# CalTopo vs Yonderlust

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CalTopo at none against Yonderlust's 11. CalTopo also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). Yonderlust's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Yonderlust sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $59.99 per year. CalTopo asks for nothing beyond the download.

Yonderlust holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CalTopo has 7.6K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

CalTopo ships an update every 2 weeks, Yonderlust every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CalTopo | Yonderlust |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (7.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltopo-backcountry-mapping/id1460038458/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yonderlust/id1640710026/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7.6K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 56.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#137** | — |
| Size | 165 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CalTopo LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460038457) | [MOXY Outdoors, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1640710028) |

## What reviewers say

### CalTopo

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

**Currently charting:** #137 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


### Yonderlust

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yonderlust/id1640710026)

Discover and embark on self-guided adventures with local content, maps, and safety tips. Explore new places with curated trip information and checklists.

**Highlights:** Self-guided adventure trips, Free local content, Interactive maps, Checklists, Safety tips

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Access (1 Year) | $59.99 | per year |
| Paddle the Black River | $12.99 | one-time |
| Paddle Camp Masonboro Island | $12.99 | one-time |
| Doughton Park Adventure Run | $12.99 | one-time |
| Fastpack the VA Triple Crown | $14.99 | one-time |
| Backpack the Art Loeb Trail | $14.99 | one-time |
| Backpack Linville Gorge | $14.99 | one-time |
| Trail Run the Roan Highlands | $14.99 | one-time |
| Moab Winter Wonderland | $24.99 | one-time |
| Hut-to-Hut Presidential Range | $24.99 | one-time |
| Kiteboard the Outer Banks | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CalTopo free?

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

### Is Yonderlust free?

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

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

Yonderlust is rated higher. CalTopo averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7.6K ratings, while Yonderlust averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do CalTopo or Yonderlust have ads?

Yonderlust shows ads; CalTopo does not.

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

CalTopo ships an update every 2 weeks, and Yonderlust every 7 months. Most recently, CalTopo was updated on October 29, 2026 and Yonderlust on October 12, 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.*