# Topo Maps vs BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps

The clearest difference is price: BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps at Free against Topo Maps's $19.99. BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Topo Maps's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (70% vs 35%). On rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps is free to download; Topo Maps costs $19.99 up front. BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Topo Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Topo Maps against 4.2 for BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 128 and 26 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Topo Maps's written reviews are positive against 35% of BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps's.

Topo Maps ships an update every 2 months, BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Topo Maps | BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.3 (128 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-maps/id306014271/reviews)** | [4.2 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brmb-maps-by-backroad-maps/id1528015531/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **128** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **69.6% of reviews** | 35.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#96** | — |
| Size | 112 MB | 339 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mappendix Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/298854054) | [Mussio Ventures Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/991230796) |

## What reviewers say

### Topo Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-maps/id306014271)

**Currently charting:** #96 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

Access detailed topographical maps for hiking and backcountry activities. Download maps for offline use and navigate with features like waypoints, current location tracking, and compass alignment. Search for millions of geographical features.

**Highlights:** Offline topographical map access, USGS and Canadian map downloads, Waypoint marking and GPX import/export, Current location and compass alignment, Search for geographical features, Distance and bearing measurement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📍 Accurate USGS topographic maps for navigation
- 📱 Offline functionality without cellular service
- 💰 One-time purchase with no subscription fees
- 🎯 Precise GPS positioning and waypoint marking
- 📥 Easy map downloading and management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🗺️ Outdated map data (10-30+ years old)
- 🔴 Alignment issues in some regions (Central Washington)
- ❌ No GPS tracking/breadcrumb trail feature
- 🚫 Limited geographic coverage (US/Canada only)
- ⚠️ Inconsistent elevation accuracy vs. actual GPS

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to open on iOS 16.2 and later versions
- Map download errors with spotty connectivity prevent future downloads
- App freezes after recent updates
- GPS location inaccuracy on iPhone (works better on iPad)
- Maps misaligned in certain regions

**Requested features**

- GPS tracking with automatic breadcrumb trails
- GPX and KML file import/export capabilities
- Cloud synchronization of waypoints across devices
- Satellite imagery download option
- Track recording and playback functionality


### BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brmb-maps-by-backroad-maps/id1528015531)

Navigate Canada's backcountry with detailed topographic maps and extensive points of interest for outdoor activities. Plan, track, and explore trails, fishing spots, hunting areas, and more, with offline capabilities for remote adventures.

**Highlights:** Topographic GPS maps with relief shading and contour lines, Current location tracking and real-time navigation, Offline map downloads for remote areas, Extensive points of interest for fishing, hunting, camping, and trails, Trip recording and custom waypoint creation, Cross-device access on smartphone, tablet, and desktop

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BRMB Maps PRO | $3.99 | per month |
| BRMB Monthly PRO Access | $6.99 | per month |
| BRMB Yearly PRO Access | $44.99 | per year |
| Yearly PRO Promo | $44.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Great maps and data
- 🇨🇦 Excellent for exploring Canada
- ⛰️ Detailed topos and satellite imaging
- 👍 User-friendly for some
- ✨ Recent improvements noted

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive subscription
- 😠 Excessive and disruptive ads
- 🐛 Sync issues (hit or miss)
- 🚫 No waypoint management
- 📱 Poor CarPlay integration

**Reported bugs**

- Unwanted push notifications for challenges
- Issues resetting password
- CarPlay useless (no tracking/waypoint access)
- Sync of data is hit or miss
- Waypoints are a jumble of names, no numbers, folders, filters

**Requested features**

- Icon for mines/pins
- Crown land for BC
- Direction feature with distance and turn directions
- Waypoint management (numbers, folders, filters)
- CarPlay integration with tracking/waypoint access


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Topo Maps free?

Topo Maps costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps free?

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Topo Maps or BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps?

Topo Maps is rated higher. Topo Maps averages 4.3 out of 5 from 128 ratings, while BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps averages 4.2 from 26 ratings.

### Do Topo Maps or BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps have ads?

Neither Topo Maps nor BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Topo Maps or BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps?

Topo Maps ships an update every 2 months, and BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps every 3 weeks. Most recently, Topo Maps was updated on October 18, 2026 and BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps on October 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*