# Simple TOPO vs Topo Maps US

The clearest difference is rating: Simple TOPO at 5.0 against Topo Maps US's 4.4. Simple TOPO also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 88%) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 15.0). Topo Maps US's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 51 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simple TOPO sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Topo Maps US asks for nothing beyond the download.

Simple TOPO holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo Maps US has 213 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Simple TOPO's written reviews are positive against 88% of Topo Maps US's.

Simple TOPO ships an update every 51 months, Topo Maps US every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simple TOPO | Topo Maps US |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-topo/id548525328/reviews)** | [4.4 (213 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-maps-us/id1033846196/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **213** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 87.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 51 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 41 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Red Sky Engineering, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/333176422) | [DC Cloud Apps, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/353416960) |

## What reviewers say

### Simple TOPO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-topo/id548525328)

This app provides offline outdoor navigation with detailed topographic maps and route planning. It allows users to track their location, share itineraries, and find friends, ensuring safety and ease of use in remote areas.

**Highlights:** High-resolution USGS 24k Topographic charts, Easy Waypoint and Route creation, Buddy-tracking feature, Itinerary sharing for safety, Offline chart viewing, Real-time track recording, Point of Interest database

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Simple Topo - 12 Month | $29.99 | per year |


### Topo Maps US

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-maps-us/id1033846196)

Access and download detailed topographic maps of the United States for offline use. Track your location, mark waypoints, and record your routes for outdoor activities. Navigate with direction arrows and measure distances on the map.

**Highlights:** Download US topographic maps, Offline map viewing, GPS location tracking, Add and import waypoints (flags), Import and share GPX/LOC files, Record and share trails, Elevation profile charts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and simple user interface
- 📱 Works completely offline with downloaded maps
- 💰 Free app with no subscriptions or ads
- 🗺️ High-quality USGS topographic maps
- 📍 Accurate GPS location tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 White/gray blocks appearing on offline maps
- 🔋 High battery drain during route recording
- ❌ Limited color options for flags (only red)
- ⚠️ Route recording stops unexpectedly
- 🔍 No search functionality for trails/landmarks

**Reported bugs**

- White and gray blocks appearing on downloaded offline maps
- Route recording stops unexpectedly mid-hike
- High battery drain during route tracking
- GPX file import issues in iOS 13+
- Map display issues near borders

**Requested features**

- Pause/resume tracking during hikes
- Search feature for trails and landmarks
- Apple Watch app support
- CarPlay integration
- Slope shading visualization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simple TOPO free?

Simple TOPO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Topo Maps US free?

Topo Maps US is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Simple TOPO or Topo Maps US?

Simple TOPO is rated higher. Simple TOPO averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Topo Maps US averages 4.4 from 213 ratings.

### Do Simple TOPO or Topo Maps US have ads?

Neither Simple TOPO nor Topo Maps US shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simple TOPO or Topo Maps US?

Simple TOPO ships an update every 51 months, and Topo Maps US every 2 months. Most recently, Simple TOPO was updated on September 18, 2026 and Topo Maps US on October 15, 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.*