Comparison

Topo Maps vs 3D Offline Maps

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

Head to head
About

Topo Maps

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
Currently charting
Read full description

* View over 70,000 Natural Resources Canada 1:50,000 and USGS 1:24,000 topographical maps on your iPhone or iPod touch. * Ideal for hiking and other backcountry activities. * Map downloads are FREE! * More than 16 million maps downloaded so far! - iPad owners, please see the app "Topo Maps for iPad". * Users write: " I've bought all the topo map apps and I like this the best " " Scans are gorgeous ... the interface is exceptionally clean " " Downloading maps is easy and fast ... Map displays beautifully and zooms flawlessly " * Includes Canada (at 1:50,000), the contiguous US (at 1:24,000), Alaska (at 1:24,000 and 1:63,360), Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. * Locate the maps you need on the satellite view. To install a map, touch for about half a second. Touch again to view it. * Search by name for over a million towns, peaks, lakes, parks and other features. * No network connection is needed once the maps have been installed. * Mark waypoints, and import and export waypoint files in GPX, KML and CSV formats. * Touch the "current location" button to see where you are, and the compass button to align the map with the ground. * See coordinates in NAD27 or WGS84 degrees, degrees minutes and seconds, UTM, or MGRS formats. * Measure distances (miles, feet and km) and bearings (true and magnetic). The Maps: This app uses high-quality scans of the traditional USGS and NRCan topographic maps which have been the definitive resource for hikers and other backcountry users for many years. You can make the terrain stand out with hill shading, using simulated sunlight from the direction of your choice. In the U.S., this app does not use the new "US Topo" maps because they do not show hiking trails and lack other details: please see the web site for more details. Downloading: US maps are around 8 MB in size and download in a few seconds on a typical home broadband connection. Canadian maps are larger. Both cellular data and WiFi can be used, though WiFi is likely to be more reliable in most cases. - Do please visit https://topomapsapp.com/ for complete instructions, so that you don't miss any features. We have many ideas for additional features to add to future versions of this app; if you have ideas or other questions or comments, contact details can be found on the website, https://topomapsapp.com/. The website also has more screenshots and other information.

About

3D Offline Maps

Navigate and explore the world with detailed 2D and 3D offline maps. Record GPS tracks, save routes, and import/export GPX files. Plan adventures, mark points of interest, and share data, even without an internet signal.

Highlights
  • Offline 2D and 3D maps
  • GPS track recording
  • Route planning
  • GPX import/export
  • Unlimited offline map storage
  • Multiple map types
Features
Read full description

Detailed 2D and 3D maps for navigation, travel, hiking, and outdoor adventures all over the world. Download maps in advance, use them offline without internet access, record GPS tracks, save routes and waypoints, import and export GPX files, and keep everything important close at hand on every trip. Plan routes, build your own collection of tracks, mark interesting places on the map, share data with friends, and travel more comfortably even where there is no signal. The app supports offline maps with no time limits on storage and contains no ads. Main features: - 9 map types: satellite, vector, and 3D maps. - compatible with Apple Silicon Macs. - background track recording. - compare tracks by speed, elevation, and time at any distance, including gains and delays relative to a selected reference track. - fast and convenient map downloads. - route planner. - step counter with data for the last three months (steps, distance). - elevation for any waypoint. - address search. - coordinate search. - compass. - barometer. - track processing and optimization. - offline map downloads with unlimited storage time. - supports all available ways on your device to import and export tracks and waypoints in GPX, KML, KMZ format. - color gradient by speed and elevation for imported tracks when this data is available. - color gradient by speed and elevation for recorded tracks. - records speed and elevation in tracks. - contour lines in outdoor mode. - extended track information: average and maximum speed, duration, distance, and number of waypoints. - different units of measurement: miles, kilometers, feet, meters. - view one or multiple tracks in any app mode, including while recording another track. - create, edit, and delete waypoints in any mode and anywhere on the map. - selectable icons for waypoints. - track recording quality settings, distance filters, and power saving mode. - points to the selected waypoint and shows the distance to it. - shows the current distance covered and time on route. - quick start and stop of track recording. - several map orientation modes: by device compass, by direction of movement, centered mode, and north-up mode. - map tilt with a two-finger gesture. - quick selection and convenient viewing of saved tracks, waypoints, and downloaded maps. - speed and elevation charts with zooming and scrolling. - link to the user guide in settings. - waypoint photos: take photos, store them, open the waypoint on the map from the photo, and share your shots. - photo geotagging: coordinates and shooting data are saved in the text caption and in EXIF/GPS metadata. - Terms of Service: https://appsupport.store/terms/ - Privacy Policy: https://appsupport.store/privacy

