# SPOT Connect vs BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps

The clearest difference is rating: BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps at 4.2 against SPOT Connect's 1.0. BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (26 vs 4). SPOT Connect's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.4). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. SPOT Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps has 26 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of SPOT Connect's written reviews are positive against 35% of BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps's.

SPOT Connect ships an update every 6 months, BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPOT Connect | BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spot-connect/id423066534/reviews) | **[4.2 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brmb-maps-by-backroad-maps/id1528015531/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **26** |
| Positive reviews | 28.2% of reviews | **35.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 230 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SPOT LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/423066537) | [Mussio Ventures Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/991230796) |

## What reviewers say

### SPOT Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spot-connect/id423066534)

This app enables satellite messaging from remote locations by pairing with a dedicated device. Send custom messages, location coordinates, and emergency alerts via satellite to contacts worldwide. Track progress and share your journey with loved ones.

**Highlights:** Satellite messaging, GPS location sharing, SOS emergency alerts, Custom message composition, Automated track progress, Predefined messages, Contact group management

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brmb-maps-by-backroad-maps/id1528015531)

Navigate Canada's backcountry with detailed topographic maps and over 900,000 points of interest. Plan, track, and explore offline for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and more.

**Highlights:** Topographic GPS maps, Current location tracking, Offline map downloads, Custom adventure layers, Trip recording and waypoints, Satellite imagery overlay

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BRMB Maps PRO | $3.99 | per month |
| BRMB Monthly PRO Access | $6.99 | per month |
| BRMB Yearly PRO Access | $44.99 | per year |
| Yearly PRO Promo | $44.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Great maps and data
- 🇨🇦 Excellent for exploring Canada
- ⛰️ Detailed topos and satellite imaging
- 👍 User-friendly for some
- ✨ Recent improvements noted

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive subscription
- 😠 Excessive and disruptive ads
- 🐛 Sync issues (hit or miss)
- 🚫 No waypoint management
- 📱 Poor CarPlay integration

**Reported bugs**

- Unwanted push notifications for challenges
- Issues resetting password
- CarPlay useless (no tracking/waypoint access)
- Sync of data is hit or miss
- Waypoints are a jumble of names, no numbers, folders, filters

**Requested features**

- Icon for mines/pins
- Crown land for BC
- Direction feature with distance and turn directions
- Waypoint management (numbers, folders, filters)
- CarPlay integration with tracking/waypoint access


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SPOT Connect free?

SPOT Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps free?

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SPOT Connect or BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps?

BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps is rated higher. SPOT Connect averages 1.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps averages 4.2 from 26 ratings.

### Do SPOT Connect or BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps have ads?

Neither SPOT Connect nor BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SPOT Connect or BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps?

SPOT Connect ships an update every 6 months, and BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps every 3 weeks. Most recently, SPOT Connect was updated on October 15, 2026 and BRMB Maps by Backroad Maps on October 30, 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.*