# GCTools vs Measure Map

The clearest difference is rating: Measure Map at 4.7 against GCTools's 3.1. Measure Map also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 40%) and ratings volume (5.3K vs 13). GCTools's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (9.2 vs 16). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GCTools sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Measure Map sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Measure Map holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Measure Map has 5.3K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of GCTools's written reviews are positive against 79% of Measure Map's.

GCTools ships an update monthly, Measure Map every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GCTools | Measure Map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gctools/id438313105/reviews) | **[4.7 (5.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/measure-map/id1247360674/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **5.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | **78.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 41 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.2** | 16 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Achim Heynen](https://appshunter.io/developer/374870201) | [Xuan Luong Do](https://appshunter.io/developer/1239199559) |

## What reviewers say

### GCTools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gctools/id438313105)

This app provides a comprehensive suite of tools for geocaching enthusiasts. It offers coordinate manipulation, a wide range of cipher decoding and encoding options, interactive data tables, and various unit converters to assist with multi and mystery caches.

**Highlights:** Coordinate projection and distance calculation, Extensive cipher decoding and encoding, Interactive data tables, Multiple unit converters, Mapview integration with popular services, Coordinate saving and loading

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coordinate Storage | $0.99 | one-time |
| Circle Tools | $0.99 | one-time |
| Advanced Alphabets | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vigenere/One Time Pad Cipher | $0.99 | one-time |
| Coordinate Types | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1 Year Full Version | $1.99 | one-time |
| Full Version | $2.99 | one-time |


### Measure Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/measure-map/id1247360674)

Calculate distances and areas on a map by placing markers. Supports various units, file imports/exports, and coordinate systems. Save and share your measurements.

**Highlights:** Distance calculation between points, Area measurement, Multiple unit outputs (meters, miles, feet, etc.), Save and view measurement sessions, Import/export KML, KMZ, CSV files, Support for UTM, MGRS, VN-2000 coordinates, Quick map type changes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Version | $7.99 | per year |
| Remove Advertising | $5.99 | one-time |
| Export File | $5.99 | one-time |
| Pro Version | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate and easy to use
- 👍 Great user interface
- 👍 Easy to use and user friendly
- 👍 Nice, simple and free
- 👍 Works great for validating measurements

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Ads make app unusable
- 🐛 False information
- 🐛 Should be removed from the app store until reviewed
- 🐛 No export functionality even as a pro level subscriber
- 🐛 Seems to change to area mode without user involvement

**Reported bugs**

- Accidental touching of screen causes issues
- App switches to area mode unexpectedly
- Unable to close polygon for area measurement
- Screen rotation issue on iPad

**Requested features**

- Add ability to change/edit pin names
- Add option to switch to Apple Maps instead of Google
- Add support for Vietnamese coordinate system (VN2000)
- Improve instructions and UI for better discoverability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GCTools free?

GCTools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Measure Map free?

Measure Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, GCTools or Measure Map?

Measure Map is rated higher. GCTools averages 3.1 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Measure Map averages 4.7 from 5.3K ratings.

### Do GCTools or Measure Map have ads?

Measure Map shows ads; GCTools does not.

### Which is updated more often, GCTools or Measure Map?

GCTools ships an update monthly, and Measure Map every 2 weeks. Most recently, GCTools was updated on September 27, 2026 and Measure Map on September 28, 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.*