# Tomstrails GPS Duo vs GPS Tools®

Tomstrails GPS Duo and GPS Tools® both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 91% of Tomstrails GPS Duo's written reviews are positive against 54% of GPS Tools®'s. Tomstrails GPS Duo also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.1). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GPS Tools® sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 6 months. Tomstrails GPS Duo asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Tomstrails GPS Duo against 4.6 for GPS Tools®. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 149 and 338 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Tomstrails GPS Duo's written reviews are positive against 54% of GPS Tools®'s.

Tomstrails GPS Duo ships an update monthly, GPS Tools® every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tomstrails GPS Duo | GPS Tools® |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (149 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tomstrails-gps-duo/id425642315/reviews)** | [4.6 (338 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-tools-navigate-and-explore/id1290310638/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 149 | **338** |
| Positive reviews | **90.6% of reviews** | 54.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 10 MB | 124 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tomstrails.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/425642318) | [VirtualMaze](https://appshunter.io/developer/327888757) |

## What reviewers say

### Tomstrails GPS Duo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tomstrails-gps-duo/id425642315)

This app displays your location using various global coordinate systems, including British, Irish, MGRS, and UTM grids, as well as latitude and longitude. It features an optimized battery life for extended use and a high-contrast display for readability in all conditions.

**Highlights:** Multiple grid formats (British, Irish, MGRS, UTM), Latitude & Longitude display, Optimized battery life, High-contrast display, Simultaneous grid format display

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 🎯 Accurate GPS coordinates and location tracking
- ⚡ Fast performance and quick GPS fixes
- 🔋 Low battery consumption
- 📍 Multiple coordinate system support (Lat/Long, UTM, MGRS, OS Grid)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🧭 Azimuth/compass readings reported as ~30 degrees off
- 📍 Limited coordinate system options (missing NAD83)
- 🔄 Recent UI changes made coordinate systems less accessible
- ⌚ Apple Watch functionality limited or unavailable
- 🌙 No dark mode or night navigation support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch in certain locations
- iPad GPS not recognized despite device capability
- Azimuth readings approximately 30 degrees inaccurate
- Google Maps linking feature broken in recent updates
- Inconsistent performance with older iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch full compatibility
- Dark mode or inverted colors for night navigation
- Portrait orientation mode
- 10-figure grid references instead of 8-figure
- NAD83 coordinate system support


### GPS Tools®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-tools-navigate-and-explore/id1290310638)

This comprehensive navigation app offers a suite of GPS-based tools for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. It provides accurate location finding, speed tracking, compass directions, weather forecasts, and area measurement. The app is battery-optimized and works offline, making it a reliable companion for any journey.

**Highlights:** Accurate GPS location finding, Speedometer and altimeter, Compass directions, Weather forecasts and rain alerts, Area measurement tool, GPS alarm for transit, Offline functionality

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Platinum Premium | $2.49 | per 6 months |
| Weather Pro Premium | $3.99 | per 6 months |
| Background Image - 2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Background Image - 8 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Background Image - 14 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Special Ad Removal Offer | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ad Removal Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Compass Skin - 0 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Special BG Customization Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| BG Customisation Pack | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tomstrails GPS Duo free?

Tomstrails GPS Duo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is GPS Tools® free?

GPS Tools® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Tomstrails GPS Duo or GPS Tools®?

Tomstrails GPS Duo is rated higher. Tomstrails GPS Duo averages 4.6 out of 5 from 149 ratings, while GPS Tools® averages 4.6 from 338 ratings.

### Do Tomstrails GPS Duo or GPS Tools® have ads?

Neither Tomstrails GPS Duo nor GPS Tools® shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tomstrails GPS Duo or GPS Tools®?

Tomstrails GPS Duo ships an update monthly, and GPS Tools® every 3 weeks. Most recently, Tomstrails GPS Duo was updated on October 23, 2026 and GPS Tools® on October 29, 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.*