Earthmate vs OpenBirding
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.
OpenBirding
Discover birding locations with this app, featuring offline maps and eBird life list integration. Save favorite spots and custom locations for easy access, all within a clean design tailored for birdwatchers.
- OpenStreetMap base map
- Offline hotspot packs
- eBird life list import
- Save favorite hotspots
- Save custom locations
- Intuitive design for birders
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Find your next birding destination with OpenBirding, a simple and easy way to explore hotspots anywhere you go. Whether traveling or birding locally, everything you need is right in your pocket. FEATURES - OpenStreetMap base map with excellent trail and outdoor coverage - Download hotspot packs for offline use (map tiles may still require internet unless previously cached) - Import your eBird life list to view target species at any hotspot (works entirely offline) - Save your favorite hotspots and add notes - Save custom locations - Filter by hotspots by target species richness - Clean, intuitive design built specifically for birders - Hotspot data provided by eBird.org
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: OpenBirding at 100% against Earthmate's 22%. OpenBirding also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.7) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Earthmate's advantage is ratings volume (271 vs 4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
OpenBirding holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Earthmate has 271 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Earthmate's written reviews are positive against 100% of OpenBirding's.
Earthmate ships an update monthly, OpenBirding weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and June 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Earthmate | OpenBirding |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (271 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 21.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 271 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 91 MB | 89 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin | Adam Jackson |
Customer experience
Earthmate
OpenBirding
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
OpenBirding
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Earthmate
No in-app purchases
OpenBirding
No in-app purchases









