# Scenic Map vs Ascend Maps

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ascend Maps at none against Scenic Map's 1. Ascend Maps also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.1). Scenic Map's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Scenic Map sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ascend Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ascend Maps holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

Scenic Map ships an update every 3 months, Ascend Maps every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Scenic Map | Ascend Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scenic-map/id629666111/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascend-maps/id6504321706/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 66 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GrangerFX](https://appshunter.io/developer/363698835) | [Matthew White](https://appshunter.io/developer/1498369427) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 |


### Ascend Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascend-maps/id6504321706)

This app provides customizable outdoor maps with offline capabilities. It features 3D terrain, track recording, saved places management, and the ability to save map tiles for offline use. Explore the outdoors with detailed, personalized navigation tools.

**Highlights:** Offline search, 3D terrain, Track recording and editing, Saved places management, Customizable map styles, Offline map tile saving

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Scenic Map free?

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

### Is Ascend Maps free?

Ascend Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

Ascend Maps is rated higher. Scenic Map averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Ascend Maps averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

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

Neither Scenic Map nor Ascend Maps shows ads.

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

Scenic Map ships an update every 3 months, and Ascend Maps every 6 months. Most recently, Scenic Map was updated on October 23, 2026 and Ascend Maps on October 15, 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.*