Comparison

Earthmate vs OpenBirding

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

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.

Highlights
  • OpenStreetMap base map
  • Offline hotspot packs
  • eBird life list import
  • Save favorite hotspots
  • Save custom locations
  • Intuitive design for birders
Features
Read full description

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

Earthmate4 screens
OpenBirding4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Earthmate ships an update monthly, OpenBirding weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and June 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Earthmate versus OpenBirding: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEarthmateOpenBirding
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (271 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews21.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings271 — better4
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB89 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperGarminAdam Jackson

Customer experience

Earthmate

All ratings271 ratings
Positive33.2%
Neutral15.1%
Negative51.7%
Written reviews151 reviews
Positive21.9%
Neutral18.5%
Negative59.6%

OpenBirding

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
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

OpenBirding

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Earthmate

No in-app purchases

None

OpenBirding

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Earthmate free?
Earthmate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is OpenBirding free?
OpenBirding is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Earthmate or OpenBirding?
OpenBirding is rated higher. Earthmate averages 2.7 out of 5 from 271 ratings, while OpenBirding averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Earthmate or OpenBirding have ads?
Neither Earthmate nor OpenBirding shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Earthmate or OpenBirding?
Earthmate ships an update monthly, and OpenBirding weekly. Most recently, Earthmate was updated on September 27, 2026 and OpenBirding on June 30, 2026.

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