Comparison

Avalanche Lab vs AspectAvy

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

Head to head
About

Avalanche Lab

Record snow and avalanche data in the field using your iPhone. Measure slope angles, record crown profiles, and map slides with GPS. Share your findings instantly with colleagues and the wider community.

Highlights
  • Snow pit diagram creation
  • GPS slide mapping
  • Slope angle measurement
  • Crown profile recording
  • Offline field use
  • Data export (PDF, KML, CAAML)
  • Import CAAML profiles
Features
Read full description

Imagine... You see an avalanche, you ski over to the crown and pull out your iPhone. You snap a photo, measure the slope angle and aspect, then record a crown profile, all on your phone. As you ski down the path, you use your phone as GPS to map the slide. When you get to the toe of the slide you send a diagram of the crown and a map of the slide to your colleagues back at the office, then you post it to the Avalanche Lab network to alert everyone else. With Avalanche Lab you can do all that and more. Avalanche Lab was developed out of a desire to easily enter snow and avalanche data in the field, and then electronically share that data. Avalanche Lab uses all those fancy features on your iPhone to make it as easy as possible. It has all the features an avalanche professional would want, and is simple enough to be used by backcountry skiers and even snowboarders. Avalanche Lab includes clinometer, GPS, and compass support so you can accurately measure and mark your field sites. Avalanche Lab is designed to be used in the field, there is no need for a wifi or cell signal. Most inputs are multiple choice to eliminate the need for typing, and the buttons are big for use with cold fingers. Avalanche Lab produces professional quality snow pit diagrams in the standard format, and in a compact format for display on mobile devices, and saves diagrams as an image or PDF file. Other export formats include KML maps of avalanches, CAAML xml, and SnowPilot format. Avalanche Lab can also import CAAML v5 snow profiles so you can load data from other software for viewing in the field. https://avalanchelab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Terms-of-Use.pdf

About

AspectAvy

This app provides real-time avalanche safety information and tools for backcountry enthusiasts. It features dynamic slope angle shading, live forecasts, and LiDAR mapping to help users assess risk and make informed decisions in avalanche terrain.

Highlights
  • Dynamic slope angle shading
  • Live avalanche and weather forecasts
  • LiDAR mapping
  • Safety checklists
  • Built-in slope angle meter
  • Route tracking and sharing
Read full description

At AspectAvy, our mission is to save lives from avalanches. Which is why we developed a whole new class of avalanche safety gear: preventive avalanche safety gear. AspectAvy Features: DYNAMIC SLOPE ANGLE SHADING This feature separates AspectAvy and makes us an avalanche safety tool. Our maps update slope angle shading in real-time based on the conditions you’re experiencing on the mountain. Even in airplane mode, we visualize the risk factor, helping to relieve decision fatigue, and giving you an objective picture of the risk level around your immediate location. LIVE AVALANCHE AND WEATHER FORECASTS We incorporate up-to-the-minute live avalanche and weather forecasts right into the app. The forecasts and maps are stored locally on your phone, meaning you have access to the most recent downladed information. Closing the gap between planning and touring, and ensuring you have the most updated forecast information available. INDUSTRY-LEADING LiDAR MAPPING Our rock-solid, fast-loading LiDAR maps are stored locally on your phone, meaning you’re not straining for a signal when decisions matter most. Accurate to 3-meter resolution, you’ll see the terrain and risk factor around your precise location. Giving you control of the slopes you ski, and putting peace of mind in your pocket. TRAILHEAD AND DROP-IN SAFETY CHECKS Our comprehensive and interactive safety checklists help ensure your preparedness, grounding your group in proper avalanche safety best practices. BUILT-IN SLOPE ANGLE METER Our built-in slope angle meter helps you verify slope angle so you know where to ski based on real-time risk levels. It also calculates the length of avalanche run-out zones, keeping you safe at the top of the slope, and the bottom when you’re traveling through avalanche terrain. ROUTE TRACKING AND SHARING Industry standard GPS route tracking shows exactly where your tour traveled, and makes it easy to share the route with everyone in your group. You can even see when and where you were close to avalanche danger, and where you avoided higher-risk terrain. DATA-DRIVEN SAFETY Our algorithm was built on decades of avalanche safety data. By harnessing this data, AspectAvy provides you with clear and precise route recommendations based on avalanche statistics. We pinpoint low-risk slopes – with risk levels akin to driving a car – empowering you to make informed choices with confidence, ensuring an exciting, yet safe backcountry skiing experience. Not available in Alaska or New Hampshire Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Avalanche Lab4 screens
AspectAvy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Avalanche Lab at 91% against AspectAvy's 50%. Avalanche Lab also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.8) and device support (3 vs 1). AspectAvy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ratings volume, 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. Avalanche Lab sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. AspectAvy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Avalanche Lab holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 37 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Avalanche Lab's written reviews are positive against 50% of AspectAvy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Avalanche Lab versus AspectAvy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAvalanche LabAspectAvy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (15 ratings) — better3.8 (37 ratings)
Positive reviews90.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1537 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB83 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperRENAISSANCE RECREATION LLCAspect Avy Inc

Customer experience

Avalanche Lab

All ratings15 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%

AspectAvy

All ratings37 ratings
Positive67.6%
Neutral2.7%
Negative29.7%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Avalanche Lab

Subscriptions2
  • Observation PRO Subscription$9.991 Year
  • Avalanche Lab PRO$9.991 Year
None

AspectAvy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Avalanche Lab free?
Avalanche Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AspectAvy free?
AspectAvy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Avalanche Lab or AspectAvy?
Avalanche Lab is rated higher. Avalanche Lab averages 4.3 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while AspectAvy averages 3.8 from 37 ratings.
Do Avalanche Lab or AspectAvy have ads?
Neither Avalanche Lab nor AspectAvy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Avalanche Lab or AspectAvy?
Avalanche Lab ships an update every 2 months, and AspectAvy every 2 months. Most recently, Avalanche Lab was updated on September 26, 2026 and AspectAvy on September 29, 2026.

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