Screenshots

Topo Maps4 screens
3D Offline Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: 3D Offline Maps at Free against Topo Maps's $19.99. 3D Offline Maps also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). Topo Maps's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and chart position (#67 vs unranked). On 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

3D Offline Maps is free to download; Topo Maps costs $19.99 up front. 3D Offline Maps sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Topo Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

3D Offline Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D Offline Maps has 647 ratings behind it against 128, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Topo Maps's written reviews are positive against 80% of 3D Offline Maps's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Topo Maps ships an update every 2 months, 3D Offline Maps weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Topo Maps versus 3D Offline Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTopo Maps3D Offline Maps
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (128 ratings)4.6 (647 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.6% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings128647 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#67 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.4
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB72 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMappendix LimitedSERGEI BEZDENEZHNYKH

Customer experience

Topo Maps

All ratings128 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral5.5%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive69.6%
Neutral4.5%
Negative25.9%

3D Offline Maps

All ratings647 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.7%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral3.5%
Negative16.5%

User reviews

Topo Maps

From 128 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📍 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

Room to improve

  • 🗺️ 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

3D Offline Maps

From 647 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🗺️ Excellent 3D mapping technology
  • 👍 Clear and colorful visualization
  • 🧭 Effective offline navigation
  • 🔄 Map rotation capability for trail viewing
  • ⛰️ Great for hiking and outdoor activities

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive pricing
  • 🐛 3D offline maps turn black and become grainy
  • 🗺️ Trails not clearly marked or visible
  • 🏷️ Roads not identified or labeled
  • ⏱️ Slow rendering and zoom performance

Bugs and requests

Topo Maps

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • 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
Show 3 more
  • Elevation readings significantly differ from actual GPS altitude
  • App crashes when opening on newer iPhone models
  • Blue location indicator too large and blocks map details

Requested features

15 requests
  • 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
Show 10 more
  • Elevation profile visualization
  • Batch map downloading (multiple maps simultaneously)
  • Waypoint timestamp automation
  • Height map vs GPS elevation mode switching
  • Line-of-sight calculation with fresnel zone visualization
  • European and international map coverage
  • 3D map rendering
  • Distance measurement tools
  • Route linking between waypoints
  • Apple Watch integration

3D Offline Maps

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 3D offline maps display black and grainy visuals
  • Maps require zooming out and back in to clear display
  • GPX file download compatibility issues
  • Background tracking does not work

Requested features

5 requests
  • CarPlay support integration
  • Map selection icon on main page
  • Current/real-time satellite imagery
  • Map gradients relative to pitch
  • Background tracking functionality

In-app purchases

None

Topo Maps

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

3D Offline Maps

Subscriptions5
  • Premium Month3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium Week2 variants$1.997 Days
  • Premium Month3 Days trial$3.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Premium Annual3 Days trial$12.991 Year
  • Annual Sale$12.991 Year
One-time2
  • Matching to road$0.99
  • Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is Topo Maps free?
Topo Maps costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is 3D Offline Maps free?
3D Offline Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Topo Maps or 3D Offline Maps?
3D Offline Maps is rated higher. Topo Maps averages 4.3 out of 5 from 128 ratings, while 3D Offline Maps averages 4.6 from 647 ratings.
Do Topo Maps or 3D Offline Maps have ads?
Neither Topo Maps nor 3D Offline Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Topo Maps or 3D Offline Maps?
Topo Maps ships an update every 2 months, and 3D Offline Maps weekly. Most recently, Topo Maps was updated on October 14, 2026 and 3D Offline Maps on October 17, 2026.

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