# SPOT Connect vs Earthmate

The clearest difference is rating: Earthmate at 2.7 against SPOT Connect's 1.0. Earthmate also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (272 vs 4). SPOT Connect's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Earthmate holds the better App Store score, 2.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Earthmate has 272 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 28% of SPOT Connect's written reviews are positive against 22% of Earthmate's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SPOT Connect ships an update every 6 months, Earthmate monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SPOT Connect | Earthmate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spot-connect/id423066534/reviews) | **[2.7 (272 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **272** |
| Positive reviews | **28.2% of reviews** | 21.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 10 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [SPOT LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/423066537) | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) |

## 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


### Earthmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758)

Connect your satellite communicator to your mobile device for text messaging, navigation, and trip planning. Access offline maps, track your location, and share your adventures globally. Stay connected and safe on any outdoor expedition.

**Highlights:** Send/receive text messages, Offline topographic maps, Waypoint and route navigation, Tracking and location sharing, Trip logging and planning, Cloud storage for trips, Control inReach device features

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Offline maps
- 📡 Satellite communication
- 💬 Messaging functionality
- 🗺️ Tracking and navigation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
- 🔍 Lacking detailed maps
- 🔑 Login/sync issues
- 🔧 Buggy and unstable
- 🗓️ Frequent app crashes

**Reported bugs**

- Invisible text fields
- Disappearing waypoints and tracks
- Inability to send preset messages from app
- Incorrect wind speed display
- Broken map downloads

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch integration
- Customizable preset messages
- Improved map detail and customization
- Seamless sync between app and device
- Frequent message check intervals


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SPOT Connect free?

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

### Is Earthmate free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SPOT Connect or Earthmate?

Earthmate is rated higher. SPOT Connect averages 1.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Earthmate averages 2.7 from 272 ratings.

### Do SPOT Connect or Earthmate have ads?

Neither SPOT Connect nor Earthmate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SPOT Connect or Earthmate?

SPOT Connect ships an update every 6 months, and Earthmate monthly. Most recently, SPOT Connect was updated on October 15, 2026 and Earthmate on October 19, 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.*