Earthmate vs NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Earthmate
Connect your satellite communicator to your mobile device for text messaging, navigation, and trip planning. Access offline maps, track your location, and share your adventures globally. Stay connected and safe on any outdoor expedition.
- Send/receive text messages
- Offline topographic maps
- Waypoint and route navigation
- Tracking and location sharing
- Trip logging and planning
- Cloud storage for trips
- Control inReach device features
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Pair your inReach® satellite communication device with the Earthmate® app to get all the features you need to send and receive text messages, navigate and stay connected during your outdoor adventures. It’s perfect for planning, tracking and sharing your trip anywhere around the globe. This Garmin application lets you access¹: • Unlimited topographic maps that you can cache on your device and store for offline use, including topographic maps and quad sheets • Aerial imagery • Hybrid maps • Waypoints and route navigation • Tracking and location sharing • High-detail GPS trip logging • Unlimited cloud storage of routes, waypoints and tracks • Online trip planning • Control and access all the features of your inReach device from the app: send 2-way custom or preset text and email messages, trigger an SOS from anywhere in the world, track your location and more By pairing your mobile device (via Bluetooth® technology) with inReach, the Earthmate app turns your mobile device into a true satellite communication, GPS navigation and safety tool. To access the 100% global Iridium® satellite network for live tracking and messaging – including SOS capabilities – from the Earthmate app, an inReach device with active satellite subscription is required. You can plan your adventures from your account on the Garmin Explore™ website, wirelessly sync them to your smartphone or tablet, and then save all your trip data and maps with unlimited cloud storage. With the use of the LiveTrack™ feature, loved ones can follow your location in real time² and see data such as distance, time and elevation. Learn more about inReach devices and technology at www.garmin.com/inreach. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Don't forget to stop tracking. ¹Access varies by model. ²When used with your compatible smartphone and the Earthmate® app or when used with your compatible inReach-enabled Garmin device.
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)
This mapping and data collection tool allows users to geotag photos, record tracks, save waypoints, and draw various shapes. It functions both online and offline, making it ideal for fieldwork in conservation, agriculture, surveying, and hiking.
- Geotag photos
- Record tracks
- Save waypoints
- Draw polygons
- Offline functionality
- Data synchronization
- Report generation
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Mapping and data collection has never been more easy, accurate, and efficient. Geotag photos, record tracks, save waypoints, trace lines, draw polygons, and so much more with the NRDS app. Utilizing your device’s GPS, this mapping and data collection tool works both on and offline. Working in conservation or agriculture? Doing some surveying or hiking? This dependable app is designed for you. ENHANCE YOUR NRDS CAPABILITIES With credentials you can sync data to the nrds.io web platform and access features including but not limited to: • Develop comprehensive reports • Track work hours • Share data between partners • Bulk data uploads and exports • Design downloadable surveys • Organize your GIS features • Manage users, teams, and contact lists • Browse your photo gallery • Build projections
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) at 4.9 against Earthmate's 2.7. NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) also leads on iOS requirement (13.4 vs 17.0). Earthmate's advantage is ratings volume (272 vs 7). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Earthmate has 272 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Earthmate ships an update monthly, NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Earthmate | NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (272 ratings) | 4.9 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 21.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 272 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 92 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin | Natural Resource Data Solutions Inc. |
Customer experience
Earthmate
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)
Bugs and requests
Earthmate
Reported bugs
5 issues- Invisible text fields
- Disappearing waypoints and tracks
- Inability to send preset messages from app
- Incorrect wind speed display
- Broken map downloads
Requested features
5 requests- Apple Watch integration
- Customizable preset messages
- Improved map detail and customization
- Seamless sync between app and device
- Frequent message check intervals
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Earthmate
No in-app purchases
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Earthmate free?
Is NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) free?
Which has better reviews, Earthmate or NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)?
Do Earthmate or NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) have ads?
Which is updated more often, Earthmate or NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)?
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