Comparison

SW Maps vs TAB Maps

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SW Maps

This app allows users to collect, present, and share geographic information. It supports recording points, lines, polygons, and associated data like photos and audio. High-accuracy GPS surveys are possible with external receivers, and data can be shared in various standard formats.

Highlights
  • Collect points, lines, and polygons
  • Attach custom attributes (text, photo, audio, video)
  • High-accuracy GPS surveys with external receivers
  • Offline map support
  • Export data in multiple formats (Shapefile, GeoPackage, CSV)
  • Create and share project templates
Features
Read full description

SW Maps is a free GIS and mobile mapping app for collecting, presenting and sharing geographic information. Whether you are conducting a full scale GNSS survey with high precision instruments, need to collect large amount of location based data using nothing but your phone, or just need to view a few shapefiles with labels over a background map on the go, SW Maps has it all covered. Record points, lines, polygons and even photos and have them displayed over your choice of background map, and attach custom attribute data to any feature. Attribute types include text, numbers, an option from a predefined set of choices, photos, audio clips and videos. Conduct high accuracy GPS surveys using external RTK capable receivers over Bluetooth LE. Draw features on the map by adding markers, and measure distance and area. Reuse the layers and attributes of a previous project for another survey, or create templates and share them with other users. Share the collected data with other users as Geopackages, KMZ or shapefiles, or export them to your device storage. Also share and export recorded data as Spreadsheets or CSV files. All data is recorded and exported in the standard WGS84 Geographic coordinate system (EPSG:4326). Features -Online Base maps: Apple Maps or Open Street Map -Support for multiple mbtiles and KML overlays -Shapefile and Geopackage layers, with attribute categorized styling. View shapefiles in any coordinate system supported by the PROJ.4 library. -Add multiple online WMTS, TMS, XYZ or WMS layers and cache tiles for offline use. -Connect to external GPS receivers using Bluetooth for high accuracy surveying using RTK with built-in NTRIP client. Also record data from external receiver for post processing. -Define multiple number of feature layers, each with a set of custom attributes Feature Types: Point, Line, Polygon Attribute Types:Text, Numeric, Drop down Options, Photos, Audio, Video Save as Template for re-use or sharing -Record GPS tracks, with distance measurement -Label features based on attribute values. -Import feature layers from templates or existing projects. -Share or export collected data as KMZ (with embedded photographs) , shapefiles, GeoJSON, Geopackage (GPKG), XLS/ODS spreadsheets or csv files. -Share templates or projects with other users -Supports use of GTX geoid files. To use custom geoids, prepare a GTX file with offsets in meters from WGS84. This product is made in Nepal and is FREE (no Ads). If you find this useful, please let your friends know that you have used a product from Nepal. Spare sometime to visit this wonderful country and know the Nepali people.

About

TAB Maps

Features
Read full description

TAB Maps is an all-in-one GIS and mapping application designed for surveying engineers, cadastral specialists, civil engineers, architects, real estate appraisers, farmers, and anyone performing professional measurements in the field. View, edit, measure, and generate professional reports from your NCZ, KML, KMZ, and DXF (CAD) files directly on your mobile device with high speed and precision. KEY FEATURES: KML, KMZ, AND CAD (DXF) SUPPORT - Open KML, KMZ, and DXF files with a single tap and display them as layered maps. - Review your drawings, land parcels, and road alignments right on your mobile device. - Export created or edited projects in KML, KMZ, and DXF formats. ADVANCED MEASUREMENT AND DRAWING TOOLS - Area and Parcel Measurement: Instantly calculate the area (m², acres, hectares) and perimeter of parcels, fields, or polygons. - Distance and Route Measurement: Measure true ground distances between two or more points. - Point Management: Pin any point on the map, label it, and store elevation (z-value) data along with custom notes. INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL COORDINATE SYSTEMS - WGS84 Geographic Coordinates (Degrees Minutes Seconds - DMS & Decimal Degrees). - UTM Projections (3-degree and 6-degree zones). - Turkey Coordinate Systems: ITRF96 (3° & 6° TM) and ED50 (3° & 6° TM) with automatic Central Meridian (DOM) and Zone calculations. - 8,000+ Worldwide EPSG Projections: NAD83 (North America), OSGB36 (UK), CH1903+ (Switzerland), RGF93 / Lambert-93 (France), RD New (Netherlands), ETRS89, and many more. - Automatic local EPSG projection detection and coordinate transformation based on your current location. STAKEOUT AND TARGET NAVIGATION - Looking for a boundary marker or property corner in the field? - Select your target point, and let the app guide you with a live dynamic compass and real-time distance line with high precision. RICH MAP LAYERS AND 3D VIEW - Seamlessly switch between high-resolution satellite imagery, terrain (topographic), and street maps. - Utilize the 3D map view to better visualize slope and terrain morphology. PROFESSIONAL PDF AND COORDINATE REPORTS - Export all collected field points, measurement results, and coordinate summaries into professional branded PDF reports. - Instantly share reports with colleagues via WhatsApp, Email, or cloud storage services. WHO IS IT FOR? - Surveying & Cadastral Engineers and Technicians - Civil Engineers and Site Construction Teams - Architects and Urban Planners - Real Estate Appraisers and Property Consultants - Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Management Professionals - Outdoor Enthusiasts and Field Navigators Simplify your measurements and boost your field productivity with TAB Maps—your trusted digital field assistant! ---------------------------------------- About Subscriptions: - TAB Maps Pro subscription is available on a monthly or yearly basis. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes/Apple account upon confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - You can manage or cancel your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal at any time in your App Store Account Settings. ---------------------------------------- Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://tabgis.com/tab-kml/privacy-policy Support: https://tabgis.com/contact

Screenshots

SW Maps4 screens
TAB Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SW Maps at none against TAB Maps's 3. SW Maps also leads on device support (3 vs 1). TAB Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. TAB Maps sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. SW Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SW Maps ships an update every 2 months, TAB Maps every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SW Maps versus TAB Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSW MapsTAB Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (25 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews30.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings25 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAviyaan TechTayfun Dincer

In-app purchases

None

SW Maps

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

TAB Maps

Subscriptions2
  • Aylık Premium3 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Yıllık Premium3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • TAB Kml/Kmz-GPRS / GIS Survey$99.99

Questions

Is SW Maps free?
SW Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TAB Maps free?
TAB Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SW Maps or TAB Maps have ads?
Neither SW Maps nor TAB Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SW Maps or TAB Maps?
SW Maps ships an update every 2 months, and TAB Maps every 9 days. Most recently, SW Maps was updated on November 3, 2026 and TAB Maps on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons