Comparison

Elevation Survey vs ArcGIS Field Maps

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

Head to head
About

Elevation Survey

This app simplifies leveling surveys by automatically calculating instrument and ground heights. It allows for instant computation of staff readings for layout work and offers flexible data entry modes. Survey data can be easily exported and shared.

Highlights
  • Automatic HI and GH calculation
  • Instant staff reading computation for layout
  • Color-coded input and results
  • Add notes for projects
  • Export data as CSV
  • Standard and Staff data entry modes
  • In-app tutorial
Features
Read full description

Make leveling surveys smarter at any construction site. With the Elevation Survey app, you no longer need a field notebook, calculator, or pencil. Just enter the staff readings and the app instantly performs all the calculations, helping you complete surveying tasks efficiently and smoothly. Results are saved within the app and can be exported as CSV files or images. Share data instantly with colleagues using various methods for fast on-site delivery. The app supports the Instrument Height (HI) method, with a built-in tutorial that explains both app usage and surveying basics for beginners. 【Key Features】 • Automatically calculate Instrument Height (HI) and Ground Height (GH) from the benchmark elevation and staff readings • Enter design elevation to instantly compute the staff readings needed for batter board (layout) work • Add or delete rows freely • Color-coded display for input values and calculation results, improving readability • Add memos for each project or site • Export survey data as CSV, editable in Excel • Switch between Standard Mode and Staff Mode • Staff Mode allows intuitive entry, just like reading the staff directly through the level • Duplicate, delete, or edit past survey data • Built-in "How to Use" guide explains app operations, the HI method, and basic surveying for beginners • Cloud backup protects your valuable data — recover anytime from the cloud, even if your device is lost or damaged. Share data with various methods. • Multi-language support — available in 40+ languages • Convert recorded data between meters, feet & inches, and decimal feet • Data input units: meters, feet & inches, or decimal feet • 10-day free trial. After that, free for one project. Unlock all limits with a monthly or yearly subscription • Cancel your subscription anytime — use with peace of mind • Subscribers get unlimited project registration and unlimited data sharing Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

ArcGIS Field Maps

This app provides mobile workers with interactive digital maps to understand their surroundings, locate assets, and collect data. It features smart forms for efficient data entry, offline capabilities, and location sharing for coordination and safety. Designed for organizational use, it supports fieldwork for various teams.

Highlights
  • Interactive digital maps
  • Smart forms for data collection
  • Offline map capabilities
  • Location sharing and tracking
  • Geofence alerts
  • Asset scanning and annotation
  • Data editing and syncing
Features
Read full description

ArcGIS is available on your desktop, in a browser, and now on your iPhone or iPad. ArcGIS Field Maps is Esri’s premier maps app on mobile devices. Field Maps helps mobile workers understand their surroundings, find assets, collect data, and perform inspections, leveraging interactive digital maps that contain up-to-date GIS data from their organization. It includes powerful features like location sharing, smart forms for efficient data collection, geofence alerts, and the ability to complete fieldwork even when offline. Whether you're part of a utility crew, a conservation team, or a city inspection unit,Field Mapsis designed to support the work you do on the ground. Note about permissions:Field Maps is designed for organizational use. This app requires you to have an ArcGIS organizational account to collect and update data. Public maps shared by organizations can be viewed without signing in. Understand your surroundings: - View assets and surrounding landmarks or places on GPS-enabled maps. - Search for assets and access important information about them. - Use compass guidance to lead you directly to assets and locations. - Scan barcodes or QR codes to pull up asset records instantly. - Annotate directly on the map with your finger or stylus to create personal notes. - Leverage integration with voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation apps to get to your assets. - Stay safe with geofence alerts as you enter fire zones, wildlife habitats, work areas, etc. - Measure distances and areas in the map. - Gain advanced understanding by viewing and tracing utility networks. - View stationing information along linear assets. - View assets and locations in floor-aware indoor maps. Perform data capture and inspections: - Create new or edit existing asset data. - Connect to external GNSS receivers for high-accuracy data. - Digitally document inspection records. - Capture photos, videos, and other attachments. - Speed up data capture with smart forms and reduce manual entry by automatically filling in fields like date or inspector name and making automated calculations. - Share your updates instantly with your organization when using an online map and automatically sync stored updates to offline maps when connected. - Collect assets and perform inspections indoors. Share your location for coordination & safety: - Share your location with supervisors and teammates (when enabled). - View teammate locations to coordinate efforts and ensure safety (when enabled). - Tracks show where you’ve been so you can visually see what area you’ve covered. Work offline in remote or disconnected areas: - Download offline map areas created for you. - Create your own offline map areas on device (if enabled). - Sync edits automatically or manually when connected. Coordination and collaboration: - View edits and contributions from others as they are synced with your map. - Use tasks to view and complete field assignments from a to-do list. - Stakeholders can view fieldwork progress in the office and make data-informed decisions. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Screenshots

Elevation Survey4 screens
ArcGIS Field Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ArcGIS Field Maps at none against Elevation Survey's 2. ArcGIS Field Maps also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Elevation Survey's advantage is review sentiment (31% vs 11%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, ads and device support 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

Both are free to download. Elevation Survey sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. ArcGIS Field Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elevation Survey ships an update every 3 months, ArcGIS Field Maps monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Elevation Survey versus ArcGIS Field Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElevation SurveyArcGIS Field Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.1 (58 ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.3% of reviews — better11.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—58 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size75 MB161 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBoothESRI

Customer experience

Elevation Survey

Written reviews32 reviews
Positive31.3%
Neutral9.4%
Negative59.4%

ArcGIS Field Maps

All ratings45 ratings
Positive24.4%
Neutral8.9%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive11.4%
Neutral19.3%
Negative69.3%

Bugs and requests

Elevation Survey

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ArcGIS Field Maps

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • App crashes on startup and during use
  • Layers fail to load intermittently
  • Offline map downloads fail or hang indefinitely
  • Authentication errors and keyboard not appearing on login
  • Maps load only 30% of the time
Show 15 more
  • Search functionality broken
  • Markup files lost after updates
  • Multiple markup layers no longer supported
  • Touch/tap detection inaccurate requiring multiple attempts
  • Photo EXIF direction data captured at wrong time
  • Location tracking bounces around map
  • App freezes when rotating screen
  • Syncing issues with offline edits
  • Feature class save errors
  • Arcade expression errors in feature classes
  • Raster layer display issues
  • Text rendering problems
  • Battery drain up to 10% per minute
  • Required token errors appearing randomly
  • Cooldown period between POI data entry updates

Requested features

13 requests
  • Stylus support for drawing features
  • Landscape mode for iPhone devices
  • Apple Watch integration and capabilities
  • Export functionality (GPX, KMZ formats)
  • Improved offline area size and quality selection
Show 8 more
  • Better cone of vision visibility
  • Attribute table visibility in field
  • CarPlay compatibility
  • Share individual features, not just map center
  • Notification when position collection completes
  • Permanent UI customization options
  • More markup colors and customization
  • Improved search functionality

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Elevation Survey

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$59.991 Year
None

ArcGIS Field Maps

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Elevation Survey free?
Elevation Survey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ArcGIS Field Maps free?
ArcGIS Field Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Elevation Survey or ArcGIS Field Maps have ads?
Neither Elevation Survey nor ArcGIS Field Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elevation Survey or ArcGIS Field Maps?
Elevation Survey ships an update every 3 months, and ArcGIS Field Maps monthly. Most recently, Elevation Survey was updated on October 30, 2026 and ArcGIS Field Maps on October 31, 2026.

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