# BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps vs PermitNow

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PermitNow at none against BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps's 4. PermitNow also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.4). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. PermitNow asks for nothing beyond the download.

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps ships an update every 3 weeks, PermitNow fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps | PermitNow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brmb-maps-by-backroad-maps/id1528015531/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **26** | — |
| Positive reviews | 35.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 339 MB | 205 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.4 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mussio Ventures Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/991230796) | [PermitNow App Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1687143788) |

## What reviewers say

### BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brmb-maps-by-backroad-maps/id1528015531)

Navigate Canada's backcountry with detailed topographic maps and extensive points of interest for outdoor activities. Plan, track, and explore trails, fishing spots, hunting areas, and more, with offline capabilities for remote adventures.

**Highlights:** Topographic GPS maps with relief shading and contour lines, Current location tracking and real-time navigation, Offline map downloads for remote areas, Extensive points of interest for fishing, hunting, camping, and trails, Trip recording and custom waypoint creation, Cross-device access on smartphone, tablet, and desktop

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BRMB Maps PRO | $3.99 | per month |
| BRMB Monthly PRO Access | $6.99 | per month |
| BRMB Yearly PRO Access | $44.99 | per year |
| Yearly PRO Promo | $44.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Great maps and data
- 🇨🇦 Excellent for exploring Canada
- ⛰️ Detailed topos and satellite imaging
- 👍 User-friendly for some
- ✨ Recent improvements noted

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive subscription
- 😠 Excessive and disruptive ads
- 🐛 Sync issues (hit or miss)
- 🚫 No waypoint management
- 📱 Poor CarPlay integration

**Reported bugs**

- Unwanted push notifications for challenges
- Issues resetting password
- CarPlay useless (no tracking/waypoint access)
- Sync of data is hit or miss
- Waypoints are a jumble of names, no numbers, folders, filters

**Requested features**

- Icon for mines/pins
- Crown land for BC
- Direction feature with distance and turn directions
- Waypoint management (numbers, folders, filters)
- CarPlay integration with tracking/waypoint access


### PermitNow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/permitnow/id6448959312)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps free?

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PermitNow free?

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

### Do BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps or PermitNow have ads?

Neither BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps nor PermitNow shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps or PermitNow?

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps ships an update every 3 weeks, and PermitNow fortnightly. Most recently, BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps was updated on October 19, 2026 and PermitNow on October 18, 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.*