Comparison

Elevation Survey vs SW 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

SW Maps

This app allows users to collect, present, and share geographic information. It supports recording points, lines, polygons, and associated data like photos and audio. High-accuracy GPS surveys are possible with external receivers, and data can be shared in various standard formats.

Highlights
  • Collect points, lines, and polygons
  • Attach custom attributes (text, photo, audio, video)
  • High-accuracy GPS surveys with external receivers
  • Offline map support
  • Export data in multiple formats (Shapefile, GeoPackage, CSV)
  • Create and share project templates
Features
Read full description

SW Maps is a free GIS and mobile mapping app for collecting, presenting and sharing geographic information. Whether you are conducting a full scale GNSS survey with high precision instruments, need to collect large amount of location based data using nothing but your phone, or just need to view a few shapefiles with labels over a background map on the go, SW Maps has it all covered. Record points, lines, polygons and even photos and have them displayed over your choice of background map, and attach custom attribute data to any feature. Attribute types include text, numbers, an option from a predefined set of choices, photos, audio clips and videos. Conduct high accuracy GPS surveys using external RTK capable receivers over Bluetooth LE. Draw features on the map by adding markers, and measure distance and area. Reuse the layers and attributes of a previous project for another survey, or create templates and share them with other users. Share the collected data with other users as Geopackages, KMZ or shapefiles, or export them to your device storage. Also share and export recorded data as Spreadsheets or CSV files. All data is recorded and exported in the standard WGS84 Geographic coordinate system (EPSG:4326). Features -Online Base maps: Apple Maps or Open Street Map -Support for multiple mbtiles and KML overlays -Shapefile and Geopackage layers, with attribute categorized styling. View shapefiles in any coordinate system supported by the PROJ.4 library. -Add multiple online WMTS, TMS, XYZ or WMS layers and cache tiles for offline use. -Connect to external GPS receivers using Bluetooth for high accuracy surveying using RTK with built-in NTRIP client. Also record data from external receiver for post processing. -Define multiple number of feature layers, each with a set of custom attributes Feature Types: Point, Line, Polygon Attribute Types:Text, Numeric, Drop down Options, Photos, Audio, Video Save as Template for re-use or sharing -Record GPS tracks, with distance measurement -Label features based on attribute values. -Import feature layers from templates or existing projects. -Share or export collected data as KMZ (with embedded photographs) , shapefiles, GeoJSON, Geopackage (GPKG), XLS/ODS spreadsheets or csv files. -Share templates or projects with other users -Supports use of GTX geoid files. To use custom geoids, prepare a GTX file with offsets in meters from WGS84. This product is made in Nepal and is FREE (no Ads). If you find this useful, please let your friends know that you have used a product from Nepal. Spare sometime to visit this wonderful country and know the Nepali people.

Screenshots

Elevation Survey4 screens
SW Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SW Maps at none against Elevation Survey's 2. On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. SW Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elevation Survey ships an update every 3 months, SW Maps every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Elevation Survey versus SW Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElevation SurveySW Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.8 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.3% of reviews — better30.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—25 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size75 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBoothAviyaan Tech

Customer experience

Elevation Survey

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

SW Maps

All ratings25 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive30.0%
Neutral35.0%
Negative35.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Elevation Survey

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

SW Maps

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Elevation Survey free?
Elevation Survey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SW Maps free?
SW Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Elevation Survey or SW Maps have ads?
Neither Elevation Survey nor SW Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elevation Survey or SW Maps?
Elevation Survey ships an update every 3 months, and SW Maps every 2 months. Most recently, Elevation Survey was updated on November 6, 2026 and SW Maps on November 3, 2026.

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