATURES - Editing tools geared towards pen-based mapping - Powerful and intuitive reshaping, snapping, and erasing - Iterative topology solver to fill map units - Sophisticated onboard Spatialite GIS engine - Project files natively readable by standard GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS, etc.) - User-configurable data types for line and polygon features - Tether to remote PostGIS for work across large datasets and real-time collaboration - Interoperable with standard formats (mbtiles, Spatialite, PostGIS) and open-source + commercial software OTHER FEATURES - Load MBTiles basemaps - Satellite, streets, and topographic basemaps - Dark mode support - Geologic line types TERMS OF USE: https://mapboard-gis.app/terms-of-service PRIVACY POLICY: https://mapboard-gis.app/privacy CHANGELOG: https://mapboard-gis.app/docs/ios/releases
MapDraw App
Annotate images from maps or your own photos with text, lines, and pins. Plan layouts for roofs, roads, and buildings. Save your visual notes directly to your device.
- Draw on map images
- Annotate uploaded photos
- Add text, lines, and pins
- Map roof, road, and building layouts
- Save drawings to device
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Draw on an image captured from a map, or upload a photo to draw on. Map out roof structures, road layouts, building layouts, etc using text, lines, and pins. Save drawings to your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MapDraw App at none against Mapboard GIS's 1. MapDraw App also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and ratings volume (7 vs 2). Mapboard GIS's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 18 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On price and ads 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
Both are free to download. Mapboard GIS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. MapDraw App asks for nothing beyond the download.
Mapboard GIS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Mapboard GIS's written reviews are positive against 75% of MapDraw App's.
Mapboard GIS ships an update every 2 months, MapDraw App every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mapboard GIS | MapDraw App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better | 4.3 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 75.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 18 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daven Quinn | Bobby Westman |
Customer experience
Mapboard GIS
MapDraw App
In-app purchases
Mapboard GIS
- Full Version$29.991 Year
MapDraw App
No in-app purchases








