Comparison

You Need A Map vs 3D Offline Maps

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 Offline Maps

Navigate and explore the world with detailed 2D and 3D offline maps. Record GPS tracks, save routes, and import/export GPX files. Plan adventures, mark points of interest, and share data, even without an internet signal.

Highlights
  • Offline 2D and 3D maps
  • GPS track recording
  • Route planning
  • GPX import/export
  • Unlimited offline map storage
  • Multiple map types
Features
Read full description

Detailed 2D and 3D maps for navigation, travel, hiking, and outdoor adventures all over the world. Download maps in advance, use them offline without internet access, record GPS tracks, save routes and waypoints, import and export GPX files, and keep everything important close at hand on every trip. Plan routes, build your own collection of tracks, mark interesting places on the map, share data with friends, and travel more comfortably even where there is no signal. The app supports offline maps with no time limits on storage and contains no ads. Main features: - 9 map types: satellite, vector, and 3D maps. - compatible with Apple Silicon Macs. - background track recording. - compare tracks by speed, elevation, and time at any distance, including gains and delays relative to a selected reference track. - fast and convenient map downloads. - route planner. - step counter with data for the last three months (steps, distance). - elevation for any waypoint. - address search. - coordinate search. - compass. - barometer. - track processing and optimization. - offline map downloads with unlimited storage time. - supports all available ways on your device to import and export tracks and waypoints in GPX, KML, KMZ format. - color gradient by speed and elevation for imported tracks when this data is available. - color gradient by speed and elevation for recorded tracks. - records speed and elevation in tracks. - contour lines in outdoor mode. - extended track information: average and maximum speed, duration, distance, and number of waypoints. - different units of measurement: miles, kilometers, feet, meters. - view one or multiple tracks in any app mode, including while recording another track. - create, edit, and delete waypoints in any mode and anywhere on the map. - selectable icons for waypoints. - track recording quality settings, distance filters, and power saving mode. - points to the selected waypoint and shows the distance to it. - shows the current distance covered and time on route. - quick start and stop of track recording. - several map orientation modes: by device compass, by direction of movement, centered mode, and north-up mode. - map tilt with a two-finger gesture. - quick selection and convenient viewing of saved tracks, waypoints, and downloaded maps. - speed and elevation charts with zooming and scrolling. - link to the user guide in settings. - waypoint photos: take photos, store them, open the waypoint on the map from the photo, and share your shots. - photo geotagging: coordinates and shooting data are saved in the text caption and in EXIF/GPS metadata. - Terms of Service: https://appsupport.store/terms/ - Privacy Policy: https://appsupport.store/privacy

Screenshots

You Need A Map4 screens
3D Offline Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: 3D Offline Maps at weekly against You Need A Map's every 4 months. 3D Offline Maps also leads on ratings volume (643 vs 53) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. You Need A Map sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and 3D Offline Maps sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

3D Offline Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D Offline Maps has 643 ratings behind it against 53, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of You Need A Map's written reviews are positive against 79% of 3D Offline Maps's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

You Need A Map ships an update every 4 months, 3D Offline Maps weekly. The most recent releases landed on August 28, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
You Need A Map versus 3D Offline Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYou Need A Map3D Offline Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (53 ratings)4.6 (643 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.7% of reviews79.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings53643 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.115.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGrangerFXSERGEI BEZDENEZHNYKH

Customer experience

You Need A Map

All ratings53 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral1.9%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews88 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral11.4%
Negative15.9%

3D Offline Maps

All ratings643 ratings
Positive89.0%
Neutral5.8%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews81 reviews
Positive79.0%
Neutral3.7%
Negative17.3%

User reviews

You Need A Map

From 53 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

3D Offline Maps

From 643 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🗺️ Excellent 3D mapping technology
  • 👍 Clear and colorful visualization
  • 🧭 Effective offline navigation
  • 🔄 Map rotation capability for trail viewing
  • ⛰️ Great for hiking and outdoor activities

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive pricing
  • 🐛 3D offline maps turn black and become grainy
  • 🗺️ Trails not clearly marked or visible
  • 🏷️ Roads not identified or labeled
  • ⏱️ Slow rendering and zoom performance

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 Offline Maps

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 3D offline maps display black and grainy visuals
  • Maps require zooming out and back in to clear display
  • GPX file download compatibility issues
  • Background tracking does not work

Requested features

5 requests
  • CarPlay support integration
  • Map selection icon on main page
  • Current/real-time satellite imagery
  • Map gradients relative to pitch
  • Background tracking functionality

In-app purchases

2 purchases

You Need A Map

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

3D Offline Maps

Subscriptions5
  • Premium Month3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium Week2 variants$1.997 Days
  • Premium Month3 Days trial$3.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Premium Annual3 Days trial$12.991 Year
  • Annual Sale$12.991 Year
One-time2
  • Matching to road$0.99
  • Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is You Need A Map free?
You Need A Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D Offline Maps free?
3D Offline Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, You Need A Map or 3D Offline Maps?
3D Offline Maps is rated higher. You Need A Map averages 4.4 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while 3D Offline Maps averages 4.6 from 643 ratings.
Do You Need A Map or 3D Offline Maps have ads?
Neither You Need A Map nor 3D Offline Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, You Need A Map or 3D Offline Maps?
You Need A Map ships an update every 4 months, and 3D Offline Maps weekly. Most recently, You Need A Map was updated on August 28, 2026 and 3D Offline Maps on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons