# Mapster vs GPS Tracker

The clearest difference is update cadence: GPS Tracker at every 5 days against Mapster's every 14 months. GPS Tracker also leads on ratings volume (633 vs 15) and review sentiment (71% vs 62%). Mapster's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mapster sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and GPS Tracker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Mapster holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GPS Tracker has 633 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of Mapster's written reviews are positive against 71% of GPS Tracker's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Mapster ships an update every 14 months, GPS Tracker every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mapster | GPS Tracker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapster/id409304946/reviews)** | [4.6 (633 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-tracker-offline-maps-gpx/id1536318799/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **633** |
| Positive reviews | 62.1% of reviews | **71.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 11 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Syzygy Research & Technology Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/409047387) | [SERGEI BEZDENEZHNYKH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1519570418) |

## What reviewers say

### Mapster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapster/id409304946)

Explore the Earth with detailed offline maps featuring topographical hillshading and contour lines. Discover hiking trails, ski runs, and geographical features, even without an internet connection. Access up-to-date information from OpenStreetMap for navigation and exploration.

**Highlights:** Detailed topographical maps, Offline map access, Hillshading and contour lines, OpenStreetMap data integration, Real-time location tracking, Monthly map updates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited downloads for 30 days | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited downloads for 1 Year | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌍 Works offline without cell service
- 🗺️ Highly detailed maps for remote areas
- 📍 Accurate location tracking
- 🌲 Excellent for off-road and bush navigation
- 👍 Easy to use and simple interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📉 Data can be old
- 😵 Text hard to read at highest detail
- ❓ No key for map symbols
- 🔵 Cannot turn off location circle
- 😩 Too many nag screens

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes continuously
- Cannot search for locations
- Crashes a lot more with latest iOS 6
- Doesn't allow a dropped pin to read an elevation
- Map shifts to wrong layout when zooming

**Requested features**

- Street view
- 3D aspect on buildings
- Team up with Google maps for details
- More contour readings
- Searchable placemarks


### GPS Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-tracker-offline-maps-gpx/id1536318799)

Record, create, and import GPX tracks and waypoints with offline maps and a compass. Features background recording, GPS noise filtering, and a step counter. Ideal for everyday trips and expeditions.

**Highlights:** Background track recording, Offline map downloads, GPX track import/export, Route planning, Step counter, Compass and barometer, Topographic contour lines

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Month | $3.99 | per month |
| Premium Subscriptions | $12.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Offline maps
- 👍 Useful for remote areas
- 👍 Helpful for land management
- 👍 Good for hunting and tourism

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Maps not updated
- 🐛 Subscription required for full functionality
- 🔋 Drains battery
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes after iOS 17.4 update
- Subscription paywall blocks access to basic features
- Offline maps not loading

**Requested features**

- Add option to manually enter GPS coordinates
- Improve map accuracy and update frequency
- Provide more offline map storage
- Add distance measurement tool


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mapster free?

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

### Is GPS Tracker free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mapster or GPS Tracker?

Mapster is rated higher. Mapster averages 4.9 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while GPS Tracker averages 4.6 from 633 ratings.

### Do Mapster or GPS Tracker have ads?

Neither Mapster nor GPS Tracker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mapster or GPS Tracker?

Mapster ships an update every 14 months, and GPS Tracker every 5 days. Most recently, Mapster was updated on October 20, 2026 and GPS Tracker on October 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.*