Mapplet vs GIS Lite
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mapplet
Display your custom location-based data, GIS, or CAD information on industry-standard maps. This affordable and fast solution allows you to query, analyze, and visualize your data with various map layers and tools.
- Display custom POI, parcels, and GIS/CAD data
- Integrates with Bing Maps, OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, MapBox, ESRI ArcGIS
- Access, query, and analyze your own data
- Display documents linked to data
- Auto-identify nearby objects using GPS
- Measure distances and areas
- Search for places and addresses
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Do you have your own location based data or aerials and need to display it on an industry standard base map? Are you looking for an affordable and blazingly fast solution? If so, Mapplet is your answer. Mapplet provides this functionality at a fraction of the cost of other enterprise based solutions. Mapplet can be deployed to the cloud in order to provide a cost effective scalable and robust solution. You can display your own POI, parcels, utility network, GIS or CAD data on Bing Maps, OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, MapBox, and ESRI ArcGIS Maps. IMPORTANT: This app is pre-configured with demo data in order to show some of its capabilities. In order to add and display your own data, you will need to create a compatible map package (SMP) and host it on a web server or the cloud. Then you will be able to use the "Add Server..." functionality to display your data. Please contact Spatial Wave if you like to set up your own server. NOTE: if applicable, all base maps except Bing maps require separate licenses from their corresponding vendors. Features: -Access, query and analyze your own data -Display extended location based information -Display documents linked to your data -Auto identify nearby objects using GPS -Display your data on top of industry standard base maps -Identify all objects within a map area -Find and locate objects using custom predefined queries -Easily navigate, pan, zoom and change the map view -Measure distances and areas -Search for places and addresses -Display your phone contact list and bookmarks on your map -Superimpose real-time traffic on top of your data -See your own data on birds eye map -See location of your data using Street View -Much more...
GIS Lite
This app allows users to view and collect spatial data on their mobile devices. It supports various file formats, enables field data collection with photo attachments, and offers note-taking capabilities directly on maps. Offline access and extensive projection support make it ideal for field work.
- Load and view DXF, KML, Shapefiles, GeoTiff
- Collect field data with photo attachments
- Freehand/pencil notes over maps
- Export georeferenced TIFFs
- Offline data access
- Support for over 3000 projections
- Apple Pencil support for object selection
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GIS Lite. Use your iPad and iPhone to open DXF, KML, Shapefiles, GeoTiff, WorldFiles and more. Collect data on the field, attach photos and share pdf item reports. Take freehand / pencil notes over maps and export georeferenced tiff. Features that support property view available. New updates will gradually add features that will transform your device to a complete GIS station. GIS Lite is a professional mobile GIS solution that enables users to load and view heir own data over a background of map service imagery. Open of various vector data formats is supported. Below a list of current support types. ** For formats that use support files (eg dbf for shapefiles), files must be in the dedicated iCloud/GIS_Lite folder, so that access is provided to the application. Raster Files * #GeoTiff GIS Lite can open and render your GeoTiff files directly on the map. #WoldFiles** Open PNG, JPG or TIFF file using the corresponding world file (pgw,jpw,tfw). Just specify the projection used. Vector Files #DXF files .dxf Select your file to open from local or iCloud storage. You will need to select data projection. Layers and styles will be loaded. #KML / KMZ files .kml / .kmz #ESRI Shapefiles .shp Select .zip file that contains .shp, .dbf, .prj files Or Select your .shp file to open from local or iCloud storage. If you want a full load (.dbf attributes and .prj file), the files must be copied in iCloud application folder (GIS_Lite). If not, you can still view your data. In that case, only geometry will be loaded and you will have to define projection. Rendering of geometry primitives is currently available (points / lines / polygons) Parsing engine is continuously updated so stay updated for more features. Create datasets by collecting data on the field. Capture on field photos and attach to polygon / line / point record. Version 1.6 introduces Apple Pencil usage for enhanced object selection. Your spatial data is stored on the iPhone, so there’s no need for an Internet connection to see your data – great for field work. We also support over 3000 projections, so no need for re-projection. Change Basemap among apple map / satellite / hybrid and more. This application is optimised to provide • High parse and render speed • Zoom to extend • Zoom to selection • Select objects on map • Display attributes • Highlight selection items • Extensive projection list • GPS position • Export and share selected objects Some basic GIS background is assumed to be able to use the application (projections, layers, etc) *Images loaded are currently restricted to 2 MegaPixel size for performance reasons.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mapplet at 86% against GIS Lite's 50%. Mapplet also leads on iOS requirement (9.3 vs 13.0). GIS Lite's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 5 months). 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.
Mapplet ships an update every 5 months, GIS Lite every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mapplet | GIS Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Spatial Wave Inc. | Ioannis Sofos |
Customer experience
Mapplet
GIS Lite
In-app purchases
Mapplet
No in-app purchases
GIS Lite
No in-app purchases









