Map Data Explorer vs Shoot Move Communicate
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
Shoot Move Communicate
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Shoot Move Communicate is a civilian Command and Control (C2) platform built around the capabilities of JBCP — designed for prepared citizens, milsim operators, search and rescue teams, and professionals who operate beyond the reach of consumer apps. MAP & NAVIGATION • Interactive map: pan, zoom, rotate, 3D pitch • Styles: Standard, Dark, Topographic, Satellite • Tracking: Free, Follow, Heading Up · Night/Light Discipline Mode (red-shift display) • Map label toggles: roads, buildings, water, POI, transit · Pencil calibration WAYPOINTS • Drop by tap or coordinate entry · drag to reposition • Friendly/unknown/hostile affiliation · custom names, icons, size, and rotation • Attach notes and photos · elevation and coordinates on demand • Point lookup — tap anywhere for coords and quick actions ROUTES • Road, Trail, Off-Road, and Custom freehand routing • Terrain-aware off-road routing via Tobler's Hiking Function • Distance, travel time, elevation gain · configurable speeds and terrain preferences LINE OF SIGHT • Observer and target placement · terrain profile with obstruction visualization • Green = clear / Red = blocked · minimum clearance calculation • Configurable heights and max range · save and export profiles WEAPON SYSTEMS • Place weapons with azimuth, left/right arc limits, and coverage ring visualization • Built-in and custom profiles: name, type, max range, effective range, default arc DRAWING & OVERLAYS • Freehand strokes (stylus or finger) with 6 colors · undo by stroke · phase line tool • Named overlay layers: group features, toggle visibility, share and export STRUCTURED REPORTS • SALUTE · Contact Report · SITREP · ACE · MIST • 9-Line MEDEVAC · 9-Line UXO/IED · CAS 9-Line · Call for Fire · BOLO • Auto-fill: sender, time, location, coordinate format · pre-fill from map features · send to team chat TEAM & COMMS • Organizations and hierarchical sub-teams · invite codes · role management • Real-time location sharing with heading and accuracy · configurable broadcast rate • Offline mesh radio via WiFi/Bluetooth — no internet required • Meshtastic LoRa radio integration for extended range • Team chat with photos and @mentions · activity banners for teammate actions TRACK RECORDING • Record, pause, resume, stop · real-time track line with elevation profile • Distance, elapsed time, elevation gain · save and export IMPORT / EXPORT • Formats: KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, GPX, SMC native • Share via AirDrop, email, Messages · import and merge SMC packages COORDINATES • MGRS (10m and 1m precision), UTM, Decimal Degrees, DTG Zulu • Global format switch applied everywhere in the app · copy to clipboard CUSTOM OBJECTS & ICONS • Upload custom images as map icons · place and reuse across the map SECURITY • Face ID / Touch ID · biometric re-auth for sensitive actions • OTP email reset · Keychain credential storage Shoot Move Communicate. The C2 platform you actually own. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Shoot Move Communicate at every 3 weeks against Map Data Explorer's every 2 months. Map Data Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 26.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Map Data Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and Shoot Move Communicate sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Map Data Explorer ships an update every 2 months, Shoot Move Communicate every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 12, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Map Data Explorer | Shoot Move Communicate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 138 MB | 50 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tech Maven GeoSpatial LLC | Michael Turner |
In-app purchases
Map Data Explorer
- 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
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- 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
- Tile Downloader Module$4.99
Shoot Move Communicate
- Squad - Monthly$11.991 Month
- Pro - Monthly$24.991 Month
- Squad - Yearly$99.001 Year
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- Pro - Yearly$199.001 Year





