Comparison

Cartograph Maps 3 vs Map Data Explorer

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

Head to head
About

Cartograph Maps 3

View and record offline vector maps with advanced features like custom themes, hill shading, and multiple layer stacking. Plan routes offline, measure distances, and sync data across devices. Supports various map formats and coordinate systems.

Highlights
  • View Mapsforge offline vector maps
  • Support for OpenAndroMaps render themes
  • Offline route calculation with BRouter
  • Track recording in background
  • Measurement tools
  • Cloud sync across devices
  • Multiple map layer stacking
Features
Read full description

# Cartograph Maps View Mapsforge offline vector maps and record tracks. Includes OpenAndroMaps render themes, MBTiles support, hill shading, multi-layer stacking, offline BRouter routing, measurement tools, cloud sync, search, and offline overlays. Questions, problems, or feature requests: https://www.cartograph.eu/v3/contact/ **NEW** The app now ships with a companion Apple Watch app: https://youtu.be/mMjO9Ngfak0 ## Map features - View Mapsforge offline vector maps (including OpenAndroMaps.org). - OpenAndroMaps render themes (Elevate, Elements) for hiking, mountainbiking, running, and more. - Other offline formats: MBTiles (raster/vector), TwoWays RMAP, Locus SQLite, Oruxmaps SQLite, Garmin IMG (non-NT). - Online types: Mapbox MVT, Bing quadkey, OSM slippy tiles, raster WMS, MapLibre. - Offline hillshading and slope mapping (*). - Mapsforge multi-maps (*). - Classic Mapsforge and Mapsforge VTM rendering. - Stack multiple map layers, including transparency (*). - 3D buildings (*). - Create custom Mapsforge maps (**). - Grid overlays: WGS84, UTM, MGRS, and local projections (*). - Coordinate display: WGS84, UTM, MGRS, and local (proj4) projections. - Online map tile downloader (*). - Image-to-map calibration tool (*). - Zoom lock. ## Tracks and routing - Background track recording (*). - Custom track drawing tool (*). - Photo, video, and audio waypoints (*). - BRouter offline route calculation (*). - OSRM routing. - Google Directions (**). - Offline navigation with voice/custom audio instructions (*). - Waypoint alerts (*). - Live route elevation profile (*). - Import/export GPX, KML, KMZ (import only). - Import EXIF JPEG photos and Google Takeout as bookmarks (*). - Garmin icon support (*). - Live friend tracking (*). ## Other features - Measurement tools: distance, elevation profile, circular distance (*). - Workspaces for managing maps/overlays/tracks (*). - Cloud sync via OneDrive, DropBox, or your own server (*). - "What's here" reverse geocoding. - Built-in offline overlays: drinking water, supermarkets, hostels, restaurants. - Search: Google Places, Nominatim (**). - WunderLINQ and Carpe-Iter-Control support. - Translations: Czech, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Traditional Chinese (add your own: https://www.cartograph.eu/v3/add-ons/translations/). - Bluetooth heart rate, cadence, and speed sensors. (*) Full version, via in-app purchase. (**) Requires credits, obtainable in-app. ## In-app purchases Unlock all features and access third-party services (e.g. Google Directions). Details and Terms of Use: https://www.cartograph.eu/v3/in-app-purchase-info/ ## Disclaimer Background track recording uses location services and may significantly increase battery usage.

About

Map Data Explorer

This advanced mapping application supports various data formats including GeoJSON, MBTILES, and GPKG. It offers tools for drawing, editing vector data, and collecting dynamic information. Visualize terrain in 3D and utilize a suite of navigation and measurement features.

Highlights
  • Vector tile basemaps
  • User-loaded GeoJSON, MBTILES, GPKG data
  • Map catalog support
  • Vector data drawing and editing
  • 3D terrain and building visualization
  • Advanced data collection forms
  • Coordinate conversion and measurement tools
Features
Read full description

