Comparison

Coverage Map vs Arc Search

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

Head to head
About

Coverage Map

This app provides a crowdsourced map of cellular network performance and coverage across the US, Canada, UK, and Puerto Rico. Users can view real-time speed test data, compare carrier performance, and check signal strength in specific areas. It also includes a built-in speed test to contribute to the map.

Highlights
  • Crowdsourced speed test map
  • Real-time performance data
  • Download, upload, and latency details
  • Carrier and network type filters
  • Built-in speed test functionality
  • Signal strength mapping (US only)
  • Data-driven coverage reports (US only)
Features
Read full description

Coverage Map helps you find the #1 cell phone carrier in your area. It is a crowdsourced map of cellular networks in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico with more countries launching soon. SPEED TEST MAP (All Countries) • Highly accurate: see real-world performance reported by users • Real-time: map updates in real-time as new data comes in • Rich detail: tap any square to see download speeds, upload speeds, and latency for all carriers in that area • Powerful filters: filter by carrier, LTE/5G, download speeds, upload speeds, or see your speed tests only • Helpful color profiles: default, heat map, and best carrier help you visualize and understand the data • Easy to understand: see what carrier performs best in an area at a glance with the Best Carrier color profile BUILT-IN SPEED TEST (All Countries) • Test your speeds: see how fast your LTE or 5G connection is by running a speed test • Accurate results: get accurate results for download speed, upload speed, and latency • Recurring tests: run up to 500 recurring tests automatically and customize the pause duration between tests • Set a data limit: limit how much data the app can use • Tag your tests: tag a test as indoor, outdoor, driving, or other • Improve the Speed Map: running a speed test automatically contributes to the fastest-growing crowdsourced map of cellular networks (note: if your country is not currently supported, when we do launch in your country all of your tests will instantly be mapped and will show up on the map) SIGNAL STRENGTH MAP (US only) • Check reception: see where each carrier has great, good, or poor coverage • Compare coverage footprints: toggle between carriers to see how coverage footprints compare in different areas • Data for every location: the Signal Strength Map uses data from the FCC Broadband Collection, which has coverage data for the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii COVERAGE REPORT MAP (US only) • Data-driven reports: the Coverage Report Map aggregates all available data points to generate detailed reports of cellular coverage & performance in every state, county, city, and ZIP code • Percentage covered: see what percentage of an area each carrier covers • Weighted median: see weighted median values for download speed, upload speeds, and latency for a better picture of real-world cellular performance • Carrier rankings: see what carrier ranks best for coverage, speed, reliability, and overall performance in every area • Distribution graphs: see the distribution graphs for download speeds, upload speeds, and latency • Performance by time of day: see how data speeds vary over the course of day as network traffic picks up Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: https://coveragemap.com/privacy-policy

About

Arc Search

This AI-powered mobile browser prioritizes speed and clarity, offering intelligent summarization and ad-free browsing. It adapts to your search style with voice commands and hands-free options, while maintaining a clutter-free, private online experience.

Highlights
  • AI-powered search summarization
  • Voice search and hands-free browsing
  • Ad-free and tracker-blocking experience
  • Automatic tab archiving
  • Reader mode for focused content
  • Cross-device syncing
Features
Read full description

