# Outside Maps vs Maps Explorer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Outside Maps at none against Maps Explorer's 3. Outside Maps also leads on ads (none vs shown). Maps Explorer's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Maps Explorer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.69 per month. Outside Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

Outside Maps ships an update every 2 months, Maps Explorer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Outside Maps | Maps Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outside-maps/id412493862/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 10 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Replicade Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1108495920) | [Mykola Sukhyna](https://appshunter.io/developer/1824890330) |

## What reviewers say

### Outside Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outside-maps/id412493862)

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)

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Detailed historical maps
- 📍 GPS overlay on old maps
- 🏠 House names and numbers
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 💡 Useful for delivery drivers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🇦🇺 No Australian maps
- 🐛 UI bugs and glitches
- 🗙 Invisible map source text
- 📉 Unreliable tile cache offline
- ❓ Confusing interface

**Reported bugs**

- 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)

**Requested features**

- 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


### Maps Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maps-explorer/id6748266018)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maps Explorer Monthly | $0.69 | per month |
| Maps Explorer Yearly | $4.99 | per year |
| Maps Explorer Lifetime | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Outside Maps free?

Outside Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Maps Explorer free?

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

### Do Outside Maps or Maps Explorer have ads?

Maps Explorer shows ads; Outside Maps does not.

### Which is updated more often, Outside Maps or Maps Explorer?

Outside Maps ships an update every 2 months, and Maps Explorer fortnightly. Most recently, Outside Maps was updated on October 2, 2026 and Maps Explorer on October 5, 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.*