Topo GPS vs WristRoute Lite
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Topo GPS
Transform your device into a powerful GPS with detailed topographic maps for offline use. Plan, record, and follow routes for various outdoor activities. Access detailed maps and route management features without needing an expensive dedicated device.
- Detailed topographic maps
- Offline map access
- Route recording and planning
- Waypoint management
- Support for multiple coordinate systems
- GPX and KML file import/export
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Makes from your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and/or Macbook a complete GPS device with detailed topographic maps. Viewed maps will be stored on your device so that Topo GPS can also be used offline. Why should you buy an expensive GPS device if you can install Topo GPS? Topo GPS contains all functions of a regular GPS device for less money, has a much more detailed map, and is more convenient to operate. The accuracy of the position determination is in favorable conditions about 5 m. Ideal for walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, horse-riding, geocaching, scouting, trail running and other outdoor activities. Also suited for outdoor professionals. - Map * To use Topo GPS you need to buy a map. * Official topographic maps of many countries, including Great Britain (OS Explorer), New Zealand and Australia are available as in-app purchase. * Topographic maps are very detailed maps, include height contours and are very suited for outdoor activities. * All maps of a certain region can be made offline accessible using the map download screen. * Easy switching between maps. - Routes * Recording routes, with pause and restart possibility. * Planning routes via route points. * Generating routes * Editing routes * Synchronization with your other devices via iCloud. * Searching routes with filters. * Routes can be organized into folders. - Waypoints * Easy adding by pressing long on map. * Adding waypoints through address or coordinates. * Sharing waypoints. * Editing waypoints. - Layers Layers contain information that can be added to and removed from the map. * Long distance bicycle routes * Mountainbike routes - Coordinates * Easy entering coordinates * Scanning coordinates * Supported coordinate systems: WGS84 decimal, WGS84 degree minutes (seconds), UTM, MGRS, and other country specific coordinate systems. * Coordinates grid layers - Intuitive interface * Clear menu with most important functions. * Different dashboard panels with distance, time, speed, altitude and coordinates. * Clear manual at www.topo-gps.com - Supported file formats: * gpx, kml/kmz, geojson (all also zip compressed), WFS, csv If you are recording a route, the GPS will run in the background. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Rdzl, the company behind Topo GPS, does not obtain in any way the position of the user of Topo GPS. Rdzl does also not obtain the routes recorded by the user, and save the routes planned by the user, unless the route is shared with Topo GPS. We sell our product, not our user data. Privacy policy: https://www.topo-gps.com/privacy-policy Terms of use: https://www.topo-gps.com/terms-of-use
WristRoute Lite
This app provides standalone GPS navigation for outdoor activities on your Apple Watch. It supports offline use with cached topographic and OpenStreetMap maps, allowing you to follow routes and track progress without an internet connection. Battery-saving options are included for extended use.
- Standalone Apple Watch GPS
- Offline GPX file support
- Topographic and OpenStreetMap maps
- Cached maps for offline use
- Battery saving options
- Elevation profile tracking
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WristRoute Lite is a standalone Apple Watch GPS application for hiking, biking, and other offline activities. Neither the iPhone or Internet is needed for field operation. WristRoute Lite can read GPX files containing waypoints, routes, and tracks. Download a GPX file for an upcoming hike, load it on your watch, and now you can follow the route line on a map, or track your uphill progress against an elevation profile. WristRoute uses the latest generation of topographic maps from the USGS: US Topo. Outside the continental United States an OpenStreetMap derived map is used. Maps are cached for offline use. WristRoute is designed for all day use with battery saving options. GPS Battery Saver turns on the GPS only as needed. Map display can also be turned off, displaying just GPX route lines and waypoints. This free LIte version does not include ability to export watch created waypoints and tracks or to bulk cache maps. Please upgrade to full version (not "Lite") to use those features.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Topo GPS at 4.5 against WristRoute Lite's 3.7. Topo GPS also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 40%) and ratings volume (463 vs 6). WristRoute Lite's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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. Topo GPS sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $18.49 per year and WristRoute Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Topo GPS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo GPS has 463 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Topo GPS's written reviews are positive against 40% of WristRoute Lite's.
Topo GPS ships an update every 3 weeks, WristRoute Lite every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Topo GPS | WristRoute Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (463 ratings) — better | 3.7 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 69.7% of reviews — better | 40.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 463 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 107 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | rdzl | Eastridge Technology |
Customer experience
Topo GPS
WristRoute Lite
Bugs and requests
Topo GPS
Reported bugs
3 issues- Purchased maps disappearing after updates
- Inability to restore previous purchases on new devices
- Crashes and freezes when using the app
Requested features
5 requests- Add elevation data to topo maps
- Improve route planning and navigation features
- Provide more detailed trail/path data
- Add CarPlay and Apple Watch support
- Improve map download and caching performance
WristRoute Lite
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Topo GPS
- France topographic 1 year7 Days trial$18.491 Year
- 64 km² of France$0.99
- 64 km² of Great Britain$0.99
- United States - Aerial imagery$0.99
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- 256 km² of Great Britain$2.99
- Mountainbike routes layer$2.99
- Hiking node network$2.99
- Long distance bicycle routes$2.99
- United States topographic map$2.99
- Topographic map Netherlands$3.99
- Topographic map of Spain$3.99
- Topographic map New Zealand$3.99
- Topographic map of Norway$3.99
- Topographic map of Sweden$3.99
- Topographic map of Germany$3.99
- Topographic map of Denmark$3.99
- OpenStreetMap world coverage$4.99
- Switzerland 1:10.000$6.99
WristRoute Lite
- WristRoute Lite Upgrade$9.99









