# Mapboard GIS vs MapDraw App

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mapboard GIS | MapDraw App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapboard-gis/id1446188315/reviews)** | [4.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapdraw-app/id1471554859/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **7** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 18 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 69 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Daven Quinn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1388611117) | [Bobby Westman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1471554858) |

## 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 |


### MapDraw App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapdraw-app/id1471554859)

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.

**Highlights:** Draw on map images, Annotate uploaded photos, Add text, lines, and pins, Map roof, road, and building layouts, Save drawings to device

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mapboard GIS free?

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

### Is MapDraw App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mapboard GIS or MapDraw App?

Mapboard GIS is rated higher. Mapboard GIS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while MapDraw App averages 4.3 from 7 ratings.

### Do Mapboard GIS or MapDraw App have ads?

Neither Mapboard GIS nor MapDraw App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mapboard GIS or MapDraw App?

Mapboard GIS ships an update every 2 months, and MapDraw App every 18 months. Most recently, Mapboard GIS was updated on September 24, 2026 and MapDraw App on September 17, 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.*