Balloon Nav vs Memory
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Balloon Nav
This app provides advanced GPS mapping and live track sharing for pilots. It offers features like KML overlay loading, online/offline maps, drawing tools, and a database for storing flight data. Enhanced altitude readings are available with an optional Bluetooth module.
- Live track sharing (up to 8 users)
- KML overlay and waypoint loading
- Online/offline maps
- Drawing and navigation line tools
- Flight data logging
- Piball reader and wind data plotter
- Load calculator
Read full descriptionHide full description
Balloon Nav is a full featured GPS mapping and live track sharing app that has all the tools you need to get the most out of your flying. The live track sharing feature allows you to share your flight and receive the flight data from up to 8 others. The app has the full capabilities for loading kml overlays and waypoints, online/offline maps, drawing over the map, setting navigation lines, dropping markers and clicking the track line to get the GPS data. There is a robust database backend that stores the settings and track files for later (great for logbooks). There is a piball reader function that allows sharing readings with your tracking group and a met wind data plotter. In addition there is a load calculator, and as an extra purchase an addon bluetooth barometric altitude module available. Please be advised that the majority of this app will not be accessible without an in-app purchase of a monthly subscription. We provide a video user manual at the following youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHaHYG7fI3i_gDTIO9Kegsw This is a link to an example of a map definition file .. please watch the maps tutorial on youtube. Example of the USGS Topo map https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VaJqXiUeDZNB9IJJx_YGZrtFIVD4zzlW/view?usp=sharing The GPS system is quite poor for altitude calculation, so Balloon Nav has developed an add on Bluetooth Altitude Module that uses barometric altitude. The module connects seamlessly, has fine QNH control from the app and is very accurate. It will be available for purchase through eBay soon, search Balloon Nav Altitude Module on eBay.com.au. Terms of Use https://www.websitepolicies.com/policies/view/dZd5rrmd Privacy Policy https://www.websitepolicies.com/policies/view/eiZVGlyM Disclaimer https://www.websitepolicies.com/policies/view/VotkZOJO
Memory
Navigate anywhere with offline maps and GPS. Access a vast library of global maps, plan routes, and track your journey without a mobile data connection. Sync data across devices for seamless planning and navigation.
- Offline GPS navigation
- Downloadable global maps
- Route planning and editing
- 3D World map view
- Interactive terrain elevation profiles
- Cloud sync across devices
- GPX file import/export
Read full descriptionHide full description
Download maps for Offline GPS Navigation. No mobile data connection required. Your favorite maps and charts from OS, Hema, NOAA, and many more. Immersive 3D World map view Fully customizable map, data display and toolbar buttons. Powerful overlay data management, using nested categories and GPX files Backup and load maps from thumb drive. Use the same maps and sync your overlay data to other mobile devices and desktop computers Interactive Route Profile showing terrain elevation Track Altitude and Speed profile graphs Show terrain ascent, descent, max elevation and estimated time for planned route The Memory-Map for All app turns your phone or tablet into a full-featured Outdoor GPS or Marine Chart Plotter, and allows you to navigate with USGS Topo maps, NOAA Marine charts, and many other specialist maps, without needing a mobile internet signal. Maps are downloaded on-the-fly and can be pre-loaded in bulk, so they are ready to be used offline. Once the app and maps are loaded to the phone or tablet, cellular network coverage or internet connection is not required for real time GPS navigation. The Memory-Map for All app can be used as a standalone GPS navigator, but it can also be used in conjunction with the Windows PC or Mac app (free download) for planning, printing and loading up maps, waypoints and routes to the phone/tablet. Memory-Map for All includes free access to 1:250,000 scale topographic maps and many other free maps around the world. More detailed maps are available for download and purchase with a free try-before-you-buy, time-limited demo option. Available maps include Ordnance Survey, Hema, USGS quads, NOAA, UKHO, and DeLorme. Maps can be used on your PC as well as your phone and tablet. The Cloud Sync feature allows you to keep the overlay data consistent on all your devices. Features include: Access a vast range of Worldwide maps and charts. Automatically downloads a free map of your current location Create and edit marks and routes. Import and export marks, routes and tracks in the open GPX format Interactive graphs of terrain elevation, GPS Altitude and Speed profile Display; Position, Course, Speed, Heading, Altitude and averages Position coordinates include Lat/Long, UTM, GB Grid, Irish Grid, Military Grid. Units displayed in Statute, Nautical or Metric, with separate unit setting for Height Support for GPS and Compass sensors, where available. Placename search index can be used offline. Moving map, lock GPS position and automatically scroll the map Records breadcrumb trail / tracklogs. Share position marks, routes and tracklogs as GPX files Full marine instrumentation features, with AIS, DSC and Anchor alarm NMEA data interface via WiFi for marine instruments Barometer & relative altitude Import custom icons for POI Alarms for mark proximity, Anchor, Geofence or Exclusion zone, Crostrack error
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Memory at none against Balloon Nav's 3. Memory also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). Balloon Nav's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 81%). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Balloon Nav sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Memory asks for nothing beyond the download.
Balloon Nav ships an update fortnightly, Memory every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.
| Parameter | Balloon Nav | Memory |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.9 (10 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 81.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 10 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 97 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Anthony Kerr | Memory-Map |
Customer experience
Balloon Nav
Memory
Bugs and requests
Balloon Nav
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Memory
Reported bugs
10 issues- App won't close properly with swipe-up gesture on iPhone
- Startup error message about improper closure
- Maps fail to download on new devices
- GPS location not detected on iPad despite enabled settings
- App switching gesture interferes with map centering
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Dynamic Island doesn't show navigation instructions
- Zoom limits restrict detailed trail viewing
- Auto map change on zoom behaves unexpectedly
- Help function is inadequate/useless
- Cut-and-paste doesn't work on Mac desktop application
Requested features
14 requests- Apple CarPlay support
- Map auto-rotation to direction of travel
- More custom waypoint icons (food drop, water source, campsite, etc.)
- Better route optimization with more waypoints
- Map orientation options (North-up vs. route-up)
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Postcode and OS grid reference search
- Location beacon within software
- More detailed maps for Australian regions (SA, NT)
- Foreign/European map availability
- Historical map access
- Font size control for map labels
- Bulk waypoint customization on import
- Course heading-up feature
- Built-in POI overlay list
In-app purchases
Balloon Nav
- Track you plus two others$3.491 Month
- Track you plus 4 others$4.991 Month
- Track you and 8 others$6.491 Month
Memory
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Balloon Nav free?
Is Memory free?
Do Balloon Nav or Memory have ads?
Which is updated more often, Balloon Nav or Memory?
Other comparisons















