Comparison

Cartograph Maps 3 vs CartoLake

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

CartoLake

Create and georeference maps with various file formats. Supports imagery, scanned maps, and export options. Ideal for generating custom mapping content.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Cartograph Maps 34 screens
CartoLake4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cartograph Maps 3 versus CartoLake: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCartograph Maps 3CartoLake
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterWeekly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.214.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size133 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarald MeyerCartoLake, LLC

Customer experience

Cartograph Maps 3

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

CartoLake

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Cartograph Maps 3

Subscriptions7
  • Add 100 3rd party credits$2.491 Month
  • Full version (monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Cloud synchronization7 Days trial$2.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Full version (6 months)$4.996 Months
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Full version (yearly)$8.491 Year
  • Yearly subscription$17.991 Year
One-time3
  • Add 100 3rd party credits$1.99
  • Cartograph for Apple Watch$3.99
  • Full version (life-time)$29.99
3 purchases

CartoLake

Subscriptions3
  • 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?
Cartograph Maps 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CartoLake free?
CartoLake is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cartograph Maps 3 or CartoLake?
CartoLake is rated higher. Cartograph Maps 3 averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while CartoLake averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Cartograph Maps 3 or CartoLake have ads?
CartoLake shows ads; Cartograph Maps 3 does not.
Which is updated more often, Cartograph Maps 3 or CartoLake?
Cartograph Maps 3 ships an update every 5 days, and CartoLake weekly. Most recently, Cartograph Maps 3 was updated on November 7, 2026 and CartoLake on November 3, 2026.

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