Maps+ vs BackCountry Navigator XE
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Maps+
Enhance your navigation experience with advanced bookmarking, location-based reminders, and intelligent search. This app offers powerful tools for users who need more from their mapping applications.
- Color-coded bookmarks
- GPX import/export
- Location-based reminders
- Autocomplete search
- Modular settings
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Maps+ — For power users Features • Bookmarks: Colors Labels, GPX Import Export • Location-based Reminders • Search: Autocomplete • Current Location: Info • Settings: Modular Unlock Limitations • 3 bookmarks • GPX Import
BackCountry Navigator XE
Navigate the outdoors with offline maps and GPS functionality. Download maps for various regions and use your device as a handheld GPS. Record tracks, set waypoints, and upload/download trips from the cloud.
- Offline map downloads
- Handheld GPS functionality
- Record tracks with stats
- Set waypoints
- Cloud trip management
- GPX/KML import/export
- Optional map overlays
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Explore the outdoors on your own terms with BackCountry Navigator XE. Choose and download maps for offline use. Use your iOS device as a handheld GPS. Choose from over 50 worldwide and country specific map sources. App makes suggestions based on where the map is centered. The worldwide sources are often the best. Some countries with specific content to consider are Spain, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. With membership, save maps for offline use. An easy grid interface lets you choose blocks for download, and see those you have already downloaded. Switch to offline maps to see what you have downloaded when out in the backcountry. A worldwide vector map, known as the BackCountry World Map, allows for quick download of large blocks. Small size with splendid detail even when zoomed in. Navigate in the wild with GPS Record your path as a track, seeing a customized set of stats as you progress. Set waypoints by tapping the screen or at the current GPS Location. Upload or download trips from the cloud on demand. See the trips on your desktop browser. Import or export GPX or KML. Updated UI for this website is coming soon. Optional overlays enhance map with boundaries, parcel data, or trail maps. BLM boundaries show limits of various types of federal lands within the western United States. Most US States have parcel data and wildlife management boundaries. Use is subject to license agreement at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Maps+ at 4.4 against BackCountry Navigator XE's 2.8. Maps+ also leads on review sentiment (51% vs 22%) and ratings volume (228 vs 36). 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
Both are free to download. Maps+ sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and BackCountry Navigator XE sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.49 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Maps+ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Maps+ has 228 ratings behind it against 36, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Maps+'s written reviews are positive against 22% of BackCountry Navigator XE's.
Maps+ ships an update every 5 weeks, BackCountry Navigator XE every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.
| Parameter | Maps+ | BackCountry Navigator XE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (228 ratings) — better | 2.8 (36 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.7% of reviews — better | 21.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 228 — better | 36 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 164 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | IZE, Ltd. | Jirolabs LLC |
Customer experience
Maps+
BackCountry Navigator XE
Bugs and requests
Maps+
Reported bugs
4 issues- Pins disappearing after updates
- Routing issues and inaccurate directions
- Search results not working
- Frequent crashes and freezes
Requested features
6 requests- More pin/bookmark colors and icons
- Offline map caching
- Sync between devices
- Turn-by-turn voice navigation
- Public transit directions
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- Street view integration
BackCountry Navigator XE
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Maps+
- Unlock Limitations$6.99
BackCountry Navigator XE
- Bronze Subscription7 Days trial$14.491 Year
- Silver Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Gold Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- 500 Coins$4.99
- 1000 Coins$9.99
- 2000 Coins$19.99
Questions
Is Maps+ free?
Is BackCountry Navigator XE free?
Which has better reviews, Maps+ or BackCountry Navigator XE?
Do Maps+ or BackCountry Navigator XE have ads?
Which is updated more often, Maps+ or BackCountry Navigator XE?
Other comparisons
