# Avenza Maps vs Car Play Connect

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Avenza Maps | Car Play Connect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (129K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avenza-maps-offline-mapping/id388424049/reviews)** | [4.5 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/car-play-connect-auto-sync/id6751472670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **129K** | 2.9K |
| Positive reviews | **51.2% of reviews** | 27.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#16** | #68 |
| Size | 344 MB | 196 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Avenza Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/387212805) | [VALERY STAKARSKI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871747624) |

## What reviewers say

### Avenza Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #16 Top Grossing · Navigation, #68 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| 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


### Car Play Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/car-play-connect-auto-sync/id6751472670)

**Currently charting:** #68 Top Grossing · Navigation, #134 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extra display for your car | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Extra display for your car | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Extra display for your car | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Extra display for your car | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Extra display for your car | $9.99 | per month |
| Extra display for your car | $19.99 | per year |
| Extra display for your car | $19.99 | per year |
| Extra display for your car | $24.99 | per year |
| Extra display for your car | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 #16 in the App Store charts, and Car Play Connect at #68. 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.*