Comparison

Topo GPS vs GPS OS Grid Reference

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

GPS OS Grid Reference

This app accurately pinpoints your location on Ordnance Survey maps for Great Britain and Ireland, even without a phone signal. It offers precise grid references, waypoint creation, and navigation features. The display is designed for clarity in all lighting conditions, and it optimizes battery usage.

Highlights
  • Offline map location
  • Accurate grid references
  • Waypoint creation and management
  • High-contrast display
  • Battery optimization
  • Share waypoints
Features
Read full description

GPS OS provides a fast and accurate way to locate your position on an Ordnance Survey map, both in Great Britain and Ireland. • No phone signal required - works in the most remote locations. • OSTN15 transform data for high conversion accuracy (better than 1m). • 6, 8 and 10 figure grid references. • A large, clear, high contrast display ensures you can easily read your position in any light conditions. • Optimises the frequency of position updates depending on battery charge and speed of travel to make sure you can always make calls at the end of the day. • Create waypoints from a map, your current location or manually enter Ordnance Survey coordinates. • Explore waypoints and get directions in Apple Maps. • Share waypoints with other apps or users. • No adverts. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Includes OSTN15 transform data licensed with permission. Copyright and database rights Ordnance Survey Limited 2016, ©Crown copyright and database rights Land and Property Services 2016 and/or ©Ordnance Survey Ireland, 2016. All rights reserved.

Screenshots

Topo GPS4 screens
GPS OS Grid Reference4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Topo GPS at every 3 weeks against GPS OS Grid Reference's every 3 months. Topo GPS also leads on ratings volume (463 vs 17) and device support (5 vs 2). GPS OS Grid Reference's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 70%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 GPS OS Grid Reference sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per year. 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 4.4 for GPS OS Grid Reference. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo GPS has 463 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Topo GPS's written reviews are positive against 90% of GPS OS Grid Reference's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Topo GPS ships an update every 3 weeks, GPS OS Grid Reference every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Topo GPS versus GPS OS Grid Reference: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTopo GPSGPS OS Grid Reference
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (463 ratings) — better4.4 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews69.7% of reviews89.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings463 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperrdzlTomstrails.com

Customer experience

Topo GPS

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

GPS OS Grid Reference

All ratings17 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive89.9%
Neutral1.0%
Negative9.1%

User reviews

Topo GPS

From 463 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Excellent multi-country map system
  • 👍 Best routes for outdoorsy travelers
  • 👍 Brilliant app for navigation and route planning
  • 👍 Excellent for off-road and adventure riding
  • 👍 Fantastic for planning and sharing hiking routes

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Offline download issues with TLS errors
  • 🐛 Incorrect location search results
  • 💰 Paid maps disappear after purchase
  • 💰 Expensive for full map coverage
  • 🤔 Unintuitive user interface and route planning

GPS OS Grid Reference

From 17 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 🎯 Accurate grid references
  • 🚀 Fast and quick updates
  • 💡 Works without phone signal
  • 🗺️ Useful for navigation and backup

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Blurry satellite maps
  • 🧭 Compass not accurate
  • 📉 Accuracy dropped recently
  • 🗺️ No map data included
  • 🚫 Cannot search locations

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

GPS OS Grid Reference

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Waypoint finder satellite view is blurry
  • Compass is not accurate
  • Accuracy has dropped recently
  • Location services permanently dimmed off (iOS)
  • App does not work for users not in England

Requested features

10 requests
  • Add map data and search functionality
  • Improve satellite map clarity
  • Add ability to view location on a map
  • Enable navigation from point to point
  • Add Apple Watch equivalent app
Show 5 more
  • Display latitude and longitude
  • Add a dynamic display for accuracy improvement
  • Implement time averaging for accuracy
  • Allow copying grid reference to clipboard
  • Add facility to store and recall reference information

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
2 purchases

GPS OS Grid Reference

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Features7 Days trial$5.991 Year
One-time1
  • Feature Pack - Compass & sharing features.Free

Questions

Is Topo GPS free?
Topo GPS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GPS OS Grid Reference free?
GPS OS Grid Reference is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Topo GPS or GPS OS Grid Reference?
Topo GPS is rated higher. Topo GPS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 463 ratings, while GPS OS Grid Reference averages 4.4 from 17 ratings.
Do Topo GPS or GPS OS Grid Reference have ads?
Neither Topo GPS nor GPS OS Grid Reference shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Topo GPS or GPS OS Grid Reference?
Topo GPS ships an update every 3 weeks, and GPS OS Grid Reference every 3 months. Most recently, Topo GPS was updated on September 25, 2026 and GPS OS Grid Reference on September 22, 2026.

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