# Map Tools vs Approach Charts

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Map Tools | Approach Charts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/map-tools/id329231582/reviews)** | [2.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-charts/id560829267/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **5** |
| Positive reviews | **21.1% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Size | 13 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Modular Machines LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1775953859) | [Candidus LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1776981240) |

## What reviewers say

### Map Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/map-tools/id329231582)

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.

**Highlights:** Supports 232 datums, Multiple coordinate systems (Geodetic, MGRS, UTM, etc.), Manual location input, GPS location acquisition, Embedded map view, All datums included

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Approach Charts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-charts/id560829267)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Annual subscription | $9.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Map Tools free?

Map Tools costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Approach Charts free?

Approach Charts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Map Tools or Approach Charts?

Map Tools is rated higher. Map Tools averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Approach Charts averages 2.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do Map Tools or Approach Charts have ads?

Neither Map Tools nor Approach Charts shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Map Tools or Approach Charts?

Map Tools ships an update monthly, and Approach Charts every 3 months. Most recently, Map Tools was updated on September 30, 2026 and Approach Charts on September 15, 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.*