Comparison

Theodolite HD vs Map Plus

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

Head to head
About

Theodolite HD

This app combines a compass, inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, and map for augmented reality navigation. It allows users to capture data-overlay photos and videos, view positions on a map with offline options, and share location data with others. It's designed for professional use and outdoor activities.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality viewfinder
  • Compass and inclinometer
  • GPS and map with offline options
  • Data-overlay photo/video camera
  • Rangefinder and nav calculator
  • Location sharing and team tracking
Read full description

Theodolite HD is a multi-function viewfinder that combines a compass, two-axis inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, map, nav calculator, and geo-overlay photo/movie camera into one indispensable app. Theodolite was one of the very first augmented reality (AR) apps when it was released in 2009, and it’s been downloaded and used by millions of customers since then. Uses are endless, and the app is great for land measurements, outdoor sports, sightseeing, navigation, and finding your way around. Theodolite is a pro grade app and is used extensively by surveyors, geologists, architects, engineers, competitive sportsmen, first responders, military personnel, and search and rescue workers around the world. Theodolite lets you take data-overlay photos and movies with 2X-8X zoom. Overlay geographical data, angle markings, date/time, author/company info, and project notes directly on photos and movies for later reference. The same data is written into the metadata record of images, making image files self-contained data records. Third-party apps can tap into Theodolite's advanced camera functions with a camera sharing feature. View current position on the built-in map with optional offline Outdoors maps that include topo contours, roads, trails, landmarks, campgrounds, ski lifts, and more. Live map markers continually update distance/heading relative to the current location and also show wayfinding info in the main viewfinder. Draw polygons on the map to mark things like property boundaries and trails, and import/export polygon data via KML. Share map markers and nav calculator points with other users of Theodolite via text messages or e-mail. This powerful capability opens up a wide range of collaborative uses including team land surveying, accident investigations, spotting wild fires, triangulation of landmarks, and advanced tactical observation and targeting. With an optional in-app purchase to enable team tracking, you can share location with up to 20 people on Theodolite's map. Theodolite includes features for serious users like a reference angle mode, nav calculator, map marker import/export, manual and automatic data logging with CSV and KML export, clipboard integration, %grade display, mil compass readout, optical rangefinders (including a mil-based reticle, sniper-style stadiametric graphs, and a variable 4X-24X scope), and night filters to improve use in dark conditions. Theodolite can provide location in military grid reference system (MGRS) coordinates, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, British/Irish National Grids, US National Grid, Maidenhead locator system, Map Grid of Australia, and six latitude/longitude formats. Optional US State Plane coordinates include SPCS27 and SPCS83 zones covering all US States. The optional Datum Pack adds over 230 geodetic datums to the app to improve position computation from GPS data, covering regions and countries on all continents around the world. AR Layers include navigational aids like the sun, moon, planets, and Polaris (North star), and the optional US Mountain Summits layer that shows over 70,000 US mountain summits in the viewfinder. Theodolite has been shown in Apple Keynotes, featured on the App Store, and has been a #1 selling Navigation app in App Stores around the world. Since its introduction in 2009, Theodolite has defined augmented reality navigation. The app continually introduces new technologies, pushing the limits of iOS app development and taking advantage of new hardware capabilities. Find out why Apple named Theodolite one of the most amazing apps available and showed it being used to explore the Great Wall of China. Where will you take it on your next adventure? Note: Theodolite HD is an iPad app -- see the regular “Theodolite” app for use on an iPhone or iPod Touch. And be sure to check out the all-new "Theodolite for Watch" and put Theodolite on your wrist!

About

Map Plus

This app is a powerful tool for viewing and editing custom maps, managing geographic data, and planning outdoor activities. It supports various map and GIS file formats, offers on-map editing, GPS track recording, and data sharing.

Highlights
  • View and edit custom maps
  • Manage geographic data
  • Support for GIS vector and common file formats
  • Offline map viewing
  • GPS track recording and path following
  • On-map vector editing
  • Data sharing via multiple methods
Features
Read full description

