Comparison

LiveTopo vs Topo Maps 2

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

Head to head
About

LiveTopo

Access detailed topographic and geologic maps for exploration and understanding the natural world. Save locations and tracks for free, with offline map access for US public lands available via subscription.

Highlights
  • Topographic and geologic map access
  • Save favorite locations and tracks
  • Real-time hiking metrics (pace, distance, altitude)
  • Offline maps for US public lands
  • Detailed geological information
  • Free trial for subscription features
Read full description

LiveTopo gives you full fidelity access to the worlds best topographic and geologic maps. Perfect for hikers, explorers, nature lovers, and anyone who wants to understand more of the world around them. You can save your favorite locations and hiking tracks without a subscription. When hiking, get realtime metrics like pace, distance and altitude change. With a small subscription (and a free trial), you get full access to offline maps for selected US public lands: National Parks & Monuments, National Forest lands, and even BLM lands. No limits on downloads (except how much your phone can store). With version 2, you also get access to the worlds best geologic maps which can be downloaded and used while in the field. These maps get you detailed information about the composition and geologic history of the land around you.

About

Topo Maps 2

Access detailed topographic maps and satellite imagery for the US and Canada, usable offline. Record and share tracks, plan routes with 2D/3D visualization, and view geolocated photos. Offers hybrid map modes and offline search capabilities.

Highlights
  • Offline topographic maps
  • 2D and 3D map views
  • Track recording and sharing
  • Route planning and visualization
  • Hybrid map mode
  • Offline search
  • Geolocated photo display
Features
Read full description

Topographic maps and satellite imagery for the United States and Canada from the US Geological Survey, US Forest Service and Natural Resources Canada in 2D and 3D. No network connection needed once maps are installed. Record your track, and share GPX files with other apps and devices. Hybrid map mode combines topo with imagery. Panorama mode shows silhouette of what's visible from anywhere on the map. Draw routes on the map; plot graphs of speed and altitude. "Fly" along routes in 3D. Offline search. Show your geolocated photos on the map. If you have our original Topo Maps or Topo Maps for iPad app installed, its maps will be shared with this app. End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

LiveTopo4 screens
Topo Maps 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Topo Maps 2 at 4.1 against LiveTopo's 3.5. Topo Maps 2 also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 0%) and ratings volume (40 vs 10). LiveTopo's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.2). 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. LiveTopo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Topo Maps 2 sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Topo Maps 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 40 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of LiveTopo's written reviews are positive against 38% of Topo Maps 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LiveTopo ships an update every 2 weeks, Topo Maps 2 every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
LiveTopo versus Topo Maps 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLiveTopoTopo Maps 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (10 ratings)4.1 (40 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews37.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1040 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB223 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTerraTrace CorporationMappendix Limited

Customer experience

LiveTopo

All ratings10 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Topo Maps 2

All ratings35 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative62.5%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

LiveTopo

Subscriptions2
  • LiveTopo Monthly1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • LiveTopo Yearly3 Months trial$9.991 Year
1 purchases

Topo Maps 2

Subscriptions1
  • Detailed Maps - 1 year3 Days trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is LiveTopo free?
LiveTopo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Topo Maps 2 free?
Topo Maps 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, LiveTopo or Topo Maps 2?
Topo Maps 2 is rated higher. LiveTopo averages 3.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Topo Maps 2 averages 4.1 from 40 ratings.
Do LiveTopo or Topo Maps 2 have ads?
Neither LiveTopo nor Topo Maps 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LiveTopo or Topo Maps 2?
LiveTopo ships an update every 2 weeks, and Topo Maps 2 every 5 weeks. Most recently, LiveTopo was updated on November 3, 2026 and Topo Maps 2 on November 3, 2026.

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