Comparison

Outside Maps vs TopoRec

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Outside Maps

View and navigate diverse mapping data on your iPhone or iPad. Access Ordnance Survey maps for Great Britain, worldwide OpenStreetMap, historic maps, and aerial imagery. Features include GPS tracking, compass, and waypoint management.

Highlights
  • View Ordnance Survey maps (Great Britain)
  • Worldwide OpenStreetMap support
  • Historic Ordnance Survey maps
  • Aerial photography
  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • Compass and bearing
  • Waypoint import/export (GPX)
Read full description

*** Please do not use reviews to report bugs or ask for features. I almost never read the reviews and I cannot contact you for additional information! Contact support@outsidemaps.com instead *** Outside Maps is an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch application that enables you to view and navigate a wide variety of mapping data using an easy-to-use touch interface. Outside Maps supports Ordnance Survey mapping for Great Britain at various scales including 1:50000. Outside Maps supports WORLDWIDE coverage for OpenStreetMap, OpenCycleMap and the Stamen and Thunderforest map sources. Outside Maps supports historic 1" Ordnance Survey mapping from 1880-1990 and 1921-1947 courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. Outside Maps supports shaded terrain data for the UK only derived from Ordnance Survey OS Terrain 50. Outside Maps supports shaded terrain data for Scotland only derived from Scottish Government 1m LIDAR. Outside Maps includes ESRI aerial photography courtesy of ESRI. Outside Maps includes the following features: - Intuitive "slippy maps" interface - Native iPad support in both portrait and landscape modes - Current Ordnance Survey mapping is available - OpenStreetMap and derived data is supported at all available resolutions - Historic 1" Ordnance Survey data from 1880-1990 and 1921-1947 - OpenCycleMap support - Thunderforest "Landscape" and "Transport" mapping support - Stamen mapping support - ESRI aerial imagery - Hill-shading mapping for the UK at 50m and selected 1m resolution - Full Ordnance Survey OSTN02 adjustments for highest accuracy (+/- 1m accuracy) - Real-time position tracking via GPS (or WiFi-based positioning) - Compass and bearing (either using GPS and movement tracking or hardware compass if available) - "Lookahead" feature when moving at > 5mph - Waypoints functionality including import and export via GPX format - OS OpenSpace-driven postcode and placename lookup (online only) - Grid reference and latitude/longitude lookup (offline) - what3words support (online only)

About

TopoRec

Explore historical and modern maps with this powerful viewer. Discover locations, record tracks, edit areas, and import/export data. Ideal for historians, archaeologists, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • View historical and modern online maps
  • Capture and edit points, areas, and tracks
  • Import and export data (GPX compatible)
  • Filter maps by type and scale
  • Create custom lines and areas
Features
Read full description

TopoRec – The powerful map viewer for historical & modern maps Explore the world through maps! TopoRec gives you access to both historical and current map data. Discover locations, collect position data, edit areas, record tracks, and export or import your data – all in one app. Perfect for: • Historians & archaeologists • Metal detector enthusiasts • Map lovers & outdoor explorers • History buffs with a curiosity for the past Features at a glance: • View online maps (historical & modern) • Capture & edit points, areas, and tracks • Import & export data (incl. GPX) • Filter maps by type and scale • Create your own lines and areas • Internet connection required Free use with time limitation: All features can be used free and without restrictions for a short time. After approx. 2 minutes per session, a Premium subscription is required to continue without limitations. TopoRec Premium – Your benefits: • Unlimited access to all features • Exclusive extras & new updates • Priority support Subscription info: The annual subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Auto-renewal can be turned off at any time in the account settings. Legal information: • End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Privacy Policy: https://toporec.com/privacy_policy/datenschutzerklaerung.html Rediscover maps – with TopoRec!

Screenshots

Outside Maps3 screens
TopoRec4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TopoRec at 5.0 against Outside Maps's 2.0. TopoRec also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (90% vs 77%). Outside Maps's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume and ads 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. TopoRec sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $17.99 per year. Outside Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TopoRec holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Outside Maps's written reviews are positive against 90% of TopoRec's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Outside Maps ships an update every 2 months, TopoRec every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Outside Maps versus TopoRec: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOutside MapsTopoRec
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.6% of reviews90.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperReplicade Ltd.Enrico Hoffmann

Customer experience

Outside Maps

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews64 reviews
Positive76.6%
Neutral4.7%
Negative18.8%

TopoRec

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive90.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative4.8%

Bugs and requests

Outside Maps

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Text to select map source invisible (white on white)
  • Tile cache unreliable when offline
  • Waypoints move around map accidentally
  • Map selection window not loading (iOS 8)
  • App crashes consistently (iOS 8)
Show 8 more
  • No iPhone 5 support
  • Not fitting larger iPhone screens
  • Help pages not mobile device friendly
  • Tendency for tiles not to match up
  • Tablecloth design instead of map
  • Opening map shows wrong location
  • Blue gridlines instead of map
  • App will not open (iOS 8)

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add zoom function for desktop version
  • Include a 1960's map
  • Ability to import custom map sources
  • Option for selected map source to remain default
  • Reinstate 'Save Waypoint' feature
Show 4 more
  • Add landscape view
  • Improve help section for mobile devices
  • Update for iPhone 5 screens
  • Sort out threading to prevent locking up

TopoRec

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Outside Maps

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

TopoRec

Subscriptions1
  • Premium3 Days trial$17.991 Year

Questions

Is Outside Maps free?
Outside Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TopoRec free?
TopoRec is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Outside Maps or TopoRec?
TopoRec is rated higher. Outside Maps averages 2.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while TopoRec averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Outside Maps or TopoRec have ads?
Neither Outside Maps nor TopoRec shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Outside Maps or TopoRec?
Outside Maps ships an update every 2 months, and TopoRec every 9 days. Most recently, Outside Maps was updated on October 2, 2026 and TopoRec on October 12, 2026.

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