# 4WD Maps vs Detector Maps

The clearest difference is price: Detector Maps at Free against 4WD Maps's $64.99. Detector Maps also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.3) and review sentiment (73% vs 40%). 4WD Maps's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (11.4 vs 15.1). On in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Detector Maps is free to download; 4WD Maps costs $64.99 up front. 4WD Maps sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Detector Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Detector Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Detector Maps has 267 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of 4WD Maps's written reviews are positive against 73% of Detector Maps's.

4WD Maps ships an update every 8 months, Detector Maps every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 4WD Maps | Detector Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $64.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/4wd-maps-offline-topo-maps/id465639977/reviews) | **[4.7 (267 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detector-maps/id6741421159/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **267** |
| Positive reviews | 39.8% of reviews | **73.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#62** |
| Size | 1.7 GB | 115 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.4** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hema Maps Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/420014626) | [GOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788016705) |

## What reviewers say

### 4WD Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/4wd-maps-offline-topo-maps/id465639977)

Navigate off-road with detailed topographic maps and real-time GPS tracking. Plan routes, record trips, and share your adventures. Access a comprehensive library of Australian 4WD maps without recurring subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Offline topographic maps, Real-time GPS tracking, Route planning, Trip recording, Waypoint dropping, Australia-wide map coverage

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Import 3rd Party Maps | $18.99 | one-time |
| Victoria Topo Maps | $64.99 | one-time |
| Topo SA | $64.99 | one-time |
| NSW Topo maps (Ed3) | $64.99 | one-time |
| QLD Topo Ed2 | $64.99 | one-time |
| Tasmania Topo Maps Ed2 | $64.99 | one-time |


### Detector Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detector-maps/id6741421159)

**Currently charting:** #62 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides advanced geological data and GPS tools for gold prospecting in Australia, the US, and New Zealand. It offers offline map access, breadcrumb tracking, and waypoint marking to help users explore efficiently and locate potential gold-bearing areas.

**Highlights:** Advanced geological and gold-focused data, Offline map and data layer downloads, Breadcrumb trail tracking (background GPS), Waypoint marking with field notes, Real-time GPS navigation, Historic gold mines and workings layers

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Explorer Plan | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $11.99 | per month |
| Yearly Explorer Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Good maps
- 👍 Extremely handy
- 👍 Helpful information
- 👍 Excellent app
- 👍 Fantastic app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Missing areas
- 🐛 Discrepancies in data
- 🐛 LiDAR not working
- 🔒 Subscription issues

**Reported bugs**

- Issues with subscription and login
- LiDAR not working in certain areas

**Requested features**

- Expand coverage to more areas
- Improve data accuracy and consistency


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 4WD Maps free?

4WD Maps costs $64.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Detector Maps free?

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

### Which has better reviews, 4WD Maps or Detector Maps?

Detector Maps is rated higher. 4WD Maps averages 2.3 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Detector Maps averages 4.7 from 267 ratings.

### Do 4WD Maps or Detector Maps have ads?

Detector Maps shows ads; 4WD Maps does not.

### Which is updated more often, 4WD Maps or Detector Maps?

4WD Maps ships an update every 8 months, and Detector Maps every 6 days. Most recently, 4WD Maps was updated on November 1, 2026 and Detector Maps on November 4, 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.*