iPoint GPS vs Desert Maps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iPoint GPS
This navigation app shows the direction and distance to a chosen point of interest. Simply select your destination, and a large arrow will guide you. It's designed for outdoor use to help you find your way without relying on street directions.
- Find direction and distance to points of interest
- Large arrow guidance
- Map orientation display
- Search for destinations
- Outdoor navigation focus
- Compass calibration guidance
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Note: This app is designed to run on iPhone in the outdoors, as it is a navigation app. Do you just want to know the direction and distance to your point of interest, without trying to work it out from street directions? iPoint allows you to search for a point of interest in your vicinity, and see immediately the way you must face to reach your destination. Follow these steps: 1) Touch the Destination button on the top of the screen 2) Enter your point-of-interest 3) Notice the large arrow that appears in the centre of the screen, showing the distance 4) Rotate your phone so that the large arrow points to the top of the screen 5) Touch the Orientation button 6) The map should now rotate to show your orientation to the target Now you should be able to work out which way you need to walk to reach your destination. If your destination is long way, you might need to repeat the above steps a few times. IMPORTANT: You might need to calibrate your device compass before using the app. This is achieved by moving your phone in a figure 8 pattern a few times. Also, this app relies on your device compass to show the direction to the target. These compasses are not very accurate, so you should only rely on this app to give an approximate direction to the target. WARNING: Do not try to use this app whilst driving!
Desert Maps
Explore deserts and remote areas with reliable offline navigation. This app provides detailed maps, trip tracking, and distance measurement, ensuring safety and confidence on your outdoor adventures. It's designed for users who need dependable navigation without an internet connection.
- Offline and tower-free operation
- Detailed offline maps
- Save and retrieve locations
- Trip tracking
- Distance measurement
- Contour lines and elevation profiles
- Import and export data
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Desert Maps – Your Ideal Companion for Desert and Remote Area Exploration The new and improved version of the Desert Maps app is the perfect guide for all lovers of outdoor adventures, exploration, and desert trips. It provides you with a reliable navigation experience without the need for an internet connection, specifically designed to offer safety and confidence while exploring the vast desert. Whether you're in the heart of the desert or on the city outskirts, you'll find the tools and information you need to stay on track. Features of the Desert Maps App: ■ Offline and Tower-Free Operation: Efficiently works in both deserts and cities without the need for an internet connection or mobile network coverage. ■ Alternative to Traditional Navigation Devices: Replaces traditional navigation devices, offering a smooth and integrated navigation experience. ■ Detailed Offline Maps: Available for all countries with locations not found on other maps, thanks to the OpenStreetMap community, which allows you to easily contribute and add new locations. ■ Save and Retrieve Locations: Save important locations and access them easily at any time. ■ Trip Tracking: Record your trip’s path so you can safely and comfortably return via the same route. ■ Support for All Coordinate Types: Supports the input and sharing of all types of coordinates for easy navigation and planning. ■ Distance Measurement: An integrated tool to measure distances between locations with high accuracy. ■ Contour Lines and Elevation Profiles: Get clear details of peaks, slopes, and contour lines. ■ Import and Export Data: Import and export landmarks and maps in various formats like KML, KMZ, GPX. ■ Comprehensive Routing: Complete navigation via roadways, direct line, or compass-based navigation according to your preference. ■ Weather and Terrain (Coming Soon): Features like weather updates, rain radar, spring detection radar, and satellite imagery will soon be added, making the app even more comprehensive. We are open to suggestions for adding more features. ■ Comprehensive Coverage: The maps cover all countries worldwide. ■ Paid Features: Enjoy a 3-day free trial to explore the app, and then subscribe to the paid package to access professional features. The Desert Maps app makes your outdoor trips safe and enjoyable, thanks to its multiple features that provide confidence and comfort while exploring the desert. If you have any inquiries or need assistance, feel free to contact us through the app or by visiting our website.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iPoint GPS at none against Desert Maps's 1. iPoint GPS also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Desert Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 67 months) and ratings volume (472 vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Desert Maps sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. iPoint GPS asks for nothing beyond the download.
iPoint GPS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Desert Maps has 472 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
iPoint GPS ships an update every 67 months, Desert Maps every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iPoint GPS | Desert Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.6 (472 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 73.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 472 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 67 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 173 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bryan Rolandsen | Rachid Smet |
In-app purchases
iPoint GPS
No in-app purchases
Desert Maps
- Desert Maps Yearly Plan3 Days trial$9.991 Year









