Back vs Topo Maps+
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Back
This navigation tool uses your device's GPS to help you return to saved locations. Mark spots like parking or hotel locations and easily find your way back. Offers customizable display options and power-saving features.
- Save and return to marked locations
- Mark current location or enter coordinates
- Customizable user interface styles
- HUD for location information
- Power saving mode
- Unlimited preset destinations
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Using the GPS of your device, Back Track helps guide you back to any location you've marked. Any time you're somewhere you think you may need to return to, but you're not sure you'll be able to find your way back, simply save your position with Back Track by marking the location. Whether it's where you parked your car or the hotel you're staying at, you can be sure you'll be able to find the location again. When ready, select the saved location and start tracking. It's as easy as that! Features - Create and edit unlimited preset destinations. - Mark your current location or enter longitude and latitude coordinates manually. - Choose from a selection of user interface styles. - HUD for detailed information of your current and target locations. - The settings panel gives you full control over information displayed and measurement units used. - Includes a power saving mode to conserve battery life. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Back Track's accuracy is dependent on that of your device. For better results, keep your device away from magnets and electronics, and calibrate it if prompted to do so.
Topo Maps+
Plan and execute backcountry adventures with offline topographic maps and GPS navigation. Features include route building, waypoints, land boundaries, and on-trail tools. Integrates with Apple Watch and CarPlay for seamless outdoor exploration.
- Offline topographic maps
- Smart route building
- Waypoints and proximity alerts
- Land boundary overlays
- Track recording
- Apple Watch and CarPlay integration
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Designed and tested on real dirt, Topo Maps+ is packed with the maps & tools to plan and execute your backcountry adventure. ‣‣ MAPS FOR EVERY ACTIVITY ‣Setup your map based on your planned activity ‣‣ PLANNING TOOLS ‣ Compare and Download maps for use offline. ‣ Combine overlays to customize your map view ‣ Smart route-building tools ‣ Waypoints ‣ Print, email or share custom maps and routes ‣ Public, Private, and Hunting land boundaries ‣ Parcel Information ‣ Create teams and live-share members’ last known location ‣‣ ON-TRAIL TOOLS (Offline) ‣ View your current location ‣ All Maps and Overlays are downloadable ‣ Record your tracks - see where you’ve been ‣ Photo Waypoints - snap a pic and instantly shows on the map ‣ Progress on Trail - how much further on the trail ‣ Guide Me - to a waypoint ‣ Proximity Alerts - notify me when I’m close to a waypoint, trail, or region ‣ Line of Sight - what am I looking at? ‣ Downloaded elevation data for route-creation on the trail ‣‣ APPLE WATCH ‣ Integration with Apple HealthKit ‣Download maps directly to the watch ‣ Pan and zoom the map just like on the phone ‣ Drop a waypoint ‣ Record a track and see all of your stats ‣‣ CARPLAY ‣ Navigate to the trailhead ‣ Turn by Turn directions on USFS Roads ‣‣ NAVIGATIONAL MINDSET - helpful tips and tricks for keeping you safe in the backcountry! ‣‣ SUBSCRIPTION LEVELS: FREE level: view low resolution maps, record your tracks, and limited features Topo Maps+ Pro: high resolution maps, download maps, planning & on-trail tools, driving mode, import geospatial PDFs and TIFFS Topo Maps+ Elite: MapBox Satellite map, US public and private land overlays, parcel and ownership contact info, game management units. ‣‣ CLOUD Sync your routes, trips, subscriptions, and waypoints between all of your iOS and Mac devices. SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT INFORMATION Topo Maps+ subscriptions will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase and/or completion of free trial. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the free trial or current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://topomaps.co/info/privacy Terms of Service: https://topomaps.co/info/tos Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Topo Maps+ at 4.7 against Back's 3.6. Topo Maps+ also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 20 months) and ratings volume (9.4K vs 17). Back's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). 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. Back sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Topo Maps+ sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Topo Maps+ holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo Maps+ has 9.4K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Back's written reviews are positive against 62% of Topo Maps+'s.
Back ships an update every 20 months, Topo Maps+ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Back | Topo Maps+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.6 (17 ratings) | 4.7 (9.4K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.2% of reviews | 62.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 17 | 9.4K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 20 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | #77 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 252 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pilot X | Glacier Peak Studios LLC |
Customer experience
Back
Topo Maps+
Bugs and requests
Back
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Topo Maps+
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes during map downloads
- GPS tracking issues in certain areas
- Waypoint data loss after app updates
Requested features
5 requests- Improved route planning tools
- Ability to import/export user data
- Enhanced offline map caching
- More detailed map legends
- Integration with other outdoor apps
In-app purchases
Back
- Remove Ads$0.99
Topo Maps+
- Topo Maps+ Essentials 3 Months$14.993 Months
- Topo Maps+ Pro: 3 Months$29.993 Months
- Topo Maps+ Essentials$29.991 Year
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Topo Maps+ Elite: 3 Months$39.993 Months
- Topo Maps+ Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Topo Maps+ Elite7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- 3 Month Map Pass$11.99
- 6 Month Map Pass$14.99
- 12 Month Map Pass$19.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- 3 Months PRO$29.99
- 12 Months PRO$59.99









