Comparison

Avenza Maps vs Car Play Connect

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 confidently anywhere with offline maps and precise GPS location awareness. Discover and import maps from trusted publishers or your own files, ideal for professional field work and outdoor adventures without a signal.

Highlights
  • Offline GPS navigation
  • Custom map import (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF)
  • Record GPS tracks
  • Navigate with compass tools
  • Add photos and notes to locations
  • Measure distances
  • Supports KML, GPX, CSV formats
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

Car Play Connect

Connect your phone to your car's display for safe access to navigation, music, and calls. Enjoy a driver-friendly interface and seamless integration with popular apps for a smoother, more convenient driving experience.

Highlights
  • Navigation access
  • Music playback
  • Call management
  • Message access
  • App integration
  • Driver-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

Stay connected and entertained safely while driving with our app. Access navigation, music, calls, and messages directly from your car’s display, making every drive smoother and more convenient. Key Features: – Easy access to navigation, music, and calls – Integration with popular apps for seamless use – Clean and driver-friendly interface – Stable connection for uninterrupted performance Subscription Details: – Annual Plan: $19.99/year Enjoy smarter, safer, and more connected driving! Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. Privacy Policy: https://addcarwidgets.com/app-privacy Terms of Use: https://addcarwidgets.com/app-terms

Screenshots

Avenza Maps4 screens
Car Play Connect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Avenza Maps at free with in-app purchases against Car Play Connect's subscription. Avenza Maps also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (51% vs 28%). Car Play Connect's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.3 vs 18.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per year and Car Play Connect sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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 129K 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 28% of Car Play Connect's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, Car Play Connect every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Avenza Maps versus Car Play Connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAvenza MapsCar Play Connect
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (129K ratings) — better4.5 (2.9K ratings)
Positive reviews51.2% of reviews — better27.6% of reviews
Number of ratings129K — better2.9K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#17 — better#70
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size344 MB196 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvenza Systems Inc.VALERY STAKARSKI

Customer experience

Avenza Maps

All ratings128,517 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews890 reviews
Positive51.2%
Neutral6.7%
Negative42.0%

Car Play Connect

All ratings2,838 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral3.7%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews123 reviews
Positive27.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative67.5%

User reviews

Avenza Maps

From 129K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Car Play Connect

From 2.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Good
  • 👍 Very good
  • 👍 Check
  • 👍 Car play
  • 🚀 Super app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Not compatible with my vehicle
  • 🔒 Requested a refund but was denied
  • 🔒 Hard paywall, nothing available for free

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

Car Play Connect

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Maps not working properly (no turn-by-turn, no expected Time of Arrival, no miles)
  • Weather app not working
  • App not loading on car screen

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to rearrange and change the three windows (Apple Maps, Apple Music, Weather)
  • Integration between the CarPlay maps and Apple Maps
  • Ability to play playlists, albums, and shuffle in Apple Music
  • Reliable Weather app

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Avenza Maps

Subscriptions2
  • Avenza Maps Plus1 Month trial$34.991 Year
  • Avenza Maps Pro1 Month trial$169.991 Year
One-time8
  • Forest Service Topo Product$0.99
  • Garmin Tier 1$0.99
  • BaseImage, LLC Map Product$0.99
Show 5 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
  • National Geographic Map Product$11.99
9 purchases

Car Play Connect

Subscriptions9
  • Extra display for your car$4.997 Days
  • Extra display for your car3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Extra display for your car$6.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Extra display for your car3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Extra display for your car2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Extra display for your car$19.991 Year
  • Extra display for your car3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Extra display for your car3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Extra display for your car$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Avenza Maps free?
Avenza Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Car Play Connect free?
Car Play Connect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Avenza Maps or Car Play Connect?
Avenza Maps is rated higher. Avenza Maps averages 4.8 out of 5 from 129K ratings, while Car Play Connect averages 4.5 from 2.9K ratings.
Do Avenza Maps or Car Play Connect have ads?
Car Play Connect shows ads; Avenza Maps does not.
Which is updated more often, Avenza Maps or Car Play Connect?
Avenza Maps ships an update every 2 months, and Car Play Connect every 3 days. Most recently, Avenza Maps was updated on November 11, 2026 and Car Play Connect on November 8, 2026.
Which is more popular, Avenza Maps or Car Play Connect?
Avenza Maps currently peaks at #17 in the App Store charts, and Car Play Connect at #70. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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