# Earthmate vs OpenBirding

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.

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 29, 2026 and June 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Earthmate | OpenBirding |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (271 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openbirding/id6755897167/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **271** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 21.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 91 MB | 89 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) | [Adam Jackson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1857064726) |

## What reviewers say

### Earthmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Offline maps
- 📡 Satellite communication
- 💬 Messaging functionality
- 🗺️ Tracking and navigation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
- 🔍 Lacking detailed maps
- 🔑 Login/sync issues
- 🔧 Buggy and unstable
- 🗓️ Frequent app crashes

**Reported bugs**

- Invisible text fields
- Disappearing waypoints and tracks
- Inability to send preset messages from app
- Incorrect wind speed display
- Broken map downloads

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch integration
- Customizable preset messages
- Improved map detail and customization
- Seamless sync between app and device
- Frequent message check intervals


### OpenBirding

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openbirding/id6755897167)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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 29, 2026 and OpenBirding on June 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*