Comparison

Bad Elf Flex vs EDDMapS

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Bad Elf Flex

This utility app enhances the functionality of Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini GNSS receivers. It allows users to monitor hardware health, adjust settings, and update firmware. For the Flex model, it also enables the purchase and application of tokens for advanced features and correction sources like SBAS and RTK.

Highlights
  • Monitor GNSS receiver health
  • Change hardware settings
  • Perform firmware updates
  • Purchase and load Flex Tokens
  • Enable hardware-based features
  • Access correction sources
Features
Read full description

This is the free companion utility app for the flexible, intuitive, and affordable Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini GNSS receivers. Designed for GIS and survey professionals, the Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini connect to your iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth and provide high-accuracy location data to ANY and ALL field data collection apps in your workflow. This app allows you to view the health of the Flex and Flex Mini hardware, change settings, and perform firmware updates. For the Bad Elf Flex, the app also supports purchasing and loading Flex Tokens into the hardware for enabling hardware-based features and correction sources. Several correction sources are supported including SBAS, RTK via NTRIP, and Atlas (L-band) satellite corrections. Visit https://bad-elf.com/ to learn more about the Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini GNSS receivers. NOTES: * This app requires a Bad Elf Flex or Flex Mini to operate. * Our "Bad Elf GPS" companion app supports our legacy mapping-grade receivers: Bad Elf GPS Pro, GPS Pro+, Surveyor, and GPS for Lightning dongle. * Continued use of the GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

EDDMapS

Document and map the distribution of invasive species with this user-friendly system. It allows for easy data submission, visualization, and querying, aiding in early detection and rapid response efforts. All data is reviewed by experts for accuracy.

Highlights
  • Document invasive species distribution
  • User-friendly mapping system
  • Data submission and querying
  • Interactive maps
  • Expert data verification
  • Early Detection and Rapid Response support
Features
Read full description

EDDMapS is a mapping system for documenting invasive species distribution. It is fast, easy to use, and doesn't require Geographic Information Systems experience. Launched in 2005 by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, it was originally designed as a tool for state Exotic Pest Plant Councils to develop more complete distribution data of invasive species. EDDMapS goal is to maximize the effectiveness and accessibility of the immense numbers of invasive species observations recorded each year. Why do we care? An invasive species is when a nonnative species causes or is likely to cause economic, environmental harm, or harm to human health. Invasive species negatively impact agriculture, recreation, natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and more. The first step is prevention of nonnative introduction. The second step is to map where the invasive species are found in the introduced area. How does it work? EDDMapS is a platform to document, display, and query the presence of invasive species. A simple, interactive Web interface engages participants to submit their observations or view results through interactive queries into the EDDMapS database. EDDMapS encourages users to participate by providing Internet tools that maintain their personal records and enable them to visualize data with interactive maps. Users simply enter information from their observations into the standardized reporting form, which allows specific information about the infestation and images to be added. Uploaded data entered is immediately loaded to the database for verification. Once data is reviewed as correct by an expert, it is available for viewing and download. Being able to see the current data of a species as it moves into a new area helps to facilitate Early Detection and Rapid Response programs (EDRR). EDRR programs help stop or control an invasive species before it becomes an unmanageable problem. All data is reviewed by expert verifiers to ensure all data is accurate prior to public availability. The data is freely available to everyone including scientists, researchers, land managers, land owners, educators, conservationists, ecologists, farmers, foresters, state, and national parks.

Screenshots

Bad Elf Flex4 screens
EDDMapS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: EDDMapS at 4.7 against Bad Elf Flex's 3.6. EDDMapS also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 40%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Bad Elf Flex's advantage is iOS requirement (15.5 vs 18.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EDDMapS holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EDDMapS has 120 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Bad Elf Flex's written reviews are positive against 57% of EDDMapS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bad Elf Flex ships an update every 3 months, EDDMapS monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Bad Elf Flex versus EDDMapS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBad Elf FlexEDDMapS
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (14 ratings)4.7 (120 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14120 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB251 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBad Elf, LLC.Charles T. Bargeron

Customer experience

Bad Elf Flex

All ratings14 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

EDDMapS

All ratings120 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral3.3%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral7.1%
Negative35.7%

In-app purchases

None

Bad Elf Flex

No in-app purchases

None

EDDMapS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bad Elf Flex free?
Bad Elf Flex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EDDMapS free?
EDDMapS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bad Elf Flex or EDDMapS?
EDDMapS is rated higher. Bad Elf Flex averages 3.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while EDDMapS averages 4.7 from 120 ratings.
Do Bad Elf Flex or EDDMapS have ads?
Neither Bad Elf Flex nor EDDMapS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bad Elf Flex or EDDMapS?
Bad Elf Flex ships an update every 3 months, and EDDMapS monthly. Most recently, Bad Elf Flex was updated on September 9, 2026 and EDDMapS on September 25, 2026.

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