Comparison

GIS Kit vs Polaris®

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

Head to head
About

GIS Kit

This app provides powerful mobile mapping and field data collection for iPhone and iPad. It allows users to view and collect geographic data offline, import various file formats, and organize information by projects and layers. It's designed for professional use without requiring desktop software or prior GIS training.

Highlights
  • Offline mapping and data collection
  • Import Shapefiles, KML/KMZ
  • Collect point, line, and polygon features
  • Customizable attribute fields
  • Project and layer organization
  • Wireless data import/export
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Premier field collection and data viewer for iPhone and iPad. - No desktop GIS software required. - No prior GIS training required. - Completely offline capable. - Cache (download) open source topographic maps, street maps and satellite imagery straight from device. - Import ESRI Shapefiles and KML/KMZ files including attributes. - Attribute fields include: Alphanumeric (Description), Photos, numerical values, user defined list of values, addresses, websites, date & time, telephone number, check box. - Easily collect new point, line, and polygon features in the field by GPS or drawing manually. - Enter attribute values for each feature and/or add new attribute types at time of collection. - Create templates of user defined feature classes with custom attributes. - Comes loaded with numerous example feature templates for professional use in Forestry, Wetland Delineation, Stream Surveys, and Real Estate. - Import and export data wirelessly by email. Larger data sets can be imported/exported by connecting to any computer with itunes. - Organize by projects and layers - Best-in-class performance. Check our website to see videos, documentation and more information about the "Pro" version. Please note that all the features of the GIS Pro version (such as Shapefile export) are available through in-app purchase in this app as well. For Businesses: Please note that a separate license is required for each user or each device that is used by multiple users. See http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html for details. Also see http://www.apple.com/business/vpp for information on purchasing in volume. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Polaris®

Manage your powersports vehicle's maintenance, plan adventurous rides with detailed maps and navigation, and discover gear. Connect to in-vehicle displays for an enhanced experience.

Highlights
  • Vehicle service history and maintenance reminders
  • Ride planning with snap-to-trail routing
  • On/offline maps and navigation
  • Group Ride tracking
  • 3D ride replays
  • Gear and accessory shopping
  • Help Center support
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Own your adventure with greater confidence and peace of mind, putting you in the driver seat with access to vehicle and riding details at your fingertips. Information you need when you need it to more easily tackle powersports ownership. Download now and plan your first trip! My Garage View your vehicle service history Stay on top of your maintenance schedules and receive reminders Easily schedule your RideReady service appointments Rides & Community Plan your ultimate ride using snap to trail routing and on/offline maps Navigate during your ride with Group Ride, waypoints, and tracking Relive and share your ride with 3D flyover of your tracked ride Shopping & Support Find your gear & accessories to elevate your ride Easily get your questions answered at the Help Center Unleash the full power by connecting to your in-vehicle display powered by RIDE COMMAND, or upgrade to RIDE COMMAND+ for next level remote vehicle connectivity and control. RIDE COMMAND® is a registered trademark of Polaris Industries Inc. *Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease battery life. Recommend running with power source. **Group Ride functionality requires cellular connectivity. If cellular signal is lost, RIDE COMMAND will show the last known location of riders in your group until signal is established again.

Screenshots

GIS Kit4 screens
Polaris®4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Polaris® at Free against GIS Kit's $99.99. Polaris® also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.5 vs 4.1). GIS Kit's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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

Polaris® is free to download; GIS Kit costs $99.99 up front. GIS Kit sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Polaris® asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Polaris® holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Polaris® has 2.9K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of GIS Kit's written reviews are positive against 45% of Polaris®'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GIS Kit ships an update every 6 weeks, Polaris® monthly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
GIS Kit versus Polaris®: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGIS KitPolaris®
Price$99.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (12 ratings)4.5 (2.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better45.4% of reviews
Number of ratings122.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#99 — better#130
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB176 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperGarafa, LLCPolaris Industries

Customer experience

GIS Kit

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral13.0%
Negative37.0%

Polaris®

All ratings2,942 ratings
Positive86.4%
Neutral4.0%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews216 reviews
Positive45.4%
Neutral9.7%
Negative44.9%

Bugs and requests

GIS Kit

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Polaris®

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Login issues
  • Ride tracking problems
  • Disappearing vehicle data
  • Mapping inaccuracies
  • Constant sign-outs
Show 1 more
  • Compatibility problems

Requested features

7 requests
  • Ability to plan routes
  • Offline map downloads
  • Larger font for map details
  • Dark mode option
  • Apple Watch compatibility
Show 2 more
  • Improved group ride features
  • Better trail updates and coverage

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GIS Kit

One-time1
  • GIS Pro Upgrade$199.99
None

Polaris®

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GIS Kit free?
GIS Kit costs $99.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Polaris® free?
Polaris® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GIS Kit or Polaris®?
Polaris® is rated higher. GIS Kit averages 4.1 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Polaris® averages 4.5 from 2.9K ratings.
Do GIS Kit or Polaris® have ads?
Neither GIS Kit nor Polaris® shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GIS Kit or Polaris®?
GIS Kit ships an update every 6 weeks, and Polaris® monthly. Most recently, GIS Kit was updated on October 29, 2026 and Polaris® on October 29, 2026.
Which is more popular, GIS Kit or Polaris®?
GIS Kit currently peaks at #99 in the App Store charts, and Polaris® at #130. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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