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
This app allows users to sketch, annotate, and plan routes directly on a world map. It supports importing and exporting geographic data files and offers tools for drawing and pathfinding. Users can also share their map creations online.
- Draw and annotate on world maps
- Pathfinding tools
- Import GeoJSON and GPX files
- Export data for sharing
- Journaling and illustration on maps
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Map Canvas is a tool for planning, journalling and illustration on Apple map. This app comes with a set of tools for drawing, annotating and pathfinding. Data can be imported as GeoJSON and GPX files.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Map Canvas at fortnightly against Mapboard GIS's every 2 months. Map Canvas also leads on ratings volume (98 vs 2) and device support (4 vs 1). Mapboard GIS's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 79%) and iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Mapboard GIS against 4.5 for Map Canvas. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Map Canvas has 98 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Mapboard GIS's written reviews are positive against 79% of Map Canvas's.
Mapboard GIS ships an update every 2 months, Map Canvas fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mapboard GIS | Map Canvas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) | 4.5 (98 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 78.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 98 — 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 | 5 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$1.99
- Donation$2.99









