# Backroads vs Brownell

Backroads and Brownell are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

Backroads ships an update every 4 months, Brownell every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backroads | Brownell |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (62 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backroads/id1479238431/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **62** | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 173 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Backroads](https://appshunter.io/developer/1479238430) | [AXUS Travel LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/844650684) |

## What reviewers say

### Backroads

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backroads/id1479238431)

This app provides detailed information and daily route options for active travel adventures like biking and hiking. It offers helpful tips and regional information to enhance your journey. Your trip leaders are also available through the app for guidance.

**Highlights:** Daily route options, Trip schedules, Helpful tips, Regional information, Trip leader access

**In-app purchases:** none


### Brownell

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brownell/id1480231003)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backroads free?

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

### Is Brownell free?

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

### Do Backroads or Brownell have ads?

Neither Backroads nor Brownell shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backroads or Brownell?

Backroads ships an update every 4 months, and Brownell every 2 months. Most recently, Backroads was updated on October 7, 2026 and Brownell on October 11, 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.*