Comparison

GeoNames Map Explorer vs Mapply for Open Street Map

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

Head to head
About

GeoNames Map Explorer

Features
Read full description

GeoNames Map Explorer turns your iPhone or iPad into an offline-first field GIS for mapping, navigation, data collection, surveying, travel awareness, and team coordination. WORLDWIDE PLACE INTELLIGENCE • Search NGA foreign and USGS domestic geographic names online or from downloaded data • Find addresses, nearby places, map features, U.S. embassies and consulates • Hear supported place-name pronunciations and review weather, travel advisories, emergency contacts, and field references • Translate place information and supported chat content when language tools are enabled POWERFUL ONLINE AND OFFLINE MAPS • Use open MapLibre maps, downloadable areas of interest, and local map packages • Organize online and offline layers, change styles, reorder overlays, and inspect attributes • Work with GeoPackage, MBTiles, GeoJSON, GPX, KML, and other configured GIS sources • Display raster, feature, and vector-tile content with configurable styles and labels • Use MGRS/GARS grids, time zones, boundaries, an inset map, compass, measurement tools, weather, gridded reference graphics, military symbols, placemarks, bookmarks, and geotagged photos • Export map images and manage files through the iOS Files workflow SEARCH, MEASURE, AND ANALYZE • Go directly to a coordinate or convert between common geographic and grid systems • Run offline spatial searches and filter supported attribute tables to the visible map • Find nearby records by map center, typed coordinate, or current location • Convert supported vector GIS data to GeoJSON, GeoPackage features, or MBTiles vector tiles when the DuckDB Spatial build is enabled FIELD DATA AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONING • Record GPX tracks, waypoints, time, distance, and activity details • Design and complete forms with geometry, attributes, notes, and photos • Create survey sessions, classify points, retain accuracy and GNSS provenance, and export field data • Connect to compatible Bluetooth GNSS receivers • Relay validated NTRIP/CORS corrections to compatible RTK receivers and monitor receiver-reported RTK Fixed, RTK Float, DGPS, and autonomous states TAK AND CONNECTED OPERATIONS • Connect to a configured TAK Server using secure credentials and certificates • Share position information, view team members and map markers, and exchange GeoChat messages • Support Cursor on Target position, chat, marker, and emergency workflows • Connect to supported Meshtastic or Traccar services when those integrations are enabled • Visualize configured real-time feeds for aircraft, vessels, transit, sensors, drones, GeoJSON, KML, and Esri streams AI-ASSISTED, WITH OFFLINE OPTIONS • Import a compatible on-device Gemma model for supported translation and entity extraction • Dictate supported GeoChat messages with Apple speech recognition and listen with text to speech • Extract locations, coordinates, callsigns, dates, routes, urgency, and other structured details from supported messages • Keep TAK text and audio workflows local when the on-device language feature is used PROFESSIONAL AND MISSION WORKFLOWS The solution includes configurable mission planning, tactical graphics, standardized message handling, terrain, training, collaboration, direct GIS service exchange, and cloud-data modules. Availability depends on the release configuration, connected services, organizational authorization, and device capabilities. Some features require downloaded data, an internet connection, a configured server, third-party credentials, a compatible external receiver or radio, or a separately imported AI model. RTK accuracy depends on receiver capability, correction service, conditions, and workflow. This app is a situational-awareness and field-data tool, not a substitute for official emergency, navigation, aviation, maritime, or life-safety systems. Continued background location and Bluetooth use can reduce battery life.

About

Mapply for Open Street Map

Explore detailed maps of the world, including transport networks, hiking trails, and topography. This app leverages OpenStreetMap and other specialized map layers for comprehensive navigation and outdoor adventure planning. Enjoy offline caching for uninterrupted exploration.

