Comparison

GCBuddy vs Cachly

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

Head to head
About

GCBuddy

This app helps geocachers solve multi-caches by recording values and automatically calculating waypoint coordinates. It also allows you to navigate to parking spots and view cache details offline.

Highlights
  • Automatic waypoint coordinate calculation
  • Offline cache management
  • Paperless caching with image downloads
  • Parking spot navigation
  • Built-in compass and map
  • Log directly to geocaching.com
Features
Read full description

GCBuddy is the perfect tool for the serious geocacher when solving multi-caches. With this application you can record all found values for A...Z and use them to automatically calculate new waypoint coordinates. The final cache coordinates are also calculated as soon as all required puzzles have been solved and entered. You can also record the exact spot where you parked your car or bike, so you can find it back after caching. FIRST LOOK: To get an idea of the functionality, read the Quick Start Guide on the gcbuddy.com website. List of possibilities: ========================== - Management of multiple caches in a list of downloaded caches - Download from geocaching.com, opencache.uk and other opencaching sites - Prepare a multi-cache at home, also possible on your PC or Mac using a simple web interface. - All images in the description are downloaded: paperless caching! - Navigate to the parking place - Enter answers to questions at each waypoint * Common text calculations like word value * Stack counting * Convert roman numbers - Change the value of an answer and immediately see the effect on a map with waypoints - Waypoints are automatically calculated using the values for A...Z - Location of the final cache is also calculated automatically in this way - Built-in compass/map for navigation to the next waypoint - Overview map with all waypoints - Warning by vibration or sound when you are near the waypoint - Accurately record data at a waypoint with your camera. - Album for each cache with the possibility to view the pictures with the ultra zoom photo viewer. - Notes can be entered before or during the cache - Log directly on geocaching.com after the find if you wish - Find your way back to the car park - Send an e-mail with all the information of a cache as backup or to a friend - Write with one click all cache information in the (online) personal cache note - Restore a cache from a backup e-mail - Protect a cache against changes - Backup/Restore via iCloud Problems/questions/feedback please send an e-mail (info@gcbuddy.com) so I can answer quickly.

About

Cachly

This app is an advanced tool for geocaching enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive suite of features for finding, logging, and managing geocaches. It supports offline maps, proximity alerts, and integrates with various navigation apps. Advanced users can track DeLorme grids and counties, manage online drafts, and scan trackable codes.