Map Data Explorer is a advanced mapping app powered by vector tile basemaps (TMG OSM vector tiles, MapBox and others) with configurable stylesheets Supports user loaded device GeoJSON,Raster tiles from MBTILES and GPKG and vector tiles from MBTILES. Supports user loaded Map Catalog (JSON) of internet mapping content (with catalog building screen) XYZ PNG/JPG Raster Tiles PBF Vector Tiles GeoJSON Local map tiles in mbtiles and gpkg Includes additional layers users can enable: vector overlays (Reference Grids, TimeZones and US State Boundaries) Draw/digitize vector data and support editing and assigning attributes. Map Supports Tilting to display 3D terrain and 3D Buildings (only some basemaps support 3D buildings ) Currently, terrain is not available offline. Map Tools: - Search - places, addresses - Advanced dynamic data collection forms with form builder - Draw/Digitize Data Creation and Editing and export as GeoJSON - Information Box for geojson data - Measure linear and Area - Geolocation & Coordinate Widget (Lat Long and MGRS and zoom level) and share location - Go to Lat Long - Placemarks (spatial bookmarks) (with import and export of Waypoints GeoJSON, KML and GPX) - Basic Route Planning with import of Waypoints (KML and GPX) - Connection to other Navigation Apps - GPS Recorder with background recording and export or track - View Spot Elevation - Display Military Symbology (App6/MilSpec2525C) GeoJSON Schema easily shared with other apps - Radius Ruler/Range Rings - Coordinate Converter (to/from projected coordinates or geographic and GRIDS - MGRS, GARS, WHAT3WORD) Includes an in-app vector converter to convert GIS data (Shapefiles, GPKG, GPX, KML, CSV, WKT to GeoJSON) must be 4326 Includes in-app coordinate converter to convert to /from different coordinate systems and GRIDS (MGRS,GARS, etc) Wifi Sharing - access device files from web browser File Manager To manage files Create Forms with in-app or web form designer with JSON Schema Load a form design and swap between forms Collect any form data Other features: Vector Conversion and Publishing API to convert local vector GIS Data and also publish to PostGIS database tables. Added Button links to TMG Map Data Explorer website for all in-app purchase screen Serve OGC GPKG -GeoPackage with Vector Tiles new OGC extensions Support for any SRS for raster tiles in GPKG (tested with 3857 and 3395) Support for any SRS for Vector Tiles in GPKG (tested with 3857 and 3395) Real-Time Data Module (Network Link KML and Internet KML, ESRI GeoServices REST API and GeoRSS) display on the map and update at set frequency Button to view attributes from GPKG Vector Features 2nd Non Map View – Office documents (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), PDF Viewer, EPUB Viewer, User links web pages and File Manager User loaded GeoJSON support for simple style spec and Marker Symbols ESRI GeoServices REST API (FeatureServer) in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise Sync – download GeoJSON and Synchronize edited GeoJSON. Elevate API - submit geojson point and return back with Elevation, MGRS, GARS, What3Words, PlaceKey, Pluscode properties GeoRequest Area of Interest API for submitting jobs for offline data Pre-staged data downloading of ready to download data Area of interest downloading of online map data: Tile Downloader that supports building mbtiles from tile layers (XYZ/TMS, WMTS and Dynamic and cached mapping services (ESRI MapServer, ImageServer, OGC WMS) and downloading GeoJSON from WFS and MapServer and FeatureServer. Terms of Use: https://mapexplorer.techmaven.net/eula/

Screenshots

Cartograph Maps 34 screens
Map Data Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cartograph Maps 3 at 76% against Map Data Explorer's 0%. Cartograph Maps 3 also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.0) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). Map Data Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Cartograph Maps 3 sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month and Map Data Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cartograph Maps 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Cartograph Maps 3's written reviews are positive against 0% of Map Data Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cartograph Maps 3 ships an update every 5 days, Map Data Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Cartograph Maps 3 versus Map Data Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCartograph Maps 3Map Data Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.214.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size131 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarald MeyerTech Maven GeoSpatial LLC

Customer experience

Cartograph Maps 3

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive76.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative19.0%

Map Data Explorer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Cartograph Maps 3

Subscriptions8
  • Add 100 3rd party credits$2.491 Month
  • Full version (monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Cloud synchronization7 Days trial$2.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Full version (6 months)$4.996 Months
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Add 400 3rd party credits$7.991 Month
  • Full version (yearly)$8.491 Year
  • Yearly subscription$17.991 Year
One-time4
  • Add 100 3rd party credits$1.99
  • Cartograph for Apple Watch$3.99
  • 400 4rd party credits.$8.99
Show 1 more
  • Full version (life-time)$29.99
7 purchases

Map Data Explorer

Subscriptions6
  • TMG Elevate API7 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Map Data Explorer Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • TMG Vector Conversion API7 Days trial$14.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • MapBox RGB PNG Elevation Tiles7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • GeoRequest Area of Interest7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Pre-Staged Data Downloading7 Days trial$199.991 Year
One-time1
  • Tile Downloader Module$4.99

Questions

Is Cartograph Maps 3 free?
Cartograph Maps 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Map Data Explorer free?
Map Data Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cartograph Maps 3 or Map Data Explorer?
Cartograph Maps 3 is rated higher. Cartograph Maps 3 averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Map Data Explorer averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Cartograph Maps 3 or Map Data Explorer have ads?
Neither Cartograph Maps 3 nor Map Data Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cartograph Maps 3 or Map Data Explorer?
Cartograph Maps 3 ships an update every 5 days, and Map Data Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, Cartograph Maps 3 was updated on October 18, 2026 and Map Data Explorer on October 3, 2026.

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