Comparison

Avenza Maps vs The Next Trail

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

Head to head
About

Avenza Maps

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
Read full description

New Description: Avenza Maps is a powerful offline navigation app for professional field work. Use offline maps with GPS navigation to stay on track anywhere—no signal required, so you can navigate confidently with precise location awareness. Discover and download trail, topographic, land use, utility, nautical, and survey data from trusted publishers, or import your own maps. Avenza supports custom map import, letting you work with PDF maps, GeoPDF®, and GeoTIFF files for reliable navigation both on and off the grid. Explore trusted outdoor & professional data Access the largest mobile Map Stores featuring content from: National Geographic National Park Service US Forest Service (USFS) US Geological Survey (USGS) NOAA, FAA, BLM, and more Avenza is widely used by professionals worldwide for surveying, land management, environmental work, GIS field operations, and more. Make your own maps? Import your custom maps and never get lost off the grid. Maps are available for free or purchase from the in-app Map Store. Plus subscription is available for unlimited custom map imports. Pro subscription is available for professional users with full access to all features and mapping tools. ENHANCE YOUR MAPS WITH THESE FEATURES - Locate your realtime GPS position and find direction, even when offline - Record GPS tracks during your activities - Navigate to features using compass tools - Add photos and notes to any location - Add placemarks to your map and style them with recreational symbols - Measure distances and estimate times - Supports KML, GPX, and CSV Formats GET MORE WITH AVENZA MAPS PLUS For users who need more - Up to 20 custom PDF, GeoPDF®, and GeoTIFF imports - Create geofences for up to 50 individual features and up to four geofence layers GET EVEN MORE WITH AVENZA MAPS PRO For professionals and organizations who require an offline mapping solution with location awareness with more features and tools - Unlimited import of your own geospatial PDF, GeoPDF®, and GeoTIFF maps - GPS averaging, additional coordinate display formats, custom symbol sets - Connect high-accuracy GPS devices via Bluetooth - Created unlimited geofences and get global geofence notifications - Convert tracks to areas - Map orientation lock - Import and export Esri® Shapefiles - Import and manage custom symbology sets - Priority technical support Avenza Maps Pro subscription required for commercial, academic, government, and professional use. Avenza Maps Plus and Pro are available as annual subscriptions. You can subscribe and pay through your Apple ID. Subscriptions are 12 months in duration and will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of your selected plan. Auto-renewal can be turned off in your iTunes Account Settings. If you didn’t use iTunes to subscribe, you can manage your subscription through Avenza. SUPPORT We can help! Go to support.avenzamaps.com LEGAL Privacy Policy: avenzamaps.com/legal/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: avenzamaps.com/legal/terms.html CONNECT WITH US avenzamaps.com facebook.com/avenzamaps twitter.com/avenzamaps instagram.com/avenzamaps

About

The Next Trail

Navigate outdoor trails with detailed maps and routes for snowmobiling and off-road vehicles. Access local events, points of interest, and real-time trail updates from clubs. Download maps for offline use with GPS tracking.

Highlights
  • Offline trail maps and routes
  • GPS tracking for precise location
  • Points of interest and local events
  • Trail closure and opening updates
  • Record and save custom trails
  • Cloud backup for recorded trails
Features
Read full description

The Next Trail was developed for Snowmobilers and Off-Road enthusiasts by an avid snowmobiler. The app allows you to see where you are on Outdoor Trails. View trails and routes, ride areas, points of interest and local events. Currently we have robust data for Snowmobiling and ATV/UTV trails – with new data being added regularly. Get current, relevant information! The Next Trail is working with many local clubs. The clubs have the ability to post new events, update trail closures/openings and provide on screen information on local businesses and amenities. The Next Trail uses several sources for trail data. 1) Map Images are digital versions of the paper maps commonly used and provided by Snowmobile clubs. 2) Trails provide more detailed trail data. This data is provided by States, counties and/or clubs. Trails use GIS (Geographic Information System) which is much more precise than Map Images. 3) Record your own trails which can be backed up to cloud storage (included in the subscription) thus preserving your trails even if a phone is lost/replaced. All the maps/trails are downloadable and should be downloaded when internet service is available. While riding, no internet is needed, the app will use your phones GPS to precisely display your position. A current list of data available can be viewed on our web site – www.thenexttrail.com and updates will be tracked on our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/thenexttrail. Ride On! The Next Trail.

Screenshots

Avenza Maps4 screens
The Next Trail4 screens

Verdict

The call

Avenza Maps and The Next Trail both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 88% of The Next Trail's written reviews are positive against 52% of Avenza Maps's. The Next Trail also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Avenza Maps's advantage is ratings volume (128K vs 43) and chart position (#19 vs #199). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Avenza Maps sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $32.99 per year and The Next Trail sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Avenza Maps against 4.8 for The Next Trail. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Avenza Maps has 128K ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of Avenza Maps's written reviews are positive against 88% of The Next Trail's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, The Next Trail weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Avenza Maps versus The Next Trail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAvenza MapsThe Next Trail
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (128K ratings)4.8 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.6% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings128K — better43
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#19 — better#199
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size335 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvenza Systems Inc.BlabApps LLC

Customer experience

Avenza Maps

All ratings128,071 ratings
Positive96.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews884 reviews
Positive51.6%
Neutral6.8%
Negative41.6%

The Next Trail

All ratings38 ratings
Positive97.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

Bugs and requests

Avenza Maps

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

The Next Trail

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Avenza Maps

Subscriptions3
  • Avenza Maps Plus$32.991 Year
  • Avenza Maps Plus1 Month trial$34.991 Year
  • Avenza Maps Pro1 Month trial$169.991 Year
One-time10
  • Forest Service Topo Product$0.99
  • Garmin Tier 1$0.99
  • BaseImage, LLC Map Product$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Western Michigan University Map Product$2.99
  • US Forest Service R5 Map Product$4.99
  • US Forest Service R6 Product$4.99
  • Map the Xperience Map Product$4.99
  • US Forest Service R2 Map Product$4.99
  • US Forest Service R4 Product$4.99
  • National Geographic Map Product$11.99
2 purchases

The Next Trail

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$12.991 Year

Questions

Is Avenza Maps free?
Avenza Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Next Trail free?
The Next Trail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Avenza Maps or The Next Trail?
The Next Trail is rated higher. Avenza Maps averages 4.8 out of 5 from 128K ratings, while The Next Trail averages 4.8 from 43 ratings.
Do Avenza Maps or The Next Trail have ads?
Neither Avenza Maps nor The Next Trail shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Avenza Maps or The Next Trail?
Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, and The Next Trail weekly. Most recently, Avenza Maps was updated on October 29, 2026 and The Next Trail on October 25, 2026.
Which is more popular, Avenza Maps or The Next Trail?
Avenza Maps currently peaks at #19 in the App Store charts, and The Next Trail at #199. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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