Highlights
  • Official Geocaching HQ Partner App
  • CarPlay Integration
  • DeLorme Grid & County Tracking
  • Auto Load Map
  • Online Draft Management
  • Adventure Labs Support
  • Proximity Alerts
  • Offline Vector Maps
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Cachly is a simple and powerful Geocaching app for iOS that includes many advanced features that include the following: - Official Geocaching HQ Partner App Cachly is an official partner app of Geocaching HQ and uses the official API. Login with your normal Geocaching HQ login. - Multi-User Logging - PRO Log a cache for multiple accounts at once, each with their own templates, and auto-visit trackables - Cachly Intelligence - PRO AI summaries and writing help - CarPlay - PRO Cachly now includes full CarPlay integration, bringing geocaching to your vehicle's dashboard. - DeLorme Grid - PRO For those that are interested in DeLorme challenges, Cachly now has a built-in tracker for each state that has a challenge. - County/Region - PRO For those that are interested in County hunting, Cachly now has a built-in tracker for each county. Counties/regions are available for the following countries: Australia, Austria, France, Germany, United Kingdom and United States. - Auto Load Map - PRO The new Auto Loading Map option for loading caches automatically as you move around the map. While this option is engaged, caches will automatically load as you move around the map. - Online Drafts Manage your online geocaching.com drafts by making edits, adding images and allowing you to submit the log(s). - Adventure Labs Load Adventure Lab caches along with regular caches and even save them offline! - TB Scanner Quickly and easily scan trackable codes! - Proximity Alert Get notifications when caches or the target are within a radius of your location. - Friends View your geocaching friends and add new ones right in Cachly! - Apple Watch App Use Cachly on your watch! - FTF! Show available FTFs on the map so you can be the first to grab the find!** - Find Caches Current location, coordinates, search for a location, or GC code. *Basic member restrictions apply. Some features only show for Premium users. - DNF See all your blue frowns and turn those into smilies! - Offline Vector Maps Maps can be saved for offline use using powerful offline capabilities using OpenStreet vector maps. - Offline caches Save caches to offline lists for use anywhere! - Offline filtering Filter lists of caches by attributes and other cache data - Bulk log upload Upload all your pending logs at once! - Translate Translate cache descriptions, hints, and logs from any language to any language. - Map Options Choose from Apple Maps, Google Maps, Ordnance Survey and OpenStreet Map online or offline vector maps - Import & Export GPX Import GPX files from Dropbox, iTunes, email and other apps or export and share a GPX of any caches. - Advanced Search Search for user finds, hides, exclude your finds and hides and so much more. - Advanced Sorting Sort the found caches by type, container, size, trackables and many other sort types. - Log Caches/Trackables now or later Log them now or save them and send later. - Log Keywords Set default text for logs as well as use keyword replacements for common text such as cache code, date, etc. - Souvenirs See your user Souvenirs as well as other users. - Trackables Drop multiple trackables into a cache - Multiple Image Upload Upload multiple photos to logs - Pocket Queries Download and view Pocket Queries offline. - Bookmark Lists View your bookmark lists and add caches to them. View other users bookmarks as well! - Waypoints Create user waypoints as well as set a corrected coordinates. - More features Cachly includes loads of other feature that make it the best Geocaching app out there! *Basic members of geocaching are limited to returning only Traditional geocaches, Pocket Queries are not available, and Custom Search is limited. Basic members are also limited to loading 3 full caches per 24 hour period. This is not a restriction of Cachly, but of the Geocaching platform. **Premium feature Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

GCBuddy4 screens
Cachly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cachly at 4.8 against GCBuddy's 3.3. Cachly also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (3.7K vs 3). GCBuddy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

GCBuddy costs $6.99 and Cachly $4.99 up front. Cachly sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. GCBuddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cachly holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cachly has 3.7K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 81% and 80% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GCBuddy ships an update every 2 months, Cachly every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
GCBuddy versus Cachly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGCBuddyCachly
Price$6.99$4.99 — better
Rating3.3 (3 ratings)4.8 (3.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.7% of reviews — better80.3% of reviews
Number of ratings33.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#63 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB439 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBtStSoftZed Said Studio LLC

Customer experience

GCBuddy

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews83 reviews
Positive80.7%
Neutral10.8%
Negative8.4%

Cachly

All ratings3,655 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews498 reviews
Positive80.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative15.9%

Bugs and requests

GCBuddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Cachly

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Cache details not loading properly
  • Sync issues with Geocaching.com account
  • Apple Watch app functionality problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved trackable management
  • Customizable log templates
  • Proximity alerts for nearby caches
  • Breadcrumb trail for navigation

In-app purchases

None

GCBuddy

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Cachly

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Cachly Pro Offline Maps7 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time6
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Maps Supporter$2.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
Show 3 more
  • Maps Supporter + Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
  • Maps Supporter + Big Tip$6.99

Questions

Is GCBuddy free?
GCBuddy costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cachly free?
Cachly costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GCBuddy or Cachly?
Cachly is rated higher. GCBuddy averages 3.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Cachly averages 4.8 from 3.7K ratings.
Do GCBuddy or Cachly have ads?
Neither GCBuddy nor Cachly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GCBuddy or Cachly?
GCBuddy ships an update every 2 months, and Cachly every 9 days. Most recently, GCBuddy was updated on October 29, 2026 and Cachly on October 29, 2026.

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