Coverage Map vs Cell Surveys
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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)
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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
Cell Surveys
This app transforms your iPhone into a signal survey tool, passively collecting cellular data as you move. Visualize coverage with heatmaps, track mileage for deductions, and analyze signal performance with detailed charts and an AI assistant. It offers parcel-level data and prioritizes user privacy by storing data on-device.
- Passive cellular signal collection
- Coverage heatmaps and dead zone identification
- On-demand surveys for various signals
- Automatic mileage tracking for deductions
- Parcel-level property data
- AI assistant for data analysis
- Privacy-focused on-device data storage
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Cell Surveys turns your iPhone into a powerful signal survey tool. Passively collect cellular signal data as you drive, walk, or commute — then view coverage heatmaps, track mileage, and identify dead zones on an interactive map. KEY FEATURES - Passive Signal Collection — Automatically records cellular signal strength (estimates) in the background using GPS. No manual effort required. - Coverage Heatmaps — See color-coded signal quality overlaid on your map. Instantly spot dead zones, weak coverage areas, and strong signal corridors. - On-Demand Surveys — Run targeted surveys for cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Record signal data along a path with real-time charts. - Mileage Tracking — Automatic trip detection logs your drives for IRS mileage deductions. Review trips on a calendar, see each drive on the map, mark trips work or personal, and check driving time and estimated fuel or EV costs. Export a CSV whenever you need it, all in the app. - Parcel-Level Detail — Tap any property on the map to see parcel boundaries, owner info, and sub-grid signal analysis for that location. - AI Assistant — Ask questions about your survey data, coverage patterns, or signal metrics in the AI chat, using your own Anthropic or OpenAI API key. - Parcel Coverage Dashboard — Lock onto a property and open its dashboard: a 5-meter signal grid on the map and in 3D by floor or elevation, a coverage quality breakdown, carriers and network types seen, and property details. Filter by day, week, month or a custom range, and watch readings from your other devices on the same account arrive live. - Privacy First — No ads, no trackers, and we never sell your personal information or individual readings. Readings sync to your account to build your maps and mileage; the public crowd coverage map shows only average signal per area, never your account or trips. Whether you're a telecom professional doing site surveys, a fleet manager tracking coverage along delivery routes, a real estate investor evaluating connectivity, or just someone who wants to find the dead zones on your commute — Cell Surveys gives you ground-truth visibility into how cellular networks actually perform. CELL SURVEYS PRO (OPTIONAL) Signal heatmaps, coverage maps and survey recording are free. Cell Surveys Pro adds parcel boundaries and property details, operator mode, and mileage and trip tracking with work and personal labels, saved places, cost estimates, CSV export and weekly summaries. Pro is an auto-renewing subscription: $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Payment is charged to your Apple ID when you confirm the purchase. It renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel it in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://cellsurveys.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://cellsurveys.app/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Coverage Map at none against Cell Surveys's 2. Coverage Map also leads on ratings volume (815 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Cell Surveys's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 68%). On price, update cadence and device support 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
Both are free to download. Cell Surveys sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Coverage Map asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cell Surveys holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Coverage Map has 815 ratings behind it against 2, 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 100% of Cell Surveys's.
Coverage Map ships an update fortnightly, Cell Surveys every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Coverage Map | Cell Surveys |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (815 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 815 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Coverage Map LLC | Dwas Woot LLC |
Customer experience
Coverage Map
Cell Surveys
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
Cell Surveys
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Coverage Map
No in-app purchases
Cell Surveys
- Cell Surveys Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Cell Surveys Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Questions
Is Coverage Map free?
Is Cell Surveys free?
Which has better reviews, Coverage Map or Cell Surveys?
Do Coverage Map or Cell Surveys have ads?
Which is updated more often, Coverage Map or Cell Surveys?
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