Mapboard GIS vs Pointscape
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
Pointscape
View and analyze large LiDAR scans directly on your mobile device. Measure distances, angles, and areas on-site, annotate findings in 3D, and generate PDF reports before leaving. Integrates with AI assistants for advanced analysis.
- Open E57, LAS, LAZ, COPC, PLY, and more LiDAR formats
- On-site measurement of distance, area, and height
- 3D annotation and issue pinning
- Generate one-tap PDF reports
- Offline functionality
- AI integration for scan analysis
- Team collaboration and cloud syncing
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Pointscape is a point cloud viewer for iPad and iPhone. Open multi-gigabyte E57, LAS, LAZ and COPC LiDAR scans on the device already in your pocket, measure on site, pin findings in 3D, and hand over a PDF report before you leave. Free to download, no account required. BUILT FOR THE FIELD Pointscape is the point cloud viewer for AEC: surveyors, scanning service firms, BIM and VDC teams, engineers, and contractors who do not sit at a workstation. Open the registered scan on site, check it against what you see, and record the finding where it sits. OPENS ANYTHING • E57, LAS, LAZ, COPC, and PLY, plus XYZ, PCD, BPF, CSV, and TXT • Multi-gigabyte files open without waiting for a full download • Import from Files, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box • Works offline on site. Also runs on Apple silicon Macs. MEASURE AND INSPECT • Distance, area, height, and angle, with snap to point • Pin notes and issues directly on the scan in 3D • Filter by classification to isolate ground, vegetation, or buildings • Eye-Dome Lighting for crisp edges on dense scans • Color by RGB, height, intensity, or classification. Adjustable point size and shape. REPORT BEFORE YOU LEAVE • One-tap PDF report with the project address, annotated snapshots, and measurements • Works on scans that live only in the cloud, nothing to download first AI ON YOUR SCANS Add the Pointscape plugin to the AI assistant you already use, through the open MCP standard. Ask it to check a slab against tolerance, find gaps in coverage, clean up classification or fly the camera for a client. Issues and measurements land in your project and its PDF report. Nothing is shared until you turn it on per scan. Add AI to Pro or Cloud. Needs your own AI account; Pointscape runs no AI model. PROJECTS AND TEAMS • Keep every scan, report, and note for a site together in one project • Upload a project to the cloud and stream it to any device; recent files stay offline • Share projects with teammates in a workspace, synced across iPhone and iPad PLANS • Free: open and view point clouds, up to 3 projects • Pro: measurements, PDF reports, all coloring modes, classification filters, unlimited projects. 7-day free trial. • Cloud: everything in Pro plus cloud storage, streaming, offline downloads, and team workspaces • Add AI to any plan: your own AI on your scans, via MCP Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account. Manage subscriptions in iOS Settings. Terms of Service: https://pointscape.ai/terms Privacy Policy: https://pointscape.ai/policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Pointscape at 5.0 against Mapboard GIS's 3.3. Pointscape also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). Mapboard GIS's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). 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 Pointscape sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Pointscape holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.
Mapboard GIS ships an update every 2 months, Pointscape every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mapboard GIS | Pointscape |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 47 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daven Quinn | Alexey Ledovskiy |
Customer experience
Mapboard GIS
Pointscape
In-app purchases
Mapboard GIS
- Full Version$29.991 Year
Pointscape
- Pointscape Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Pointscape Pro + AI (Monthly)7 Days trial$39.991 Month
- Pointscape Cloud+AI (Monthly)7 Days trial$69.991 Month
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- Cloud 200GB + AI (Monthly)$89.991 Month
- Cloud 500GB + AI (Monthly)$119.991 Month
- Pointscape Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$149.991 Year
- Pointscape Pro + AI (Annual)7 Days trial$299.991 Year
- Pointscape Cloud + AI (Annual)7 Days trial$549.991 Year
- Cloud 200GB + AI (Annual)$709.991 Year
- Cloud 500GB + AI (Annual)$949.991 Year
Questions
Is Mapboard GIS free?
Is Pointscape free?
Which has better reviews, Mapboard GIS or Pointscape?
Do Mapboard GIS or Pointscape have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mapboard GIS or Pointscape?
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