# Google Maps vs Scenic Map

The clearest difference is ads: Scenic Map at none against Google Maps's shown. Scenic Map also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (67% vs 44%). Google Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (7.4M vs 3). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Google Maps sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $0.89 per month and Scenic Map sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Google Maps against 4.7 for Scenic Map. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Maps has 7.4M ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of Google Maps's written reviews are positive against 67% of Scenic Map's.

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, Scenic Map every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Maps | Scenic Map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (7.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354/reviews) | [4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scenic-map/id629666111/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.4M** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 43.5% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 469 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [GrangerFX](https://appshunter.io/developer/363698835) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-maps/id585027354)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Navigation, #22 Top Free (US App Store)

Navigate your world with real-time traffic, turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, and public transport. Discover millions of businesses and places with photos and reviews. Plan trips with Street View, Immersive View, and offline maps.

**Highlights:** Real-time GPS navigation, Live traffic data, Public transport updates, Business and place discovery, Street View and Immersive View, Offline maps, User reviews and photos

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (22)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30 GB | $0.89 | per month |
| 30 GB | $0.89 | per month |
| 100 GB | $1.99 | per month |
| 100 GB | $1.99 | per month |
| 200 GB | $2.99 | per month |
| 200 GB | $2.99 | per month |
| Google AI Plus (400 GB) | $4.99 | per month |
| Google AI Plus (2 TB) | $9.99 | per month |
| Google AI Plus (2 TB) | $9.99 | per month |
| Google AI Pro (5 TB) | $19.99 | per month |
| 100 GB | $19.99 | per year |
| 100 GB | $19.99 | per year |
| 100 GB | $19.99 | per year |
| Google AI Pro (2 TB) | $19.99 | per month |
| 200 GB | $29.99 | per year |
| 200 GB | $29.99 | per year |
| 200 GB | $29.99 | per year |
| 10 TB | $49.99 | per month |
| 2 TB | $99.99 | per year |
| 20 TB | $99.99 | per month |
| 2 TB | $99.99 | per year |
| Google AI Ultra (30 TB) | $249.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate navigation
- 👍 Helpful for travel and exploration
- 💡 Useful for delivery drivers
- 👍 Reliable traffic information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable directions
- 🔄 Constant rerouting without user consent
- 🗺️ Inaccurate or outdated maps
- 🚧 Dangerous routing suggestions
- 🤔 Confusing interface changes

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to save/access favorite locations
- Frequent crashes or freezes
- Incorrect address/location detection
- Voice navigation issues

**Requested features**

- Option to avoid tolls or specify vehicle type
- Ability to manually edit/update maps
- Better integration with public transit
- Improved offline functionality
- More customization options for routes


### Scenic Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scenic-map/id629666111)

Explore the world with detailed 3D topographic maps, accessible even offline. Stream and cache global maps for use without cell service. Features include satellite overlays, customizable map styles, and GPS tracking for navigation and route replay.

**Highlights:** Global 3D topographic maps, Offline map caching, Satellite image overlays, Customizable map styles, GPS tracking and route replay, GPX track import/export

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Scenic Map Features | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Maps free?

Google Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Scenic Map free?

Scenic Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Maps or Scenic Map?

Google Maps and Scenic Map are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 7.4M and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do Google Maps or Scenic Map have ads?

Google Maps shows ads; Scenic Map does not.

### Which is updated more often, Google Maps or Scenic Map?

Google Maps ships an update every 6 days, and Scenic Map every 3 months. Most recently, Google Maps was updated on September 24, 2026 and Scenic Map on August 28, 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.*