# HikeTracker vs Backpackers Friend

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HikeTracker at none against Backpackers Friend's 2. HikeTracker also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). Backpackers Friend's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backpackers Friend sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. HikeTracker asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for HikeTracker against 5.0 for Backpackers Friend. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 12 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

HikeTracker ships an update monthly, Backpackers Friend every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HikeTracker | Backpackers Friend |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiketracker/id1567996400/reviews) | [5.0 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpackers-friend/id6759589005/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **12** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 3 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alan Heezen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1567996402) | [GABRIEL PATRICK MULLEN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879313277) |

## What reviewers say

### HikeTracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiketracker/id1567996400)

This app provides accurate GPS tracking for outdoor activities like hiking, walking, and cycling. It focuses on simplicity, ensuring a smooth and error-free experience for recording your routes and distance traveled. All your data is saved in a standard GPX file format.

**Highlights:** Accurate GPS tracking, Simple user interface, Records distance and elevation, Saves data in GPX format, No social media integration, No ads or in-app purchases

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Backpackers Friend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpackers-friend/id6759589005)

Plan multi-day backcountry trips with on-device GPS navigation and auto-cached maps. Track your progress, log miles, and earn achievements. Premium offers offline maps, gear planning, and weather forecasts.

**Highlights:** On-device GPS navigation, Auto-cached offline maps, Route planning with waypoints, Activity tracking and history, Pre-built iconic routes, Gear and food planning (Premium), Weather forecasts (Premium)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $34.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HikeTracker free?

HikeTracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Backpackers Friend free?

Backpackers Friend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, HikeTracker or Backpackers Friend?

HikeTracker and Backpackers Friend are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 12 ratings respectively.

### Do HikeTracker or Backpackers Friend have ads?

Neither HikeTracker nor Backpackers Friend shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HikeTracker or Backpackers Friend?

HikeTracker ships an update monthly, and Backpackers Friend every 9 days. Most recently, HikeTracker was updated on November 3, 2026 and Backpackers Friend on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*