Arc Search is the modern, AI-enabled mobile browser you’ve been waiting for —focused on getting you to an answer faster, and without all the clutter of the internet. SEARCH YOUR WAY Arc adapts to your needs — use traditional text search, go hands-free with VOICE SEARCH and CALL ARC, or let our features BROWSE FOR ME and PINCH TO SUMMARIZE take the heavy lifting out of your search journey. With intuitive AI summarization, Arc Search condenses webpages into concise insights, delivering the perfect answer to any question you have – no more endless scrolling or information overload. AD FREE, DISTRACTION FREE BROWSING Enjoy an ad-free, distraction-free web experience that's clutter-free (and great for ADHD) with: - Always-on blocking of ads, trackers, GDPR popups, and banners - Automatic archiving of inactive tabs to maintain tidiness - A reader mode that minimizes distractions (great for ADHD) - A minimalist user interface that subtly complements any website PRIVACY FIRST BROWSING We're passionate about the internet but not at the cost of compromising your privacy. Arc Search ensures your online activities remain yours alone with advanced private browsing modes, secure tabs, and comprehensive data protection. ARC, EVERYWHERE Seamlessly sync your Spaces, Pinned Tabs, and Today Tabs across all devices with ARC SYNC. Whether you're on iPhone, iPad, Windows, or Mac, Arc keeps you connected. Access Arc Search quickly with home screen widgets, ensuring you're never more than a tap away from getting what you need from the internet. IN THE DETAILS From the keyboard-ready start to the ~easter egg~ fidget spinner logo (also great for ADHD), Arc Search delights with its clean UI and thoughtful touches. ABOUT THE BROWSER COMPANY Arc Search, crafted with care by The Browser Company, is more than just a browser—it represents a step forward towards a better internet. The Browser Company, based in New York, is a team of friendly individuals committed to improving how we use the internet. After all, the web browser, a tool we use daily for hours, has remained largely unchanged in the past 15 years. This realization led us to develop Arc, a browser that is not just faster but also more personal, focused, and creative. Arc embodies a vision of simplicity, eliminating tab overwhelm and internet clutter to create a more efficient online experience, keeping pace with our increasingly online lives. GO DOWN THE ARC RABBIT HOLE - Download Arc for your desktop and sync your browsing experience across devices: http://arc.net/ - Learn about our mission and team behind Arc: https://thebrowser.company/ - Privacy Policy: https://arc.net/privacy - Terms of Use: https://start.arc.net/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Coverage Map4 screens
Arc Search4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Arc Search at none against Coverage Map's shown. Arc Search also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (25K vs 813). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Arc Search holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arc Search has 25K ratings behind it against 813, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Coverage Map's written reviews are positive against 83% of Arc Search's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Coverage Map ships an update fortnightly, Arc Search every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Coverage Map versus Arc Search: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCoverage MapArc Search
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (813 ratings)4.9 (25K ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.1% of reviews82.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings81325K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB225 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCoverage Map LLCThe Browser Company of New York Inc.

Customer experience

Coverage Map

All ratings798 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews138 reviews
Positive68.1%
Neutral9.4%
Negative22.5%

Arc Search

All ratings25,041 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews1,874 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative9.7%

User reviews

Coverage Map

From 813 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 User-friendly
  • 🚀 Large data collection
  • 👍 Detailed coverage maps
  • 👍 Crowdsourced data
  • 🚀 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 🔋 High data usage
  • 🔍 Inaccurate coverage maps in some areas
  • 🔍 Missing some carrier information
  • 🔍 Limited options for customization

Arc Search

From 25K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Absolutely in love with it
  • 🚀 Exceptional
  • 🚀 Excellent
  • 🚀 Fabulous
  • 🚀 Best browser

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Avoid if you don't want viruses
  • 🐛 Please, stop with the AI
  • 🐛 Arc is dead…
  • 🐛 Mansplaining much?
  • 🐛 Genuinely Disappointed

Bugs and requests

Coverage Map

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent crashes when viewing maps
  • Speed test failures and timeouts
  • Inconsistent speed test results
  • Incorrect location detection

Requested features

5 requests
  • Low data mode
  • Offline coverage map downloads
  • Ability to set test duration and frequency
  • Display cell tower locations
  • Expand to international coverage

Arc Search

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Cannot go past the icon choosing screen in the onboarding process
  • Swipe gesture navigation issues
  • Images not loading properly in background tabs
  • Hyperlink to apps holding onto the page
  • Inconsistent reader mode support compared to Safari

Requested features

16 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to save photos from summary
  • Better tab management
  • Sync with desktop Arc browser
  • iPad app
Show 11 more
  • Incognito mode
  • Integrated VPN
  • Access to profiles and bookmarks from desktop
  • Ability to ask follow-up questions on generated pages
  • Longer/shorter summary options
  • Link previews
  • History section
  • Ability to save downloads to Files app
  • Support for iCloud Private Relay
  • Widgets
  • Notifications

In-app purchases

None

Coverage Map

No in-app purchases

None

Arc Search

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Coverage Map free?
Coverage Map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Arc Search free?
Arc Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Coverage Map or Arc Search?
Arc Search is rated higher. Coverage Map averages 4.7 out of 5 from 813 ratings, while Arc Search averages 4.9 from 25K ratings.
Do Coverage Map or Arc Search have ads?
Coverage Map shows ads; Arc Search does not.
Which is updated more often, Coverage Map or Arc Search?
Coverage Map ships an update fortnightly, and Arc Search every 3 weeks. Most recently, Coverage Map was updated on October 22, 2026 and Arc Search on October 24, 2026.

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