Comparison

GridPoint GB vs Postcodes & Postbox Search

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

Head to head
About

GridPoint GB

Locate yourself on a paper Ordnance Survey map using your iPhone's GPS and compass, even without mobile reception. It provides your grid reference and heading, with accurate coordinate conversions. Features include Apple Watch integration, location sharing, and sunset/sunrise times.

Highlights
  • GPS and compass for location
  • Accurate coordinate conversions
  • Apple Watch app and complication
  • Location sharing
  • Sunset and sunrise times
  • Distress signal
Features
Read full description

If you have a paper Ordnance Survey (OS) map, GridPoint GB makes it easy to locate yourself — even when you've got no mobile reception. The app uses your iPhone's GPS and compass to provide your current grid reference and heading, and illustrates how to use this to locate yourself on the map. Coordinate conversions are implemented via OS's OSTN02, accurate to within 1m. The app also: * Includes an Apple Watch app and associated complication * Reports full numerical easting and northing, tetrad, raw latitude/longitude, a nearby postcode, and various heading parameters * Has a sharing facility so you can share, copy or store your location * Calculates next sunset and sunrise times * Can emit a distress signal, just in case All features are free to use — the in-app purchase is simply a tip you can give the developer to show appreciation. For details and instructions, please see http://mackerron.com/gridpointgb/ Please note: this app works ONLY in Britain (i.e. England, Scotland or Wales). It does not operate in other parts of the UK or British Isles and cannot provide coordinates in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, since a different coordinate system is used.

About

Postcodes & Postbox Search

Quickly find postcodes and postboxes with this app. Search by address or map location, save favorites, and even access your current postcode on your Apple Watch. Ideal for deliveries, driving, or filling out forms.

Highlights
  • Postcode lookup
  • Postbox search
  • Search by address
  • Map search
  • Save favorite locations
  • Apple Watch integration
Read full description

Need a postcode or postbox fast? We’ve got you covered. Making deliveries or driving a cab? Filling out paperwork that needs your full postcode? Or maybe you’re trying to find the nearest postbox or post office? No worries. Just open the app and sort it in seconds. You can also search for a postcode by address or tap anywhere on the map to get the one you need. Save your favourite places too and look them up later when it suits you. Got an Apple Watch? Brilliant. Your current postcode is just a tap away, right on your wrist. Fun fact: Some British Overseas Territories have their own UK postcodes: • TDCU 1ZZ – Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha • BBND 1ZZ – British Indian Ocean Territory • BIQQ 1ZZ – British Antarctic Territory • FIQQ 1ZZ – Falkland Islands • GX11 1AA – Gibraltar • PCRN 1ZZ – Pitcairn Islands • SIQQ 1ZZ – South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands • TKCA 1ZZ – Turks and Caicos Islands Please be aware that using this app will requite you to use a subscription.

Screenshots

GridPoint GB4 screens
Postcodes & Postbox Search4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: GridPoint GB at free with in-app purchases against Postcodes & Postbox Search's subscription. GridPoint GB also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 45%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.5). Postcodes & Postbox Search's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 16 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. GridPoint GB sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Postcodes & Postbox Search sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GridPoint GB ships an update every 16 months, Postcodes & Postbox Search every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GridPoint GB versus Postcodes & Postbox Search: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGridPoint GBPostcodes & Postbox Search
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (92 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.3% of reviews — better44.8% of reviews
Number of ratings—92 — better
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB219 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeorge MacKerronApp Bakery

Customer experience

GridPoint GB

Written reviews65 reviews
Positive72.3%
Neutral1.5%
Negative26.2%

Postcodes & Postbox Search

All ratings92 ratings
Positive64.1%
Neutral7.6%
Negative28.3%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive44.8%
Neutral4.5%
Negative50.7%

Bugs and requests

GridPoint GB

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Postcodes & Postbox Search

Reported bugs

58 issues
  • All features hidden behind paywall
  • Subscription is forced
  • No free option anymore
  • Forced subscription
  • Subscription auto renewal
Show 53 more
  • 100% subscription
  • All functionality locked behind paywall
  • Cannot get past subscription screen
  • Force you to pay to use the app
  • Asterisk keeps spinning
  • No postcodes available
  • Impossible to use
  • Completely inaccurate
  • Useless for finding postboxes
  • Disappointing on the postbox function
  • Address in Cumbria, keeps bringing up dissimilar address
  • Doesn’t show anything for Royal Mail post box
  • This app does not work
  • No nearby priority box
  • Stopped Showing any Postboxes
  • Can’t find anything
  • Unhelpfully designed app
  • UX is lamentably awful
  • Obscure, multi-step process for basic info
  • Technical implementation is lamentable
  • Doesn’t show all post boxes
  • No info re collection time
  • Absolute waste of time
  • Only 4 out of 7 postboxes shown
  • No need for ads
  • Not finding the postcodes on some roads
  • App not working
  • Not giving out more than 3 digits of a postcode
  • WTF
  • Very bad
  • Very slow
  • Not working perfectly
  • Unreliable as a postbox finder
  • Two closest post boxes missing
  • Maps not loading
  • Incorrect Results
  • Can't get postcode right
  • Frustrating
  • Only found 1 postcode out of 3 correctly
  • Only showing the first part of the postcodes
  • Not impressed
  • No instructions as to what to do
  • Only gave me the first section
  • What's happened
  • Can only get the 1st part of the postcode
  • Failed app
  • Tried app standing next to post box, no post box nearby
  • Messed up app - fixed now!
  • Does what it says on the tin!!
  • No longer displays the map
  • Freezes on first post code after opening
  • Maps are not showing up
  • iOS 11 issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow reduced usage option for existing downloads
  • Pay once deal for existing users
  • Go back to being free to use
  • Add time of collection for post boxes
  • Add street view of postboxes

In-app purchases

3 purchases

GridPoint GB

One-time3
  • Magnificent tip$2.99
  • Majestic tip$4.99
  • Monumental tip$8.99
6 purchases

Postcodes & Postbox Search

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Premium$1.997 Days
  • Monthly Premium3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Annual Premium Subscription$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • Starter$0.99
  • Ad Removal$3.99
  • Postcodes Enthusiast$3.99

Questions

Is GridPoint GB free?
GridPoint GB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Postcodes & Postbox Search free?
Postcodes & Postbox Search is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GridPoint GB or Postcodes & Postbox Search have ads?
Neither GridPoint GB nor Postcodes & Postbox Search shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GridPoint GB or Postcodes & Postbox Search?
GridPoint GB ships an update every 16 months, and Postcodes & Postbox Search every 4 months. Most recently, GridPoint GB was updated on September 17, 2026 and Postcodes & Postbox Search on September 19, 2026.

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