Comparison

Tread® vs TraiLink

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

TraiLink

Stay connected with your group even when you're off the grid. This app allows you to see friends' locations on a map and send messages without needing a cellular signal. It's designed to work with compatible tracking devices.

Highlights
  • Real-time group member location tracking
  • Offline messaging
  • Group creation and management
  • Device settings modification
  • Disconnection notifications
Read full description

Keep your group connected off grid. TraiLink shows everyone in your group on the map and lets you message and send SOS alerts with no cell service, no satellite plan and no subscription. TraiLink devices talk directly to each other over long-range radio. Pair your phone with your TraiLink over Bluetooth, and the app does the rest. Built for snowmobiling, ATVing, hunting, fishing, backcountry trips and anywhere your phone shows "No Service." Don't have a TraiLink yet? Get one at trailink.ca See Your Group • Live positions of everyone in your group on the map, with no cellular connection • Speed, heading, distance and time since last update for each person • Group radar on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island during an adventure, showing how far away everyone is • Save multiple groups and switch between them. Each keeps its own members, chat and waypoints • Share a group and require a join code so only the people you invite can join Stay Safe • Send an SOS to alert your group if you need help • Receive an SOS from any TraiLink user in range, even if they aren't in your group • Off-grid messaging with your group • Low battery and reconnect alerts so you know your TraiLink is working Track Your Trips • Record your route, save it and overlay past routes on the map • Replay a trip as the trail draws, see your speed along the way and switch to a satellite map Control Your TraiLink • Update your TraiLink's firmware right from the app • Change device settings, name and colour, with most changes saving instantly • Choose Long range for maximum distance or Short range for more frequent updates when your group is close together • Standalone mode: clip a TraiLink on a person or machine and track it from your phone. The wearer doesn't need the app • Use repeaters to extend your coverage, and see nearby repeaters in their own list • Check your TraiLink's GPS signal strength at a glance • Dim at Night lowers LED brightness after sunset, worked out on your phone so it works offline Built For No Signal • Help guides and an app tour that work with no signal • Tips point out features as you go

Screenshots

Tread®4 screens
TraiLink4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TraiLink at 100% against Tread®'s 63%. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tread® ships an update monthly, TraiLink fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Tread® versus TraiLink: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTread®TraiLink
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (457 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings457 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.5 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size289 MB56 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperGarminAppPlusPlus Inc.

Customer experience

Tread®

All ratings456 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral2.2%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews400 reviews
Positive63.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative33.0%

TraiLink

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

TraiLink

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Tread®

No in-app purchases

None

TraiLink

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tread® free?
Tread® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TraiLink free?
TraiLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Tread® or TraiLink have ads?
Neither Tread® nor TraiLink shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tread® or TraiLink?
Tread® ships an update monthly, and TraiLink fortnightly. Most recently, Tread® was updated on November 7, 2026 and TraiLink on October 30, 2026.

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