# Avenza Maps vs Polaris®

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Polaris® at none against Avenza Maps's 13. Avenza Maps's advantage is ratings volume (128K vs 2.9K) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). 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. Polaris® asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 128K ratings behind it against 2.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Avenza Maps's written reviews are positive against 45% of Polaris®'s.

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, Polaris® monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Avenza Maps | Polaris® |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (128K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avenza-maps-offline-mapping/id388424049/reviews)** | [4.5 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polaris/id493558794/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **128K** | 2.9K |
| Positive reviews | **51.2% of reviews** | 45.4% 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 | **#24** | #95 |
| Size | 335 MB | 176 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Avenza Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/387212805) | [Polaris Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/418680707) |

## What reviewers say

### Avenza Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #24 Top Grossing · Navigation, #57 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


### Polaris®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polaris/id493558794)

**Currently charting:** #95 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Manage your powersports vehicle's maintenance, plan rides with detailed mapping, and discover gear. Connect to in-vehicle displays for enhanced control and remote connectivity.

**Highlights:** Vehicle service history and maintenance reminders, Snap-to-trail routing, On/offline maps, Group Ride tracking, 3D ride replays, Gear and accessory shopping, Help Center access

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Accurate tracking
- 🚀 Great features
- 👍 Awesome app
- 👍 Essential for riding

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App freezes/crashes
- 🐛 Clunky user interface
- 🐛 Unreliable mapping
- 🐛 Missing features
- 🐛 Buggy offline mode

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Ride tracking problems
- Disappearing vehicle data
- Mapping inaccuracies
- Constant sign-outs

**Requested features**

- Ability to plan routes
- Offline map downloads
- Larger font for map details
- Dark mode option
- Apple Watch compatibility


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Avenza Maps free?

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

### Is Polaris® free?

Polaris® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

Avenza Maps is rated higher. Avenza Maps averages 4.8 out of 5 from 128K ratings, while Polaris® averages 4.5 from 2.9K ratings.

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

Neither Avenza Maps nor Polaris® shows ads.

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

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, and Polaris® monthly. Most recently, Avenza Maps was updated on October 31, 2026 and Polaris® on October 30, 2026.

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

Avenza Maps currently peaks at #24 in the App Store charts, and Polaris® at #95. 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.*