Comparison

You Need A Map vs 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model

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

Head to head
About

You Need A Map

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
Read full description

If you get lost or in an emergency, YOU NEED A MAP! A map that covers the entire USA, all 50 states. A map that works everywhere even without a cell phone signal. A map that shows not just roads but also terrain, streams, lakes and other landmarks. Note: If you would prefer a small app that caches online maps covering the entire world, please see the More by GrangerFX section below and try the free Scenic Map app. Get You Need A Map if you want an offline map the entire USA as a single large download. The paid apps have built in maps with full resolution terrain. Your iPhone has a great online map but all it takes is one wrong turn and you could find yourself lost with no cell phone signal. What is the fastest way back to the highway? Should you go forwards or back? Is there a better road just a short distance away? Is there a raging stream or an steep cliff between you and the road? YOU NEED A MAP! You Need A Map is a huge application. It has to be. It contains every mountain, hill, stream, lake, pond, freeway, highway, local road and track. In addition it contains many buildings, trails, railways, points of interest and polygon features. It has everything you need to find out where you are and what is around you anywhere in the USA. Most navigation apps on the iPhone and iPad must transfer all their maps from servers on the internet. This can be slow in areas with only 2G coverage or completely unavailable in wilderness areas where a map would be most useful. You Need A Map solves this problem by storing maps directly on your iPhone or iPad. This extremely fast high quality software renderer is the first of its kind for mobile devices. If you do have a cellular or WiFi internet connect, Satellite image overlays add breathtaking detail and realism to the maps (tap preset 2 or 4 when Online Map is enabled). You can use them as you travel to see what is hidden from view at ground level. This takes moving maps to a whole new level. Tap the arrow in the toolbar to enable GPS tracking. As you move, you will generate a track file which you can replay. You can also import GPX tracks generated in other programs and play them. While recording or playing a track, the map will be centered on the current location and rotated towards the direction of travel and rendered in 2D or 3D with silky smooth animation. When playing a track, you can speed up, slow down, pause, restart or skip to the end. Send your GPX tracks to other apps or email them. Want to learn more about a map feature? Click the target icon and center it under the compass rose to display its name, feature type, urban area, state, elevation and coordinates. You will also see a bearing line back to your current GPS location or from your location to a selected waypoint. The status will display the direction and distance along with the map and GPS elevation, the track length, and your current speed and direction of travel You Need A Map uses the same code as Scenic Map and has most of the same features. These include many map customization options, customizable waypoints, direction and bearing information, a smooth scrolling moving map display while driving or flying, city search and much more. You can also get the full feature set of Scenic Map with an in-app purchase including the new online maps of the entire world. Documentation, detailed coverage maps, installation guide and blog are available on ScenicMap.com You Need A Map covers the entire USA including all 50 states Map data © OpenStreetMap and contributors under the Open Database License You Need A Map supports GPS tracking while the app is in the background. Caution: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

3D GIS Digital Elevation Model

Create and manipulate 3D models from various online and local data sources. Analyze and export models in multiple formats, with features for cutting, scaling, and animation. Perform real-world calculations for surface area and volume.

Highlights
  • Generate 3D models from online/local data
  • Export data to STL, OBJ, and satellite images
  • Cut, re-scale, and animate models
  • Calculate surface area and volume
  • Geo-positioned character controller
  • Supports UTM and Geographic Coordinate Systems
Features
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Quickly generate 3D models: Directly from the internet; Bing Maps, Mapbox, and ArcGIS or from a cloud point stored locally. Export real data: From point cloud data in CSV or TXT to 3D models in STL or OBJ and satellite images. Operate: Cut, re-scale, and animate models for representation, analysis, and calculations. Compute operations: Calculate surface areas and volumes of a model in real-world units with little difference compared to ArcGIS. Explore: Character controller geo positioned in real-world coordinate systems such as UTM and Geographic Coordinate System.

Screenshots

You Need A Map4 screens
3D GIS Digital Elevation Model4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: You Need A Map at 72% against 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model's 0%. You Need A Map also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.0) and ratings volume (53 vs 2). 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. You Need A Map sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

You Need A Map holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: You Need A Map has 53 ratings behind it against 2, 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 0% of 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

You Need A Map ships an update every 4 months, 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
You Need A Map versus 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYou Need A Map3D GIS Digital Elevation Model
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (53 ratings) — better2.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews71.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings53 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.110.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB176 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGrangerFXAndres Narvaez

Customer experience

You Need A Map

All ratings53 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral1.9%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews89 reviews
Positive71.9%
Neutral11.2%
Negative16.9%

3D GIS Digital Elevation Model

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

You Need A Map

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

9 requests
  • 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
Show 4 more
  • Provide a user guide within the app
  • Add status icon for GPS signal acquisition
  • Make maps selectable by region to reduce download size
  • Improve street name alignment/readability

3D GIS Digital Elevation Model

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

You Need A Map

One-time2
  • 3D MappingFree
  • Scenic Map Features$4.99
3 purchases

3D GIS Digital Elevation Model

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly License3 Days trial$3.497 Days
  • Monthly License$9.491 Month
  • Yearly License$99.991 Year

Questions

Is You Need A Map free?
You Need A Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model free?
3D GIS Digital Elevation Model is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, You Need A Map or 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model?
You Need A Map is rated higher. You Need A Map averages 4.4 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model averages 2.0 from 2 ratings.
Do You Need A Map or 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model have ads?
Neither You Need A Map nor 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model shows ads.
Which is updated more often, You Need A Map or 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model?
You Need A Map ships an update every 4 months, and 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model every 3 months. Most recently, You Need A Map was updated on October 8, 2026 and 3D GIS Digital Elevation Model on September 22, 2026.

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