MagVar vs Topo Maps 2
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MagVar
This navigation tool calculates magnetic variation, the difference between true and magnetic north, essential for plotting courses on maps. It's designed for pilots, sailors, cartographers, and anyone using maps and a compass.
- Magnetic variation calculation
- True vs. magnetic north difference
- Map overlay display
- Accurate for 2025-2029
- Declination and inclination calculation
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MagVar is targeted towards anyone interested in navigation. This includes, pilots of aircraft, captains of sea going vessels, cartographers, engineers and surveyors. Anyone who uses maps and a compass will find the declination calculation (also referred to magnetic variation) very useful. (Declination is the difference between true and magnetic north and used when plotting a course on a map.) MagVar calculates the magnetic flux density for any location on the Earth and then uses this data to calculate magnetic variation. The model is accurate for dates ranging from January 1, 2025 up through December 31, 2029. Using the model, the app calculates declination and inclination. As the user pans the map, the magnetic variation is calculated and graphically shown as a map overlay.
Topo Maps 2
Access detailed topographic maps and satellite imagery for the US and Canada, usable offline. Record and share tracks, plan routes with 2D/3D visualization, and view geolocated photos. Offers hybrid map modes and offline search capabilities.
- Offline topographic maps
- 2D and 3D map views
- Track recording and sharing
- Route planning and visualization
- Hybrid map mode
- Offline search
- Geolocated photo display
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Topographic maps and satellite imagery for the United States and Canada from the US Geological Survey, US Forest Service and Natural Resources Canada in 2D and 3D. No network connection needed once maps are installed. Record your track, and share GPX files with other apps and devices. Hybrid map mode combines topo with imagery. Panorama mode shows silhouette of what's visible from anywhere on the map. Draw routes on the map; plot graphs of speed and altitude. "Fly" along routes in 3D. Offline search. Show your geolocated photos on the map. If you have our original Topo Maps or Topo Maps for iPad app installed, its maps will be shared with this app. End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: MagVar at 100% against Topo Maps 2's 38%. MagVar also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Topo Maps 2's advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 23 months). On 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
Topo Maps 2 is free to download; MagVar costs $0.99 up front. Topo Maps 2 sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. MagVar asks for nothing beyond the download.
MagVar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo Maps 2 has 35 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of MagVar's written reviews are positive against 38% of Topo Maps 2's.
MagVar ships an update every 23 months, Topo Maps 2 every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MagVar | Topo Maps 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.1 (35 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 37.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 35 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 23 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #125 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 223 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Robert Walker | Mappendix Limited |
Customer experience
MagVar
Topo Maps 2
In-app purchases
MagVar
No in-app purchases
Topo Maps 2
- Detailed Maps - 1 year3 Days trial$4.991 Year
