Comparison

Earthmate vs NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Geotag photos
  • Record tracks
  • Save waypoints
  • Draw polygons
  • Offline functionality
  • Data synchronization
  • Report generation
Features
Read full description

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

Earthmate4 screens
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Earthmate versus NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEarthmateNRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (272 ratings)4.9 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews21.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings272 — better7
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB44 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperGarminNatural Resource Data Solutions Inc.

Customer experience

Earthmate

All ratings272 ratings
Positive33.1%
Neutral15.1%
Negative51.8%
Written reviews153 reviews
Positive21.6%
Neutral19.0%
Negative59.5%

NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

None

Earthmate

No in-app purchases

None

NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Earthmate free?
Earthmate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) free?
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Earthmate or NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)?
NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) is rated higher. Earthmate averages 2.7 out of 5 from 272 ratings, while NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) averages 4.9 from 7 ratings.
Do Earthmate or NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) have ads?
Neither Earthmate nor NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Earthmate or NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina)?
Earthmate ships an update monthly, and NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) every 2 months. Most recently, Earthmate was updated on October 23, 2026 and NRDS Mobile Mapping ('Āina) on October 24, 2026.

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