Highlights
  • OpenStreetMap integration
  • Specialized map layers (cycling, transport, sea, trails)
  • Topographical data
  • Railway information
  • Offline caching
  • Satellite views
Features
Read full description

Introducing Mapply, the ultimate map viewer for Open Street Map (OSM) and tile-based map layers. With Mapply, you're one tap away from exploring the world in detail, navigating transport networks, embarking on outdoor adventures, and discovering intricate topography - all tailored to your needs. Experience satellite views, hiking trails, topography, railway routes, seas, terrain analysis, and much more! Uncover the World of Open Street Map (OSM): With OpenStreetMap, a , of the world, rich in details about locations both near and distant. Navigate through an extensive network of roads, trails, and points of interest - all meticulously crowd-sourced by a global community of map enthusiasts. Find the right cycling path with CyclOSM: Beautifuly designed, yet highly functional map to guide you on the best cycling paths around the globe. Transport Network with Open Transport Map: Dive into the intricate infrastructure of transportation, encompassing airports, railway lines, stations, bus routes, and stops. Mapply's integration with OpenTransportMap is your indispensable resource for navigating the intricacies of modern transportation. Embark on Marine Journeys with Open Sea Map: OpenSeaMap opens the door to your nautical adventures, offering intricate details about harbors, buoys, and more. It's the perfect tool for sailors, explorers, and maritime enthusiasts to navigate with confidence. Unleash Outdoor Adventures with Waymarked Trails: Mapply brings the outdoor world to your fingertips, providing specialized maps for a myriad of activities such as hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and skiing. From easy-going cycling routes to challenging mountain biking trails, and from serene hiking paths to exhilarating ski slopes - all your outdoor adventures begin with Mapply. Discover Topography with Open Topo Map: Mapply leverages OpenTopoMap to provide users with precise topographical information. Understand the height profiles of specific areas, and plan your journeys with in-depth knowledge of the terrain. Unravel Railways with Open Railway Map: Mapply is a treasure trove for railway enthusiasts. OpenRailwayMap offers comprehensive data on global train tracks, and further layers reveal specifics about maximum speeds, signals, electrification, and track gauge. It's a comprehensive guide to the world's railways, all on your device. Enhanced User Experience with Offline Caching: Mapply ensures your adventures are uninterrupted with its offline caching feature. Once you've explored an area, Mapply caches it on your device. Mapply is built on open-source data for map data and overlay styles, displaying attributions in-app. We're always eager to enhance your Mapply experience and welcome suggestions for additional maps to be included in future updates. Start your journey with Mapply, and open up a world of exploration. Maps included: - OpenStreetMap: The collaborative project that offers a free, editable map of the world - CyclOSM: The go to open map for cycling paths and trails - OpenTransportMap: Your go-to resource for transportation details - OpenSeaMap: The ultimate marine cartography platform - Waymarked Trails - Hiking: Comprehensive hiking trail maps - Waymarked Trails - Cycling: Detailed cycling route maps - Waymarked Trails - Mountain Biking: Expert mountain biking trail maps - Waymarked Trails - Slopes: Extensive skiing slope maps - OpenTopoMap: Your source for detailed topographic maps - OpenRailwayMap - Standard: Comprehensive train track maps - OpenRailwayMap - Max Speed: Speed limit details for train tracks - OpenRailwayMap - Signals: Signal locations on train tracks - OpenRailwayMap - Electrification: Electrification data for train tracks - OpenRailwayMap - Track Gauge: Track gauge information for train tracks - NASA GIBS - CityLights - The earth by night with beautiful dark satellite imagery

Screenshots

GeoNames Map Explorer4 screens
Mapply for Open Street Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: GeoNames Map Explorer at none against Mapply for Open Street Map's shown. Mapply for Open Street Map's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, in-app purchases, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GeoNames Map Explorer ships an update monthly, Mapply for Open Street Map weekly. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
GeoNames Map Explorer versus Mapply for Open Street Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGeoNames Map ExplorerMapply for Open Street Map
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.1 (53 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—53 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size150 MB6 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTech Maven GeoSpatial LLCFlorian Chrometz

In-app purchases

None

GeoNames Map Explorer

No in-app purchases

None

Mapply for Open Street Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GeoNames Map Explorer free?
GeoNames Map Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mapply for Open Street Map free?
Mapply for Open Street Map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GeoNames Map Explorer or Mapply for Open Street Map have ads?
Mapply for Open Street Map shows ads; GeoNames Map Explorer does not.
Which is updated more often, GeoNames Map Explorer or Mapply for Open Street Map?
GeoNames Map Explorer ships an update monthly, and Mapply for Open Street Map weekly. Most recently, GeoNames Map Explorer was updated on October 27, 2026 and Mapply for Open Street Map on October 27, 2026.

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