# Topo GPS vs GPS OS Grid Reference

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.

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.

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.

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 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Topo GPS | GPS OS Grid Reference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (463 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-gps-topographic-maps/id578960575/reviews)** | [4.4 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-os-grid-reference/id993436655/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **463** | 17 |
| Positive reviews | 69.7% of reviews | **89.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 107 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [rdzl](https://appshunter.io/developer/578960578) | [Tomstrails.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/425642318) |

## What reviewers say

### Topo GPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topo-gps-topographic-maps/id578960575)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| France topographic 1 year | $18.49 | per year |
| 64 km² of France | $0.99 | one-time |
| 64 km² of Great Britain | $0.99 | one-time |
| United States - Aerial imagery | $0.99 | one-time |
| 256 km² of Great Britain | $2.99 | one-time |
| Mountainbike routes layer | $2.99 | one-time |
| Hiking node network | $2.99 | one-time |
| Long distance bicycle routes | $2.99 | one-time |
| United States topographic map | $2.99 | one-time |
| Topographic map Netherlands | $3.99 | one-time |
| Topographic map of Spain | $3.99 | one-time |
| Topographic map New Zealand | $3.99 | one-time |
| Topographic map of Norway | $3.99 | one-time |
| Topographic map of Sweden | $3.99 | one-time |
| Topographic map of Germany | $3.99 | one-time |
| Topographic map of Denmark | $3.99 | one-time |
| OpenStreetMap world coverage | $4.99 | one-time |
| Switzerland 1:10.000 | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- Purchased maps disappearing after updates
- Inability to restore previous purchases on new devices
- Crashes and freezes when using the app

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-os-grid-reference/id993436655)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Features | $5.99 | per year |
| Feature Pack - Compass & sharing features. | Free | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 26, 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.*