# You Need A Map vs Forest Maps 2

The clearest difference is rating: Forest Maps 2 at 4.7 against You Need A Map's 4.4. Forest Maps 2 also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (588 vs 53). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. You Need A Map sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Forest Maps 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Forest Maps 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Forest Maps 2 has 588 ratings behind it against 53, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of You Need A Map's written reviews are positive against 78% of Forest Maps 2's.

You Need A Map ships an update every 4 months, Forest Maps 2 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | You Need A Map | Forest Maps 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/you-need-a-map/id415545903/reviews) | **[4.7 (588 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forest-maps-2/id1261518983/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 53 | **588** |
| Positive reviews | 71.9% of reviews | **78.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 66 MB | 95 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GrangerFX](https://appshunter.io/developer/363698835) | [Kinnaman Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/679806187) |

## What reviewers say

### You Need A Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/you-need-a-map/id415545903)

This app provides detailed offline 3D topographic maps of the entire USA. It includes terrain, roads, water bodies, and landmarks, functioning even without a cell signal. It's ideal for navigation and emergency situations where connectivity is unreliable.

**Highlights:** Offline 3D topographic maps, Covers all 50 US states, Works without cell signal, Shows terrain, roads, and landmarks, GPS tracking and track replay, Detailed feature information display, Satellite image overlays

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3D Mapping | Free | one-time |
| Scenic Map Features | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Excellent offline maps
- ⛰️ Detailed terrain and 3D view
- 📸 Useful for photography planning
- ✈️ Great for pilots and aviation
- 🌲 Ideal for backcountry/remote areas

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💾 Large file size
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🗺️ Missing specific locations (e.g., Isle Royale)
- 📉 Outdated map data in some areas
- ❓ Unintuitive at times

**Reported bugs**

- Dark mode alphanumeric display issue
- App crashes when touching GPS icon
- App won't open after update
- Download issues
- 3D feature purchase unavailable

**Requested features**

- Prioritize favorite waypoints
- Update satellite imagery
- Improve search functionality for towns/streets
- Add BLM and state trust land overlays
- Add Retina display graphics for new iPads


### Forest Maps 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forest-maps-2/id1261518983)

Access detailed maps of all U.S. National Forests on your mobile device. Save favorite locations and synchronize them across devices. Offline map downloads and track recording are available with a Pro upgrade.

**Highlights:** U.S. Forest Service maps, Continuous map view, Favorite spot markers, iCloud synchronization, Offline map downloads, GPS location tracking, Track recording and export

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent maps
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💯 Reliable and accurate
- 🗺️ Detailed topographical maps
- 📥 Ability to download entire forest maps

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezing
- 🗺️ Maps can be outdated in some areas
- 💰 Paid upgrade required for full functionality
- 📍 Difficulty in dropping precise pins or markers

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatibility issues with iOS 13
- Tracking feature not always working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to import/export waypoints and locations
- Integration with other navigation apps
- Overlays for MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) data
- Browser version for route planning
- More customization options for pins and markers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is You Need A Map free?

You Need A Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Forest Maps 2 free?

Forest Maps 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, You Need A Map or Forest Maps 2?

Forest Maps 2 is rated higher. You Need A Map averages 4.4 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Forest Maps 2 averages 4.7 from 588 ratings.

### Do You Need A Map or Forest Maps 2 have ads?

Neither You Need A Map nor Forest Maps 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, You Need A Map or Forest Maps 2?

You Need A Map ships an update every 4 months, and Forest Maps 2 every 6 weeks. Most recently, You Need A Map was updated on October 8, 2026 and Forest Maps 2 on October 13, 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.*