The most powerful and versatile tool for viewing and editing custom maps, surveying, editing or managing mass of your geography data. ● You can use Map Plus as a professional GIS tool for geographic data gathering, editing, measuring, cartography, surveying, planning, online/offline viewing and many other management. ● You can also use Map Plus to help your outdoor activities and global travels, for trip planning, offline map downloading, track/photo/video recording, and sharing memories with friends. Besides common map features such as locating, searching, Map Plus provides many more special: ● Configuring, viewing and downloading any online maps of XYZ/WMS/WMTS patterns, or using scripts to configure more complex ones. ● Handling GIS vector file formats, such as Shape(SHP), TAB, GEOJSON, GML/GZ, AutoCAD DXF... ● Handling Common GIS file formats such as KML, KMZ, GPX, CSV, WPT.. Supported styles in KML/KMZ. ● Handling offline map file formats such as MBTiles, RMaps... ● On-map vector editing with finger drag-drop and magnetic snap. ● GPS Track Recording with auto-recovery and background mode support. ● Path Following with voice guidance for both user paths and searched direction routes. ● Displaying locations of photos and videos in your system photo albums. (no need to import) ● User data management with folders, sub-folders, layers, bulk operations, shortcuts, tags and fuzzy searches. Supports Advanced Search by using expressions with attribute conditions. ● Using Feature Class for bulk editing and managing similar (same class of) features and layers all together. Supports bulk Attributes Merge and Link Relationship Building between features of different classes. ● Conditional Style and Expression provide dynamic content rendering. ● Customizable pop-up panel for on-map picking items with HTML, JS and CSS support to make custom forms, layout and rich-formatted content. ● Handling coordinates in MGRS, UTM, and Plus Code. ● Photo Markup allows you draw markups on photo, such as arrows, texts, free-hand drawings. ● Browser Access allows you to access app's data or files from a desktop PC/Mac with a web browser wirelessly. ● Sharing or transferring data via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, iCloud, SMS, Email, QR codes, Open-In, AirDrop or many other ways. ● Many more fantastic and free functions could not be fully descriped here, such as Guide Mark, Arrival Notification, Photo Mode, Map Level Adjust, Custom Icons, Photo/Video Attachments, Image Overlay, Text Overlay, Fast Editing, Distance/Perimeter/Area Measuring, Custom Time Zone, etc. User Manual: https://duweis.com/en/mapplus_guide.html Contact Us: support@duweis.com

Screenshots

Map Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Map Plus at Free against Theodolite HD's $8.99. Map Plus also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (633 vs 136). Theodolite HD's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (91% vs 83%). On rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Map Plus is free to download; Theodolite HD costs $8.99 up front. Theodolite HD sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Map Plus sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Theodolite HD against 4.6 for Map Plus. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 136 and 633 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Theodolite HD's written reviews are positive against 83% of Map Plus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Theodolite HD ships an update every 4 months, Map Plus monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 1, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Theodolite HD versus Map Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTheodolite HDMap Plus
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (136 ratings) — better4.6 (633 ratings)
Positive reviews91.1% of reviews — better82.6% of reviews
Number of ratings136633 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCraig HunterMiocool Inc.

Customer experience

Theodolite HD

All ratings136 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews158 reviews
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.7%

Map Plus

All ratings633 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews230 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral4.3%
Negative13.0%

User reviews

Theodolite HD

From 136 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🔍 Accurate measurements and data
  • 📷 Useful photo documentation features
  • 🧭 Versatile for various applications
  • 🏫 Great for educational and teaching purposes

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Occasional compass/sensor accuracy issues
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for maps and features
  • 📱 Separate iPhone and iPad versions require double purchase
  • 🔄 Lack of screen rotation support on some devices

Map Plus

From 633 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful mapping features
  • 👍 Customizable and versatile
  • 🗺️ Offline map support
  • 💡 Useful for various industries (surveying, construction, outdoor activities)
  • 🔍 Detailed and accurate mapping

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
  • 🔍 Steep learning curve for some users
  • 📁 Difficulty managing data and files
  • 🔧 Limited documentation and support
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection

Bugs and requests

Theodolite HD

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional crashes or freezes, especially on older devices
  • Camera orientation issues on some devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to set elevation angle to 0 degrees horizontal
  • Implement cross-device sync and data sharing
  • Expand map coverage and reduce in-app purchase costs
  • Add support for more camera features like video recording

Map Plus

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when loading large datasets
  • Issues with map layer visibility and synchronization
  • Problems with coordinate system and projection support
  • Inconsistent behavior when using certain features

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved user interface and navigation
  • Better integration with other mapping/GIS software
  • Route planning and navigation capabilities
  • Ability to import and export more file formats
  • Improved offline map caching and performance

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Theodolite HD

One-time8
  • 1,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$0.99
  • Team Tracking$1.99
  • World Datum Pack$2.99
Show 5 more
  • US Mountain Summits AR Layer$2.99
  • 5,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$4.99
  • 10,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$8.99
  • 20,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$17.99
  • US State Plane Coordinates$24.99
10 purchases

Map Plus

One-time10
  • Large File Support$0.99
  • Enhanced Map$0.99
  • Donate$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Export GPX Support$2.99
  • Enhanced Format$2.99
  • Remove Advertisements$3.99
  • Enhanced GIS$4.99
  • Enhanced Editing$5.99
  • Enhanced Photo$8.99
  • Full-Function Package$19.99

Questions

Is Theodolite HD free?
Theodolite HD costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Map Plus free?
Map Plus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Theodolite HD or Map Plus?
Theodolite HD is rated higher. Theodolite HD averages 4.7 out of 5 from 136 ratings, while Map Plus averages 4.6 from 633 ratings.
Do Theodolite HD or Map Plus have ads?
Map Plus shows ads; Theodolite HD does not.
Which is updated more often, Theodolite HD or Map Plus?
Theodolite HD ships an update every 4 months, and Map Plus monthly. Most recently, Theodolite HD was updated on August 1, 2026 and Map Plus on September 26, 2026.

Other comparisons