# CalTopo vs APRSSwift

CalTopo and APRSSwift both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of APRSSwift's written reviews are positive against 56% of CalTopo's. APRSSwift also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks) and device support (4 vs 2). CalTopo's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (7.6K vs 2). On price, rating, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. APRSSwift sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. CalTopo asks for nothing beyond the download.

APRSSwift 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. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of CalTopo's written reviews are positive against 100% of APRSSwift's.

CalTopo ships an update every 2 weeks, APRSSwift every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CalTopo | APRSSwift |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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/aprsswift/id6791003285/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7.6K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 56.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#133** | — |
| Size | 165 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CalTopo LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460038457) | [Sevket Bugra CANATA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1819329564) |

## What reviewers say

### CalTopo

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

**Currently charting:** #133 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


### APRSSwift

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aprsswift/id6791003285)

Track and message on the APRS network with your amateur radio callsign. View nearby stations on a live map, exchange text messages, and decode various packet types. Supports multiple connection methods and includes an Apple Watch app.

**Highlights:** Live APRS map with station tracking, Two-way APRS messaging, Full packet decoding, Multiple connection methods, Apple Watch app integration, SmartBeaconing for adaptive beaconing

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Support | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Support | $9.99 | one-time |
| Large Support | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CalTopo free?

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

### Is APRSSwift free?

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

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

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

### Do CalTopo or APRSSwift have ads?

Neither CalTopo nor APRSSwift shows ads.

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

CalTopo ships an update every 2 weeks, and APRSSwift every 5 days. Most recently, CalTopo was updated on November 3, 2026 and APRSSwift on October 31, 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.*