The MST Guide vs Yonderlust
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The MST Guide
This comprehensive guide provides detailed maps and up-to-date information for North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It helps hikers navigate the nearly 1200-mile path, locate essential waypoints, and connect with other hikers through a virtual trail log.
- Real-time location tracking on trail
- Up-to-date, rerouted trail maps
- Detailed waypoint information (parking, camping, water)
- Virtual trail logs for hiker communication
- Offline navigation capabilities
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The North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is nearly 1200 miles long, connecting Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge in the Outer Banks. This is the most comprehensive guide ever developed for the MST, providing unprecedented information and ease of access for day-, section-, and thru-hikers. NEVER GET LOST See your location in relation to the trail and know which way to go, even when there are no blazes. Know how far away you are from key waypoints. UP-TO-DATE MAPS Thanks to the many volunteers, the MST is developing more every year and is constantly being rerouted. This app is updated with every change, so there is no need to keep track of trail updates. Hikers can view their location in relation to the entire MST, or just see the segment they are currently on. UNLOCK ACCURATE, USEFUL WAYPOINTS Everything you need from parking locations for your day hike to camping locations for your thru-hike. Locate water sources that are unlisted in other guides, discover hidden gems that you hadn't known about before, or simply determine your own location. Each waypoint has it's exact location, distance along the trail, and a detailed description (when applicable). VIRTUAL TRAIL LOGS Communicate with other hikers through comments on each trail segment or waypoint. Leave behind useful information, ask questions, or leave reviews. Learn from those who have come before you, or use comments to help plan your route. More features coming soon!
Yonderlust
Discover and embark on self-guided adventures with local content, maps, and safety tips. Explore new places with curated trip information and checklists.
- Self-guided adventure trips
- Free local content
- Interactive maps
- Checklists
- Safety tips
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Download the Yonderlust app for the best self-guided adventure trips. Free local content, maps, checklists, safety tips and more! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The MST Guide at none against Yonderlust's 11. The MST Guide also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). On price, rating, 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. Yonderlust sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $59.99 per year. The MST Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for The MST Guide against 5.0 for Yonderlust. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The MST Guide has 12 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
The MST Guide ships an update every 2 weeks, Yonderlust every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and May 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The MST Guide | Yonderlust |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (12 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.1 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Joshua Smith | MOXY Outdoors, LLC |
Customer experience
The MST Guide
Yonderlust
In-app purchases
The MST Guide
No in-app purchases
Yonderlust
- All Access (1 Year)$59.991 Year
- Paddle the Black River$12.99
- Paddle Camp Masonboro Island$12.99
- Doughton Park Adventure Run$12.99
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- Fastpack the VA Triple Crown$14.99
- Backpack the Art Loeb Trail$14.99
- Backpack Linville Gorge$14.99
- Trail Run the Roan Highlands$14.99
- Moab Winter Wonderland$24.99
- Hut-to-Hut Presidential Range$24.99
- Kiteboard the Outer Banks$24.99
