# DroneSense vs CalTopo

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DroneSense at 100% against CalTopo's 56%. CalTopo's advantage is ratings volume (7.5K vs 32) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CalTopo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CalTopo has 7.5K ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of DroneSense's written reviews are positive against 56% of CalTopo's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

DroneSense ships an update monthly, CalTopo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DroneSense | CalTopo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dronesense/id1455647091/reviews) | **[4.8 (7.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltopo-backcountry-mapping/id1460038458/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 32 | **7.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 56.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#127** |
| Size | 375 MB | 165 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DroneSense INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1245774563) | [CalTopo LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460038457) |

## What reviewers say

### DroneSense

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dronesense/id1455647091)

This platform enables public safety agencies to manage drone operations, from pilot control and asset management to real-time situational awareness for incident commanders. It offers automated flight logging and a centralized system for organizing personnel, hardware, and flight history.

**Highlights:** Professional drone piloting, Live video streaming, Automated flight logging, Asset and risk management, Real-time situational awareness, Collaborative operations hub

**In-app purchases:** none


### CalTopo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltopo-backcountry-mapping/id1460038458)

**Currently charting:** #127 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Plan and navigate off-grid adventures with detailed offline maps and real-time weather forecasts. Trusted by professionals, this app offers seamless syncing and collaborative planning for backcountry pursuits.

**Highlights:** Offline map downloads, Satellite imagery, Route planning, GPS tracking, Weather forecasting, Collaborative map sharing, Slope angle shading

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful mapping features
- 💡 Extensive data layers
- 👍 Detailed trail and terrain information
- 👍 Useful for SAR operations
- 👍 Great for planning outdoor adventures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable mobile app
- 🐛 Maps not always loading properly
- 🐛 Slow map rendering
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Difficult to use for casual users

**Reported bugs**

- Trails and tracks disappearing
- Coordinate display issues
- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Incompatibility with older devices

**Requested features**

- Add 3D map view
- Implement route snapping to trails
- Improve offline map download capabilities
- Add photo geotagging functionality
- Implement course-up map orientation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DroneSense free?

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

### Is CalTopo free?

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

### Which has better reviews, DroneSense or CalTopo?

CalTopo is rated higher. DroneSense averages 4.6 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while CalTopo averages 4.8 from 7.5K ratings.

### Do DroneSense or CalTopo have ads?

Neither DroneSense nor CalTopo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DroneSense or CalTopo?

DroneSense ships an update monthly, and CalTopo every 2 weeks. Most recently, DroneSense was updated on October 14, 2026 and CalTopo on October 21, 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.*