Comparison

Topo Fire vs HeatMark

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

Head to head
About

Topo Fire

This app provides wildland firefighters with essential mapping tools and resources for incident response. It offers shared incident maps, various map layers, and navigation aids, all accessible on mobile devices and Apple Watch.

Highlights
  • Shared incident maps with live location
  • Multiple map layers (USGS, Forest Service, etc.)
  • Drawing and waypoint tools
  • Proximity alerts
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Cloud sync across devices
Features
Read full description

Topo Fire is packed with the maps & tools every Wildland Firefighter needs. ‣‣ FREE Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) ‣ Easily accessible right on your phone. ‣ Change font size. ‣ Change color scheme. ‣‣ SHARED INCIDENT MAP ‣ Create a new map for each incident. ‣ Share that map with your teammates. ‣ Add NWCG & ICS Symbols to the map. ‣ Live location sharing. ‣‣ MAPS ‣ US National Map ‣ USGS Topo Map ‣ US Forest Service ‣ Natural Resource Canada Topo Map ‣ Thunderforest ‣ AccuTerra maps ‣ ESRI Maps ‣‣ MAP OVERLAYS ‣ Elevation ‣ Slope ‣ Grid ‣ Distance Rings ‣ Hill Shading ‣ Private Land (US) ‣ Public Land (US) ‣‣ TOOLS ‣ Import geoPDF© ‣ Add Lines, Waypoints, & Polygons ‣ Share map data ‣ Import & Export Map Data ‣ Proximity Alerts ‣ Print Maps ‣ Guide Me ‣‣ APPLE WATCH ‣ 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 ‣‣ CLOUD Sync your lines, polygons, waypoints, incidents, & subscriptions between all of your iOS and Mac devices. SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT INFORMATION Topo Fire 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://topofire.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://topofire.com/tos Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

HeatMark

Monitor active fires in real-time with live maps, satellite data, and weather overlays. Understand fire progression with growth rings and wind conditions. Save locations for quick access and stay informed about wildfire activity.

Highlights
  • Live wildfire map with NASA satellite data
  • Advanced satellite layers (MODIS, VIIRS)
  • Growth ring visualization for fire progression
  • Smoke and radar overlays
  • Live wind conditions
  • Saved locations and watchlist monitoring
Features
Read full description

HeatMark is a powerful wildfire tracking app that lets you monitor active fires in real time using NASA satellite data, advanced map overlays, and live weather conditions. Whether you live in a wildfire-prone area, travel frequently, manage property, or simply want better awareness during fire season, HeatMark provides professional-grade fire intelligence in a clean, easy-to-use interface. LIVE WILDFIRE MAP View active wildfire detections powered by NASA FIRMS satellite data. See fire hotspots update as new satellite passes detect thermal anomalies. ADVANCED SATELLITE LAYERS Switch between multiple detection sources including MODIS and VIIRS for different resolution views. Toggle map layers to customize how you analyze fire activity. GROWTH RINGS Visualize how wildfire detections expand over time with growth ring overlays. Quickly understand fire progression and direction. SMOKE AND RADAR OVERLAYS Overlay live radar and atmospheric layers to monitor smoke movement and weather conditions impacting fire spread. LIVE WIND CONDITIONS See current wind speed and direction to better understand potential fire movement near your location. SAVED LOCATIONS Add and save cities or use your current GPS location to quickly jump back to areas you care about. Set a default location for instant access on launch. WATCHLIST MONITORING Track specific areas and receive fast visibility into nearby fire activity. MAP PROVIDER OPTIONS Choose between Apple Maps or Google Maps on supported devices for the mapping experience you prefer. SMART LEGEND CONTROLS Collapse and expand the map legend to maximize viewing space while keeping powerful tools easily accessible. FAST AND RESPONSIVE HeatMark is built for performance. Pan, zoom, and explore fire layers smoothly even when monitoring large geographic regions. WHO HEATMARK IS FOR • Homeowners in wildfire-prone regions • Travelers monitoring fire activity near destinations • Outdoor enthusiasts and RV travelers • Property managers and landowners • Anyone who wants clear, real-time wildfire visibility DATA SOURCES Wildfire detections are provided by NASA FIRMS satellite data. Weather overlays use trusted meteorological sources to deliver accurate wind and radar information. IMPORTANT HeatMark is designed for awareness and monitoring. It is not an official emergency alert system. Always follow guidance from local authorities during wildfire events. Stay informed. Stay aware. Track wildfire activity with precision using HeatMark.

Screenshots

Topo Fire4 screens
HeatMark4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HeatMark at 5.0 against Topo Fire's 4.5. HeatMark also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Topo Fire's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). On price 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. Topo Fire sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $59.99 per year. HeatMark asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HeatMark holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo Fire has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Topo Fire ships an update weekly, HeatMark every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Topo Fire versus HeatMark: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTopo FireHeatMark
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (11 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings11 — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size185 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGlacier Peak Studios LLCEpic Genius LLC

Customer experience

Topo Fire

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%

HeatMark

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Topo Fire

Subscriptions1
  • Topo Fire Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
None

HeatMark

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Topo Fire free?
Topo Fire is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HeatMark free?
HeatMark is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Topo Fire or HeatMark?
HeatMark is rated higher. Topo Fire averages 4.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while HeatMark averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Topo Fire or HeatMark have ads?
HeatMark shows ads; Topo Fire does not.
Which is updated more often, Topo Fire or HeatMark?
Topo Fire ships an update weekly, and HeatMark every 3 months. Most recently, Topo Fire was updated on September 14, 2026 and HeatMark on August 14, 2026.

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