Comparison

MapTap vs Map Data Explorer

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

Head to head
About

MapTap

Explore diverse map layers including satellite, topographic, nautical charts, and street views. Compare multiple map sources side-by-side for comprehensive geographic information.

Highlights
  • Multiple map layer comparisons
  • Satellite and hybrid views
  • USGS topographic maps
  • NOAA nautical charts
  • OpenStreetMap integration
Currently charting
Read full description

Digital map browser. Compare standard Apple Maps view, Apple Satellite/Hybrid views, USGS topographic maps and orthophotos, NOAA raster nautical charts, and Open Street Map views.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
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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/

Screenshots

MapTap4 screens
Map Data Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Map Data Explorer at Free against MapTap's $1.99. Map Data Explorer also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). MapTap's advantage is rating (3.7 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 7). 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

Map Data Explorer is free to download; MapTap costs $1.99 up front. Map Data Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. MapTap asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MapTap holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of MapTap's written reviews are positive against 0% of Map Data Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MapTap ships an update every 6 months, Map Data Explorer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
MapTap versus Map Data Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMapTapMap Data Explorer
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (3 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews23.1% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
Best chart rank#98 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMobile GeographicsTech Maven GeoSpatial LLC

Customer experience

MapTap

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive23.1%
Neutral30.8%
Negative46.2%

Map Data Explorer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

MapTap

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Map Data Explorer

Subscriptions6
  • 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
Show 3 more
  • 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
One-time1
  • Tile Downloader Module$4.99

Questions

Is MapTap free?
MapTap costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Map Data Explorer free?
Map Data Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MapTap or Map Data Explorer?
MapTap is rated higher. MapTap averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Map Data Explorer averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do MapTap or Map Data Explorer have ads?
Neither MapTap nor Map Data Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MapTap or Map Data Explorer?
MapTap ships an update every 6 months, and Map Data Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, MapTap was updated on October 1, 2026 and Map Data Explorer on September 15, 2026.

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