Map Tools vs Approach Charts
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Map Tools
This app supports numerous coordinate systems and map projections for a wide range of datums. Users can input locations manually or via GPS and view them on an embedded map. All datums are accessible without extra purchases.
- Supports 232 datums
- Multiple coordinate systems (Geodetic, MGRS, UTM, etc.)
- Manual location input
- GPS location acquisition
- Embedded map view
- All datums included
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Map Tools supports coordinate systems and map projections for 232 datums, including WGS84, NAD27, NAD83, ED50, OSGB36, EGSA87, AGD66, AGD84, GDA94, NZGD2000, NZGD1949, and many more. All datums are now accessible in the app without any additional purchases. Users can input locations manually or obtain them using their device's GPS, and these locations can be viewed on the embedded map. The following coordinate systems are available for selection as either the source or target coordinate system: * Geodetic (latitude and longitude) * MGRS * UTM/UPS * USNG * Georef * Map Grid Australia (MGA) with GDA94 Datum * British National Grid with OSGB36 Datum * New Zealand Transverse Mercator 2000 (NZTM2000) * New Zealand Map Grid (NZMG) with NZGD49 Datum * Swiss Grid with CH1903 Datum * Greek Grid with EGSA87 Datum * Singapore TM with SVY21 Datum
Approach Charts
Access FAA Instrument Approach charts for the US, including airport diagrams, minimums, and runway information. Get live weather and NOTAMs, and search by various criteria. The database and charts update monthly.
- FAA Instrument Approach charts
- Airport diagrams and runway information
- Live weather and NOTAMs
- Search by airport name, city, identifier, or state
- Quick access to favorite airports
- Monthly automatic updates
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FAA Instrument Approach charts (Terminal Procedures) for the US - Includes Airport diagrams, Minimums, STARS and DPs - Includes detailed airport and runway information for all US airports - Includes weather and NOTAMs when available - Search by airport name, city, identifier or state - Quick access to your most used airports - Always current: database and charts update automatically every month - Full screen view option Approach charts requires a subscription that will give you access to all FAA instrument approach charts for the United States, updated every 28 days, live weather and NOTAMs. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.bbflight.com/in-cockpit-apps-for-pilots/approach-charts/approach-charts-privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Approach Charts at Free against Map Tools's $1.99. Approach Charts also leads on ratings volume (5 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.2). Map Tools's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). 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
Approach Charts is free to download; Map Tools costs $1.99 up front. Approach Charts sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Map Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.
Map Tools holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Approach Charts has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Map Tools's written reviews are positive against 0% of Approach Charts's.
Map Tools ships an update monthly, Approach Charts every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Map Tools | Approach Charts |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 2.0 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 21.1% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modular Machines LLC | Candidus LLC |
Customer experience
Map Tools
Approach Charts
In-app purchases
Map Tools
No in-app purchases
Approach Charts
- Monthly subscription2 Months trial$0.991 Month
- Annual subscription2 Months trial$9.991 Year
Questions
Is Map Tools free?
Is Approach Charts free?
Which has better reviews, Map Tools or Approach Charts?
Do Map Tools or Approach Charts have ads?
Which is updated more often, Map Tools or Approach Charts?
Other comparisons
