# CalTopo vs Summit & Back Again

The clearest difference is ratings volume: CalTopo at 7.6K against Summit & Back Again's 4. CalTopo also leads on chart position (#141 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Summit & Back Again 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 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

## The numbers

| Metric | CalTopo | Summit & Back Again |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (7.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltopo-backcountry-mapping/id1460038458/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/summit-and-back-again/id6780240001/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7.6K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 56.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | — |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#141** | — |
| Size | 165 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CalTopo LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460038457) | [Joshua Niedermeier](https://appshunter.io/developer/6780240273) |

## What reviewers say

### CalTopo

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

**Currently charting:** #141 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


### Summit & Back Again

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/summit-and-back-again/id6780240001)

This app helps you track your hiking adventures and log your climbs. It automatically detects when you reach a summit, records your routes with GPS, and allows you to import past hike data. Enjoy detailed maps, weather forecasts, and earn achievements for your climbs.

**Highlights:** Automatic summit detection, Offline GPS tracking, Import hike history (GPX), Topographic and trail maps, Weather forecasts for summits, Earn achievements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CalTopo free?

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

### Is Summit & Back Again free?

Summit & Back Again is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, CalTopo or Summit & Back Again?

Summit & Back Again is rated higher. CalTopo averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7.6K ratings, while Summit & Back Again averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do CalTopo or Summit & Back Again have ads?

Neither CalTopo nor Summit & Back Again shows ads.

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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.*