Comparison

Garmin Messenger™ vs Join Tracker

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

Head to head
About

Garmin Messenger™

Communicate globally with friends and family, even without cell service. Pair with a compatible satellite communicator for secure messaging and SOS capabilities. Enjoy automatic network switching for reliable connectivity and real-time location sharing.

Highlights
  • Global messaging
  • Interactive SOS
  • Group messaging
  • Photo and voice messaging
  • Automatic network switching
  • Real-time location sharing (LiveTrack)
Features
Read full description

Stay in touch with friends and family. Enjoy the security and connectivity of global messaging with the Garmin Messenger™ app. Pair with your compatible inReach® satellite communicator for fast, easy direct messaging and interactive SOS that’s not limited to cellphone coverage areas (active satellite subscription required). The app supports group messaging as well as photo and voice messaging when paired with a compatible Garmin device (1). Automatic switching between internet, cellular, and satellite networks gives you the best connectivity and efficiency for all your messaging. When you have connectivity, the app will work seamlessly even if your inReach device is turned off. Invite your friends and family to download the app to stay connected and keep the conversation going on and off the trail. With the use of the LiveTrack™ feature, loved ones can follow your location in real time (2) and see data such as distance, time and elevation. (1) See compatible devices at garmin.com/p/893837#devices (2) When used with your compatible smartphone and the Garmin Earthmate® app or when used with your compatible inReach® technology-enabled Garmin device. Note: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.

About

Join Tracker

A secure platform for communities to connect and share content. Create or join groups, post updates, and engage with others. Manage your online space and build meaningful connections.

Highlights
  • Create and join groups
  • Post updates, photos, and videos
  • Engage with comments
  • Manage online community space
  • Build meaningful connections
Features
Read full description

Tracker is a secure platform designed for communities to connect, share, and grow. Join or create groups, post updates, share photos and videos, and engage with comments. Whether you’re a business, nonprofit, or publication, Tracker gives you the tools to manage your own space online. Take control, build meaningful connections, and bring your community closer than ever with Tracker. Start today!

Screenshots

Garmin Messenger™4 screens
Join Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Join Tracker at 100% against Garmin Messenger™'s 20%. Join Tracker also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). Garmin Messenger™'s advantage is ratings volume (14K vs 10) and chart position (#86 vs unranked). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Join Tracker holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin Messenger™ has 14K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Garmin Messenger™'s written reviews are positive against 100% of Join Tracker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin Messenger™ ships an update every 3 weeks, Join Tracker every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Garmin Messenger™ versus Join Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin Messenger™Join Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (14K ratings)5.0 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews19.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14K — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#86 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB51 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperGarminTracker LLC

Customer experience

Garmin Messenger™

All ratings13,746 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews564 reviews
Positive19.5%
Neutral9.4%
Negative71.1%

Join Tracker

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Garmin Messenger™

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • No verification code received
  • App freezes during activation
  • Inconsistent behavior between app and device
  • Messaging not working in areas with no cell coverage

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to message non-Messenger contacts
  • Improved contact management and syncing
  • Apple Watch compatibility
  • Ability to delete messages on paired devices
  • Better integration with Garmin Explore app

Join Tracker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Garmin Messenger™

No in-app purchases

None

Join Tracker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Garmin Messenger™ free?
Garmin Messenger™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Join Tracker free?
Join Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Garmin Messenger™ or Join Tracker?
Join Tracker is rated higher. Garmin Messenger™ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while Join Tracker averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.
Do Garmin Messenger™ or Join Tracker have ads?
Neither Garmin Messenger™ nor Join Tracker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin Messenger™ or Join Tracker?
Garmin Messenger™ ships an update every 3 weeks, and Join Tracker every 5 days. Most recently, Garmin Messenger™ was updated on October 29, 2026 and Join Tracker on October 8, 2026.

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