# Geocaching® vs Avenza Maps

The clearest difference is update cadence: Geocaching® at fortnightly against Avenza Maps's every 2 months. Geocaching® also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 52%). Avenza Maps's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Geocaching® sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Avenza Maps sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $32.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Geocaching® against 4.8 for Avenza Maps. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 66K and 127K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Geocaching®'s written reviews are positive against 52% of Avenza Maps's.

Geocaching® ships an update fortnightly, Avenza Maps every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Geocaching® | Avenza Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (66K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/geocaching/id329541503/reviews) | [4.8 (127K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avenza-maps-offline-mapping/id388424049/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 66K | **127K** |
| Positive reviews | **70.1% of reviews** | 52.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #14 | **#12** |
| Size | 136 MB | 334 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Groundspeak Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/292242506) | [Avenza Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/387212805) |

## What reviewers say

### Geocaching®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/geocaching/id329541503)

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Grossing · Navigation, #50 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Discover millions of hidden containers worldwide with this app. It guides you through finding your first geocache with tips and instructions. Navigate using maps, compass, or driving directions, and connect with a global community of treasure hunters.

**Highlights:** View geocache details, activity, and hints, Navigate via map, compass, or directions, Live Search for nearby geocaches, Find traditional geocaches and events, Message other players, Trackable item management, Log geocaches with photos

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Membership | $5.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium membership | $6.99 | per month |
| 2 Shareables Yearly Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| 5 Shareables Yearly Subscription | $11.99 | per year |
| 2 Shareables Yearly Subscription | $11.99 | per year |
| 10 Shareables Yearly Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| 5 Shareables Yearly Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| 10 Shareables Yearly Subscription | $17.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium Membership | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium membership | $39.99 | per year |
| 3-month membership | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1-year membership | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun outdoor activity
- 🌳 Explores new places
- 👍 Great family activity
- 🗺️ Useful navigation features
- 📸 Ability to log finds and photos

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive premium subscription
- 🔒 Locking higher difficulty caches behind paywall
- 🐛 Occasional app crashes and bugs
- 🗺️ Inaccurate or limited map features
- 🔋 High battery consumption

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to log trackables from the app
- Inconsistent performance when zooming and panning maps
- Unreliable GPS and compass functionality
- Difficulty canceling premium subscription

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit cache descriptions and add images
- Option to filter by cache placement year
- Trackable journey tracking on the app
- Seamless integration with other navigation apps
- Offline caching data and navigation


### Avenza Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avenza-maps-offline-mapping/id388424049)

**Currently charting:** #12 Top Grossing · Navigation, #69 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Navigate any terrain with offline GPS maps, even without cell service. Explore a vast Map Store for hiking, biking, and travel, or import your own custom maps. Record tracks, add notes, and identify your location precisely.

**Highlights:** Offline GPS navigation, Real-time GPS position and direction, Record GPS tracks, Add photos and notes to locations, Import custom maps, Map Store with professional maps

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Avenza Maps Plus | $32.99 | per year |
| Avenza Maps Plus | $34.99 | per year |
| Avenza Maps Pro | $169.99 | per year |
| Forest Service Topo Product | $0.99 | one-time |
| Garmin Tier 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| BaseImage, LLC Map Product | $0.99 | one-time |
| Western Michigan University Map Product | $2.99 | one-time |
| US Forest Service R5 Map Product | $4.99 | one-time |
| US Forest Service R6 Product | $4.99 | one-time |
| Map the Xperience Map Product | $4.99 | one-time |
| US Forest Service R2 Map Product | $4.99 | one-time |
| US Forest Service R4 Product | $4.99 | one-time |
| National Geographic Map Product | $11.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🗺️ Accurate GPS tracking
- 📥 Offline maps
- 💾 Ability to download maps
- 🗺️ Detailed topographic maps

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Poor search functionality
- 🗺️ Inaccurate map placement
- 💰 Expensive maps
- 🔋 Battery drain
- 🤔 Confusing interface

**Reported bugs**

- Maps disappearing after updates
- Airdrop functionality issues
- Compatibility problems with newer devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to stitch/overlay multiple maps
- Apple CarPlay integration
- Improved map search and discovery
- Easier map management and organization
- Ability to export/share recorded tracks


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Geocaching® free?

Geocaching® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Avenza Maps free?

Avenza Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Geocaching® or Avenza Maps?

Geocaching® and Avenza Maps are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 66K and 127K ratings respectively.

### Do Geocaching® or Avenza Maps have ads?

Neither Geocaching® nor Avenza Maps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Geocaching® or Avenza Maps?

Geocaching® ships an update fortnightly, and Avenza Maps every 2 months. Most recently, Geocaching® was updated on September 25, 2026 and Avenza Maps on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Geocaching® or Avenza Maps?

Geocaching® currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Avenza Maps at #12. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*