Comparison

iTAK vs TAK Aware

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

Head to head
About

iTAK

This app provides real-time collaborative mapping and team tracking. Share locations, sensor data, videos, and chat with your team. Supports online and offline mapping with various data formats.

Highlights
  • Real-time team tracking
  • Collaborative mapping
  • Online and offline mapping
  • KML/KMZ/GeoPDF overlay import
  • Chat and file sharing
  • Live video streaming
  • Navigation tools
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

**Compatible with ALL TAK ecosystem (TAK server, WinTAK, ATAK, WebTAK)** The Team Awareness Kit (TAK) (known as the Tactical Assault Kit in the Department of Defense) application: iTAK is a collaborative geospatial application to see your teams’ locations, sensor information, videos, chat, and more in real-time. iTAK supports Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial sector standards for icons, sensor information, and communication. Data can be pre-loaded into iTAK or downloaded from the network (via TAK Server) when available. iTAK capabilities include: • Online and offline mapping (most standard formats), download the maps right in the app • Blue force / team tracking (BFT) • Collaborative mapping, including points, drawings, locations of interest • Import and display of KML, KMZ, GeoPDF overlays • Location marking, sharing, with photo tagging • Chat, file sharing, photo sharing • Live video streaming with the ability to share video links • Spotted map to mark and share multiple locations across your map • Digital pointer to rapidly mark and share items on the map with your team • Navigation-walking/hiking, driving, also useful flying and air-ground coordination • Center on self or other objects (e.g. another person in the network) • Range, bearing measurement tools • Team Emergency Beacons • Customizable toolbar • 3D perspective • All data is secured and fully compatibility with the TAK ecosystem (ATAK, TAK Server, WinTAK) • Useful for law enforcement, first responders, hunting, fishing, ornithology, wildlife site survey System Requirements Operating System: iOS version 17 and later.

About

TAK Aware

This navigation app enhances situational awareness for tactical operations. It connects to TAK servers, supporting various data exchange methods for seamless integration into existing workflows.

Highlights
  • Situational awareness enhancement
  • Team Awareness Kit integration
  • Connects to TAK servers
  • Supports Data Packages and DataSync
  • Certificate Enrollment
  • Channels support
Features
Read full description

TAK Aware is a lightweight Team Awareness Kit (also known as the Tactical Assault Kit in the Department of Defense) application designed to enable easy integrations into existing training and operational workflows while still providing the level of situational awareness and interaction you expect from TAK. The application is designed from the ground-up in iOS and connects to your favorite TAK servers with either Data Packages or Certificate Enrollment, and supports Data Packages, DataSync, Channels, Certificate Enrollment and more!

Screenshots

iTAK4 screens
TAK Aware4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TAK Aware at 86% against iTAK's 41%. TAK Aware also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.6). iTAK's advantage is chart position (#206 vs unranked) and ratings volume (155 vs 24). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

TAK Aware holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iTAK has 155 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of iTAK's written reviews are positive against 86% of TAK Aware's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iTAK ships an update every 3 weeks, TAK Aware every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
iTAK versus TAK Aware: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriTAKTAK Aware
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (155 ratings)4.8 (24 ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.4% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings155 — better24
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#206 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size276 MB180 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUnited States Department of the Army, TAK Product CenterFlight Tactics

Customer experience

iTAK

All ratings155 ratings
Positive56.8%
Neutral19.4%
Negative23.9%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive41.4%
Neutral28.3%
Negative30.3%

TAK Aware

All ratings24 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

iTAK

Reported bugs

23 issues
  • App crashes when exporting data packages
  • App crashes when uploading files with local data
  • App crashes when importing overlays
  • App crashes when changing map types
  • App crashes when creating missions
Show 18 more
  • App freezes when handling large numbers of objects (15+)
  • Indoor mapping causes app shutdown
  • Markers disappear on app reopening
  • Markers don't sync deletion status with ATAK users
  • HTTP video stream links don't work
  • Mesh network mode not functioning properly
  • Settings reset to defaults on restart
  • Toolbar disappears randomly
  • Notification badges don't clear properly
  • Unable to rename points of interest
  • Duplicate server entries appear
  • Unexpected shutdowns and crashes
  • Connection failures to TAK servers
  • Message notifications not appearing on iPhone
  • App won't launch after deletion/reinstallation
  • Data Sync broken in version 2.10.1
  • Overlay import causes instant crash
  • Markers become invisible with ArcGIS updates

Requested features

23 requests
  • Meshtastic and LoRa device support
  • GRG (Grid Reference Graphic) functionality
  • Mesh network integration (GoTenna, Beartooth)
  • Plugin support system
  • Google Maps or alternative map providers
Show 18 more
  • Offline map download capability
  • Angular measurement unit conversion (degrees to mil)
  • Nautical miles unit of measurement
  • Video stream support (HTTP/RTSP)
  • CASEVAC calling functionality
  • Polar plot tool
  • Data package import from Android ATAK
  • Bluetooth radio integration
  • Apple Watch companion app
  • Ability to edit and delete toolbar items
  • True/Magnetic bearing distinction
  • Point dragging and repositioning
  • Contact/team management system
  • Mission creation and editing
  • Windows TAK Server version
  • Improved notification system
  • Chinese language support
  • Better documentation and tutorials

TAK Aware

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

iTAK

No in-app purchases

None

TAK Aware

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iTAK free?
iTAK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TAK Aware free?
TAK Aware is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iTAK or TAK Aware?
TAK Aware is rated higher. iTAK averages 3.6 out of 5 from 155 ratings, while TAK Aware averages 4.8 from 24 ratings.
Do iTAK or TAK Aware have ads?
Neither iTAK nor TAK Aware shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iTAK or TAK Aware?
iTAK ships an update every 3 weeks, and TAK Aware every 2 weeks. Most recently, iTAK was updated on September 24, 2026 and TAK Aware on September 23, 2026.

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