Backtrack vs SonsOfSmokey
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Backtrack
Plan and navigate outdoor adventures like skiing, hiking, and biking with detailed maps and real-time weather. Collaborate with friends on shared routes and access backcountry ski information, including avalanche forecasts. Offers a free version with an optional Pro subscription for advanced features.
- Route planning and drawing
- Collaborative map editing
- Backcountry ski route information
- Avalanche forecast and observations
- Multi-layer map overlays
- Real-time weather forecasts
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Backtrack is an outdoor mapping application focused on helping you find and plan your next outdoor adventure. Whether it be backcountry skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or anything in between, Backtrack provides the tools and information you need to make a plan, share it with friends, and navigate safely. CREATE & SHARE MAPS - Plan your route by drawing your intended path. - Add markers to mark campsites, start points, and more. COLLABORATIVE MAPPING - Share maps with your travel partners to get everyone on the same page. - Edits by everyone are reflected in real-time. BACKCOUNTRY SKI - Explore over 800 backcountry ski routes with guidebook-like information. - Avalanche forecast & observations from your local avalanche center. - Scout ahead of time with Mountain View: 360º aerial imagery of popular backcountry ski areas POWERFUL MAP LAYERS - Slope angle shading - Sun exposure - Public lands - Avalanche accidents, observations, and forecast - Cell phone coverage - Ability to stack as many layers as you want WEATHER - Get forecasts along your route. - Real-time data from SNOTEL weather stations. DESKTOP APP - Visit backtrackmaps.com on your computer to map on the big screen. - Edits are synced across all your devices in real-time. SUBSCRIPTION - Use Backtrack for free - Optional subscription for Backtrack Pro: download offline maps, 3D maps, export GPX, and more. Backtrack Pro is available as an annual subscription managed through your iTunes account. Annual subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Auto-renew can be turned off anytime via iTunes Account Settings. LEGAL Terms of Use: https://www.backtrackmaps.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.backtrackmaps.com/privacy-policy
SonsOfSmokey
This app helps users identify and report illegal dumping on public lands. Users can geo-tag and photograph dump sites, then mark them as cleaned up. It aims to unite public land users and volunteers in restoring natural areas.
- Identify illegal dump sites
- Geo-tag and photograph debris
- Real-time trash map
- Mark locations as cleaned up
- Volunteer for cleanup projects
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Sons Of Smokey - SOS app is uniting public land users of all types and volunteers looking to help restore public land for future generations! Use the SOS app to identify and clean up illegal dump locations on public land. Geo tag and photograph abandoned vehicles, dump sites, etc. and update our real-time trash map. Scout out these marked locations for clean up projects and mark them as cleaned up when you're done. How it works: - Download the app and Sign-In with Apple - Open the SOS app while using public lands - If you see dumped debris, select the large "+" button in the middle of the screen, provide a description of what it is and take a few photos - You will see the trash icon appear within the app - If you can clean up a trash location, do so and tap the 'Clean Up' to provide some new photos and describe what you did
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Backtrack at 4.5 against SonsOfSmokey's 3.8. Backtrack also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 45%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). SonsOfSmokey's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). 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
Both are free to download. Backtrack sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per year. SonsOfSmokey asks for nothing beyond the download.
Backtrack holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backtrack has 101 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Backtrack's written reviews are positive against 45% of SonsOfSmokey's.
Backtrack ships an update fortnightly, SonsOfSmokey every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Backtrack | SonsOfSmokey |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (101 ratings) — better | 3.8 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 45.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 101 — better | 17 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 15.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 127 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Slope LLC | Sons of Smokey |
Customer experience
Backtrack
SonsOfSmokey
In-app purchases
Backtrack
- Backtrack Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Backtrack Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Backtrack Pro$49.991 Year
SonsOfSmokey
No in-app purchases
