Comparison

iTAK vs Pathfinder LZ

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
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

Pathfinder LZ

Read full description

Pathfinder LZ turns any point on the map into a complete, shareable helicopter landing-zone brief — coordinates, terrain, obstacles, and weather — so ground crews and aircrews work from the same picture. The off-airport landing zone is one of the highest-risk, least-documented moments in rotary-wing operations. Pathfinder LZ standardizes it. Drop a scaled ring on the exact spot, and the app assembles everything that describes it, then hands you a clean brief you can read to an aircrew or send in seconds. BUILT FOR THE MISSION Dedicated brief formats adapt to how you work: - Civilian MEDEVAC — for HEMS and EMS ground crews - Search & Rescue — for SAR teams and incident command - Law Enforcement — for aviation units and tactical support - Military 9-Line MEDEVAC — built to doctrine, with wartime and peacetime modes THE RIGHT DATA, AT THE POINT YOU CHOOSE - Verified coordinates in DD, DDM (aviation), and MGRS — convert instantly and read the right format to the aircrew - Live weather for the landing zone, by coordinate - Terrain elevation and approximate slope at the LZ - Hazards and obstacles you mark yourself, with standard chart symbology - FAA airports and heliports, including nearby medical helipads - State and county boundaries for fast orientation - A geographically scaled landing-zone ring WORKS WHERE YOU WORK Field operations don't wait for a signal: - Download offline map areas in advance for use with no connection - Coordinates and conversions work fully offline - Four display themes — night-vision-friendly, daylight high-visibility, full color, and colorblind-safe - Share a complete brief by text or with a map image, even over low-bandwidth links - Save and manage your landing zones, with notes and geotagged photos INFORMATION, NOT A VERDICT Pathfinder LZ presents information to support your decision. It never scores, rates, or approves a landing zone — the pilot in command and qualified decision-makers retain full authority. All data is advisory and should be verified against authoritative sources and direct observation. Pathfinder LZ is not certified avionics, not an approved source of aeronautical information, and not a navigation system. SUBSCRIPTION Pathfinder LZ includes a 3-day free trial, then $4.99/month or $49.99/year. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled; manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Privacy Policy: https://apexarsystems.com/pathfinderlz/privacy Terms of Use: https://apexarsystems.com/pathfinderlz/terms Pathfinder LZ is a product of Apex AR Systems, LLC.

Screenshots

iTAK4 screens
Pathfinder LZ4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iTAK at none against Pathfinder LZ's 2. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Pathfinder LZ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. iTAK asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
iTAK versus Pathfinder LZ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriTAKPathfinder LZ
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (156 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews40.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings156 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size278 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUnited States Department of the Army, TAK Product CenterApex AR Systems, LLC

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

Pathfinder LZ

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

iTAK

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Pathfinder LZ

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is iTAK free?
iTAK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pathfinder LZ free?
Pathfinder LZ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do iTAK or Pathfinder LZ have ads?
Neither iTAK nor Pathfinder LZ shows ads.

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