Cartograph Maps 3 vs CartoLake
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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# 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.
CartoLake
Create and georeference maps with various file formats. Supports imagery, scanned maps, and export options. Ideal for generating custom mapping content.
- Georeference imagery and scanned maps
- Import Shapefile, KML, mbtiles, GeoJSON, PNG
- Create simple maps
- Export maps to various formats
- Create ForeFlight Content Packs
- Publish georeferenced imagery
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CartoLake is a general purpose mapping for creating maps and georeferencing files. Features include: * GeoReference imagery and scanned maps * Importing and viewing various file formats: Shapefile, KML, mbtiles, GeoJSON and PNG Images * Creation of simple maps * Maps can be exported to various formats * Ability to create ForeFlight Content Packs * Publish Georef imagery End User License Agreement: https://www.cartolake.com/about/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: CartoLake at 5.0 against Cartograph Maps 3's 4.3. CartoLake also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.2). Cartograph Maps 3's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Cartograph Maps 3 sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month and CartoLake sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
CartoLake holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.
Cartograph Maps 3 ships an update every 5 days, CartoLake weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cartograph Maps 3 | CartoLake |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 76.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 133 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harald Meyer | CartoLake, LLC |
Customer experience
Cartograph Maps 3
CartoLake
In-app purchases
Cartograph Maps 3
- Add 100 3rd party credits$2.491 Month
- Full version (monthly)$2.991 Month
- Cloud synchronization7 Days trial$2.991 Month
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- Full version (6 months)$4.996 Months
- Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
- Full version (yearly)$8.491 Year
- Yearly subscription$17.991 Year
- Add 100 3rd party credits$1.99
- Cartograph for Apple Watch$3.99
- Full version (life-time)$29.99
CartoLake
- FAA Sectionals7 Days trial$0.991 Month
- Basic Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Topographic Base Map7 Days trial$9.991 Month
Questions
Is Cartograph Maps 3 free?
Is CartoLake free?
Which has better reviews, Cartograph Maps 3 or CartoLake?
Do Cartograph Maps 3 or CartoLake have ads?
Which is updated more often, Cartograph Maps 3 or CartoLake?
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