# Avenza Maps vs Garmin Explore™

The clearest difference is rating: Avenza Maps at 4.8 against Garmin Explore™'s 4.1. Avenza Maps also leads on ratings volume (127K vs 1K) and chart position (#14 vs #94). Garmin Explore™'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Avenza Maps sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $32.99 per year. Garmin Explore™ asks for nothing beyond the download.

Avenza Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Avenza Maps has 127K ratings behind it against 1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Avenza Maps's written reviews are positive against 45% of Garmin Explore™'s.

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, Garmin Explore™ monthly. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Avenza Maps | Garmin Explore™ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (127K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avenza-maps-offline-mapping/id388424049/reviews)** | [4.1 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-explore/id1276675721/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **127K** | 1K |
| Positive reviews | **52.3% of reviews** | 45.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | #94 |
| Size | 334 MB | 449 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Avenza Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/387212805) | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) |

## What reviewers say

### Avenza Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #14 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


### Garmin Explore™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-explore/id1276675721)

**Currently charting:** #94 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Navigate off-grid with this app, which pairs with a compatible Garmin device for trip planning, mapping, and navigation even without Wi-Fi or cellular service. Plan routes, download maps for offline use, and sync data to the cloud.

**Highlights:** Off-grid navigation, Trip planning, Offline map downloads, Pair and sync with Garmin device, Activity library, Cloud storage, LiveTrack location sharing

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Excellent for planning routes and activities
- 💡 Great for offline navigation with downloaded maps
- 👍 Seamless integration with Garmin devices
- 👍 Useful for tracking and sharing adventures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sync issues with Garmin devices
- 🔍 Lacking detailed map options in some regions
- 🔍 Confusing interface and terminology
- 🐛 Crashes and performance issues
- 🔒 Requires login and internet connection for full functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Sync failures between app and Garmin devices
- Disappearing or corrupted user data
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS/Android versions
- Unreliable offline map downloads

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit waypoint coordinates
- More customization options for map layers and displays
- Improved route planning and navigation features
- Better syncing and data management between app and devices
- Support for more Garmin device models


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Avenza Maps free?

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

### Is Garmin Explore™ free?

Garmin Explore™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Avenza Maps or Garmin Explore™?

Avenza Maps is rated higher. Avenza Maps averages 4.8 out of 5 from 127K ratings, while Garmin Explore™ averages 4.1 from 1K ratings.

### Do Avenza Maps or Garmin Explore™ have ads?

Neither Avenza Maps nor Garmin Explore™ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Avenza Maps or Garmin Explore™?

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, and Garmin Explore™ monthly. Most recently, Avenza Maps was updated on September 29, 2026 and Garmin Explore™ on September 29, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Avenza Maps or Garmin Explore™?

Avenza Maps currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Garmin Explore™ at #94. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*