Mapboard GIS vs Map Canvas
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
Map Canvas
Create and share custom maps with drawing, annotation, and pathfinding tools. Supports collaboration via iCloud and offers map templates for illustrations. Import and export geographic data in GeoJSON and GPX formats.
- Drawing, annotation, and pathfinding tools
- Alternative map engine (Google Maps)
- iCloud map collaboration
- Map templates for illustrations
- GeoJSON and GPX file import
- GeoJSON export
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Map Canvas is a collaborative tool for planning, journalling and illustration on Apple Maps. Key features: 1. Tools for drawing, annotating and pathfinding. 2. Google Maps as alternative map engine for browsing. 3. Map collaboration via iCloud. 4. Map templates of countries and regions overlays for illustrations. 5. GeoJSON and GPX files import. 6. GeoJSON export.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Map Canvas at 4.5 against Mapboard GIS's 3.3. Map Canvas also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (110 vs 3). Mapboard GIS's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 81%) and iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and Map Canvas sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Map Canvas holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Map Canvas has 110 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Mapboard GIS's written reviews are positive against 81% of Map Canvas's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Mapboard GIS ships an update every 2 months, Map Canvas fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mapboard GIS | Map Canvas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (3 ratings) | 4.5 (110 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 81.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 110 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daven Quinn | Ka Chun Wong |
Customer experience
Mapboard GIS
Map Canvas
In-app purchases
Mapboard GIS
- Full Version$29.991 Year
Map Canvas
- 3-Days Free TrialFree
- Map Canvas Watch App$0.99
- Donation$2.99
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- Map Canvas Premium$4.99
