Comparison

Topo GPS vs Topo Reader

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Detailed topographic maps
  • Offline map access
  • Route recording and planning
  • Waypoint management
  • Support for multiple coordinate systems
  • GPX and KML file import/export
Features
Read full description

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

About

Topo Reader

Access and use detailed USGS topographical maps offline, even historical versions. Import your own geospatial PDF maps for navigation, route planning, and distance measurement. Ideal for outdoor adventures and geographical exploration.

Highlights
  • Download USGS topographical maps offline
  • Import geospatial PDF maps
  • Offline GPS usage on downloaded maps
  • Dual mode ruler for distance measurement
  • Route creation and GPS track recording
  • Augmented Reality waypoints
Features
Read full description

Download all available USGS topographic maps and import Geospatial PDF maps for off-line use at full undistorted resolution. Topo Reader is designed for road trips, camping, hiking, exploration and geographical history. Map images are accurately center aligned regardless of datum and placed on top of Apple's map kit for easy referencing and intuitive touch navigation. This software utilizes the latest capabilities of IOS with a fast start up, map rotating, unbeatable full detail resolution. Map downloads dispatch in the background so you can continue using the app. Topo Reader can install for use 422,664 U.S. Geological Survey current and historical topographical maps describing the topography of every region and island territories of the United States of America. Historical versions date as far back as year 1879. Install a map quad by pressing and holding a point on the reference map and discover the maps available at that location and the unique names given to every quad by the cartographers. Import geospatial PDF maps from the web, AirDrop, Finder, iTunes and email. Even at trailheads there are QRCode for maps that copy and install onto this app! Local and national park services offer PDF maps from their web sites. Even aeronautical sectional maps with embedded geospatial metadata that you can download in installed into Topo Reader. Easy see all your installed maps by zooming out and they all become a colorful violet and partially transparent so you can spot your map. Installed maps are managed in a table format which can be sorted by name, distance, and scale. Multiple versions of the same map can be stacked on top of one another and made visible or hidden using two finger swipes. Planning a hike somewhere and want to know the distance of your jaunt. Download the map and use the dual mode ruler to measure the path distance. Select the create Route option and draw and record your planned route. Purchase a subscription for unlimited map downloading. A subscription stops ads and doesn't auto-renew. The first few map download are complementary.‡ Features: • No need for cellular service to use • Use the GPS on downloaded topo maps while offline* • Dual mode ruler with orthographic line and path measuring • Waypoints with Augmented Reality finder • Routes path creation • Tracks/bread-crumb GPS location recording* • Full app usability while maps download in the background • Displays footprint grid and quad names • Aligns map datums to WGS84 (GPS) coordinates • Dynamic map stitching • Cropping of map margins for one big map grid • Automatic USGS topographic map download for your current location • Uses GPS location service to identify your location on a topo map* • Miles, Feet, Kilometers, Meters, Nautical Miles units • MGRS, UTM, and geodetic latitude and longitude coordinates • Import geospatial PDF maps downloaded from the USGS and other sources in zip or regular file formats • Enter coordinates in decimal, minutes and second formats • Map rotation and orients map to follow your heading • Imports GPX file formats waypoints • Email, AirDrop and SMS text waypoints, tracks and routes as GPX files (one subscription purchase required to permanently enable). Not currently supported: Geo TIFF; OCG layer selection used in current USTopo USGS maps. Not all geospatial metadata formats and datums are supported for imported PDF maps. Limited KML features supported. * Not preloaded with maps. WiFi recommended. Downloading queue does cap at around 36 maps. ** Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Location feature may not function on iPod and wifi-only iPad devices without GPS hardware. ‡ After a subscription period expires, advertisement may resume from usage of the import features.

Screenshots

Topo GPS4 screens
Topo Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Topo GPS at free with in-app purchases against Topo Reader's subscription. Topo GPS also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (70% vs 50%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Topo GPS sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $18.49 per year and Topo Reader sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Topo GPS against 4.6 for Topo Reader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 463 and 177 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Topo GPS's written reviews are positive against 50% of Topo Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Topo GPS ships an update every 3 weeks, Topo Reader every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Topo GPS versus Topo Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTopo GPSTopo Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (463 ratings)4.6 (177 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings463 — better177
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB29 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperrdzlDelcartes LLC

Customer experience

Topo GPS

All ratings463 ratings
Positive89.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews402 reviews
Positive69.7%
Neutral7.5%
Negative22.9%

Topo Reader

All ratings177 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral14.3%
Negative35.7%

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

Topo Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

18 purchases

Topo GPS

Subscriptions1
  • France topographic 1 year7 Days trial$18.491 Year
One-time17
  • 64 km² of France$0.99
  • 64 km² of Great Britain$0.99
  • United States - Aerial imagery$0.99
Show 14 more
  • 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
3 purchases

Topo Reader

One-time3
  • 90 Day$2.99
  • 1 Year$5.99
  • Lifetime$23.99

Questions

Is Topo GPS free?
Topo GPS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Topo Reader free?
Topo Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Topo GPS or Topo Reader?
Topo Reader is rated higher. Topo GPS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 463 ratings, while Topo Reader averages 4.6 from 177 ratings.
Do Topo GPS or Topo Reader have ads?
Neither Topo GPS nor Topo Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Topo GPS or Topo Reader?
Topo GPS ships an update every 3 weeks, and Topo Reader every 3 months. Most recently, Topo GPS was updated on October 18, 2026 and Topo Reader on October 16, 2026.

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