Comparison

Tread® vs Backtrack

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

Head to head
About

Tread®

Track friends, plan routes, and sync navigation data between your smartphone and powersport device. Access live weather and smart notifications for an enhanced off-road experience.

Highlights
  • Track up to 20 friends on map
  • Sync waypoints, tracks, and routes
  • Plan routes on smartphone
  • Import/export GPX files
  • Smart notifications
  • Live weather updates
Features
Read full description

Roam the unknown with the Tread® app. It lets you track up to 20 friends on the map of your smartphone and Tread® powersport navigator by using the Group Ride Mobile feature and syncs waypoints, tracks, routes and collections across devices. Easily plan routes on your smartphone with the same maps, vehicle profiles and route preferences you have on your Tread device. Users can import and export GPX files and get access to smart notifications and live weather. • Track up to 20 friends on the map of your smartphone and Tread® device by using the Group Ride Mobile1 feature • Wirelessly sync waypoints, tracks, routes and collections across your compatible smartphone and Tread® powersport navigator • Easily calculate faster time or adventurous routes on your smartphone with the same maps, vehicle profiles and route preferences you have on your Tread device • Import and export GPX files to try out new routes or revisit favorite rides • Keep your phone safely stowed away, and still get important messages and alerts via smart notifications2 on your Tread® device display when it’s paired with the Tread® app • Use the app to access live weather updates, viewable on your Tread® navigator’s display

About

Backtrack

Plan and navigate outdoor adventures like skiing, hiking, and biking with detailed maps and real-time weather. Collaborate with friends on shared routes and access backcountry ski information, including avalanche forecasts. Offers a free version with an optional Pro subscription for advanced features.

Highlights
  • Route planning and drawing
  • Collaborative map editing
  • Backcountry ski route information
  • Avalanche forecast and observations
  • Multi-layer map overlays
  • Real-time weather forecasts
Features
Read full description

Backtrack is an outdoor mapping application focused on helping you find and plan your next outdoor adventure. Whether it be backcountry skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or anything in between, Backtrack provides the tools and information you need to make a plan, share it with friends, and navigate safely. CREATE & SHARE MAPS - Plan your route by drawing your intended path. - Add markers to mark campsites, start points, and more. COLLABORATIVE MAPPING - Share maps with your travel partners to get everyone on the same page. - Edits by everyone are reflected in real-time. BACKCOUNTRY SKI - Explore over 800 backcountry ski routes with guidebook-like information. - Avalanche forecast & observations from your local avalanche center. - Scout ahead of time with Mountain View: 360º aerial imagery of popular backcountry ski areas POWERFUL MAP LAYERS - Slope angle shading - Sun exposure - Public lands - Avalanche accidents, observations, and forecast - Cell phone coverage - Ability to stack as many layers as you want WEATHER - Get forecasts along your route. - Real-time data from SNOTEL weather stations. DESKTOP APP - Visit backtrackmaps.com on your computer to map on the big screen. - Edits are synced across all your devices in real-time. SUBSCRIPTION - Use Backtrack for free - Optional subscription for Backtrack Pro: download offline maps, 3D maps, export GPX, and more. Backtrack Pro is available as an annual subscription managed through your iTunes account. Annual subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Auto-renew can be turned off anytime via iTunes Account Settings. LEGAL Terms of Use: https://www.backtrackmaps.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.backtrackmaps.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Tread®4 screens
Backtrack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tread® at none against Backtrack's 3. Tread® also leads on ratings volume (459 vs 115). Backtrack's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 63%) and chart position (#196 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Backtrack sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per year. Tread® asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Tread® against 4.5 for Backtrack. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 459 and 115 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of Tread®'s written reviews are positive against 80% of Backtrack's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tread® ships an update monthly, Backtrack fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Tread® versus Backtrack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTread®Backtrack
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (459 ratings)4.5 (115 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings459 — better115
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#196 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.515.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size289 MB127 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperGarminSlope LLC

Customer experience

Tread®

All ratings456 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral2.2%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews401 reviews
Positive63.1%
Neutral4.0%
Negative32.9%

Backtrack

All ratings101 ratings
Positive86.1%
Neutral4.0%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Bugs and requests

Tread®

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to save/load routes on mobile app
  • Inconsistent behavior when importing routes
  • Frequent disconnections between app and device
  • Lack of metric units and other regional support

Requested features

5 requests
  • Web/desktop app for route planning
  • Improved offline map coverage
  • Collaborative route planning features
  • Better organization and folder structure
  • Larger text/UI options for accessibility

Backtrack

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Tread®

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Backtrack

Subscriptions3
  • Backtrack Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Backtrack Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Backtrack Pro$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Tread® free?
Tread® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Backtrack free?
Backtrack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tread® or Backtrack?
Backtrack is rated higher. Tread® averages 4.5 out of 5 from 459 ratings, while Backtrack averages 4.5 from 115 ratings.
Do Tread® or Backtrack have ads?
Neither Tread® nor Backtrack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tread® or Backtrack?
Tread® ships an update monthly, and Backtrack fortnightly. Most recently, Tread® was updated on November 11, 2026 and Backtrack on November 7, 2026.

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