# Avenza Maps vs Elevation

The clearest difference is ads: Avenza Maps at none against Elevation's shown. Avenza Maps also leads on review sentiment (52% vs 30%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Elevation's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Avenza Maps sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $32.99 per year and Elevation sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Avenza Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Avenza Maps has 127K ratings behind it against 5.4K, 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 30% of Elevation's.

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, Elevation every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Avenza Maps | Elevation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (127K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avenza-maps-offline-mapping/id388424049/reviews)** | [4.5 (5.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elevation-altimeter-map/id480740433/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **127K** | 5.4K |
| Positive reviews | **52.3% of reviews** | 29.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | — |
| Size | 334 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Avenza Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/387212805) | [Mapnitude Company Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/473558784) |

## What reviewers say

### Avenza Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Grossing · Navigation, #63 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


### Elevation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elevation-altimeter-map/id480740433)

Easily find your current elevation, altitude, and height above sea level. This app allows you to check elevations by touching the map, entering an address, or using your device's GPS or barometer. It also provides valuable data for flood prediction and outdoor planning.

**Highlights:** Find current elevation and altitude, Check elevation by map touch or address input, Utilize GPS and barometer for altitude, Record and display GPS altitude path, Standalone barometer functionality, Support for UTM and MGRS coordinates, Export timestamp, altitude, pressure, and coordinates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus Upgrade | $4.49 | per month |
| Plus Upgrade | $25.99 | per 6 months |
| Plus Upgrade | $48.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works great
- 👍 Helpful for research
- 👍 Useful for tracking elevation during storms
- 👍 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes on opening
- 🐛 Elevation readings are inaccurate
- 🐛 Doesn't work consistently
- 💰 Too many ads
- 🤔 Confusing user interface

**Reported bugs**

- Elevation readings not working
- App freezes or crashes frequently
- Inconsistent behavior across locations

**Requested features**

- Add search functionality
- Display elevation in feet instead of meters
- Improve accuracy of elevation readings


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Avenza Maps free?

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

### Is Elevation free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Avenza Maps or Elevation?

Avenza Maps is rated higher. Avenza Maps averages 4.8 out of 5 from 127K ratings, while Elevation averages 4.5 from 5.4K ratings.

### Do Avenza Maps or Elevation have ads?

Elevation shows ads; Avenza Maps does not.

### Which is updated more often, Avenza Maps or Elevation?

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, and Elevation every 3 weeks. Most recently, Avenza Maps was updated on September 24, 2026 and Elevation on September 24, 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.*