Comparison

Topo Fire vs MCG Maps

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

MCG Maps

This offline mapping application allows users to import georeferenced PDF incident maps and view their real-time location on them. It provides tools to add, organize, and share field information, including markers with descriptions and photos, all without requiring an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Import georeferenced PDF incident maps
  • View real-time location on map
  • Add markers with descriptions and photos
  • Integrated compass for orientation
  • Coordinate viewing and sharing (DD, DDM, DMS)
  • Offline map and data functionality
  • Import/export GeoJSON, KML, KMZ formats
Features
Read full description

MCG Maps is a simple, offline-first mapping app built for firefighters, by a firefighter. Import your incident GeoPDF and take it into the field. MCG Maps shows your location directly on the map and gives you the tools you need to add, organize, and share field information without turning your map into a full GIS project. Built for the fireline • Import georeferenced PDF incident maps • See your location directly on the operational map • Use an integrated compass for orientation • Add Markers using your current location, manual map placement, or entered coordinates • Add descriptions and photos to Markers • View coordinates in Decimal Degrees (DD), Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM), or Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS) • Copy and share Marker coordinates • Move, edit, organize, and share Markers • Share maps with or without your Markers • Exchange MCG Maps packages with other MCG Maps users • Import and export common geographic formats including GeoJSON, KML, and KMZ • Keep multiple maps organized by Fire • Work with your maps and field data offline Simple by design MCG Maps is intended to make the common field workflow fast: open the incident map, see where you are, and mark what matters. There are no ads, no account requirement, and no subscription required to use MCG Maps. Your Fires, maps, Markers, photos, and other operational data are stored locally on your device. MCG Maps includes an optional tip jar for users who want to support continued development. Tipping is completely voluntary and unlocks no additional functionality. Mission Critical Guidance

Screenshots

Topo Fire4 screens
MCG Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MCG Maps at 5.0 against Topo Fire's 4.5. MCG Maps also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Topo Fire's advantage is ratings volume (11 vs 2) and device support (5 vs 2). On price and ads 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. MCG Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MCG Maps 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard6 real differences · 3 level
Topo Fire versus MCG Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTopo FireMCG Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (11 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings11 — better2
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size185 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGlacier Peak Studios LLCMission Critical Guidance LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Topo Fire

Subscriptions1
  • Topo Fire Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
None

MCG Maps

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Topo Fire free?
Topo Fire is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MCG Maps free?
MCG Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Topo Fire or MCG Maps?
MCG Maps is rated higher. Topo Fire averages 4.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while MCG Maps averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Topo Fire or MCG Maps have ads?
Neither Topo Fire nor MCG Maps shows ads.

Other comparisons