Garmin Alpha vs Dirt Ledger
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Garmin Alpha
Track your dog's movements using cellular technology and your smartphone. This app works with a compatible Garmin dog tracking system to provide real-time location data and navigation features.
- Cellular dog tracking
- Smartphone integration
- VHF tracking signal support
- Integrated mapping
- Waypoint marking
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Connect to the hunt with the Alpha® LTE dog tracker, using cellular technology (subscription required). Use your smartphone to track your dog’s movements with the Alpha® app. Connect your Alpha LTE tracking system to a compatible Garmin VHF dog tracking system (sold separately) to leverage either LTE or VHF tracking signals. Use the Alpha app to navigate and mark waypoints with integrated mapping.
Dirt Ledger
Record and share your off-road adventures with this GPS companion. Discover new trails, navigate offline, and ride together with friends. Your location tracking is always under your control.
- Record ride details (route, distance, speed, elevation)
- Discover nearby off-road and hiking trails
- Offline map downloads for navigation
- Group ride creation and live location sharing
- Share completed adventure routes
- User-controlled location tracking
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Track every adventure with Dirt Ledger, a GPS companion for hikers, dirt bikers, ATV riders, and off-road explorers. RECORD YOUR RIDES Capture your route, distance, duration, speed, and elevation. Your ride history is synced so you can revisit and share completed adventures. DISCOVER TRAILS Find nearby off-road trails, 4WD tracks, and hiking paths using OpenStreetMap data. NAVIGATE OFFLINE Download maps for offline use and stay oriented when cell service is limited. Offline map downloads are unlocked with the one-time Supporter purchase. RIDE TOGETHER Create or join group rides and see participating riders on the map. Share your live location with friends and family when you choose. SHARE YOUR ADVENTURES Send a link to a completed route with its map and ride statistics. Location tracking begins only when you actively start a ride or enable live sharing. You control when tracking and sharing stop. Dirt Ledger is a recreational navigation aid. Trail conditions and map data may change. Follow posted signs, local laws, and safe riding practices.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Dirt Ledger at 100% against Garmin Alpha's 27%. Dirt Ledger also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.7) and update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). Garmin Alpha's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (137 vs 3). On price, ads 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. Dirt Ledger sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Garmin Alpha asks for nothing beyond the download.
Dirt Ledger holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin Alpha has 137 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Garmin Alpha's written reviews are positive against 100% of Dirt Ledger's.
Garmin Alpha ships an update monthly, Dirt Ledger every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Garmin Alpha | Dirt Ledger |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (137 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 27.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 137 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 478 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Garmin | Mounir Saade |
Customer experience
Garmin Alpha
Dirt Ledger
Bugs and requests
Garmin Alpha
Reported bugs
31 issues- Cursor lag on opening
- No distance, heading, or name on map when tracking dog
- Tracks won't clear
- Green screen when satellite map selected
- Unable to view any data from Alpha 10 on the map
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- Took away the option to track dog with TT25 Collar
- Doesn't track the handheld most of the time
- Dog tracking lags
- Unpaired handheld won't re-pair
- Not all dogs show up on the application
- Broken recently, does not show dog collars anymore
- Device constantly and continuously disconnects from app
- Sync takes forever
- Nothing shows up in the map from saved tracks
- Records missing after completing sync
- Confusing display and navigation of records
- Map display badly needs a satellite map overlay option
- No way to limit tracks by time
- Handheld constantly crashes and turns off
- App has a hard time pairing with Alpha 300i
- Won't sync after pairing
- Handheld won't connect after app download
- Bark & treed notification only on handheld
- Old explore app worked perfect and allowed merging of devices
- Doesn't allow data merging
- Won't easily connect to alpha
- ISO update is worthless
- Won't work on iPhone
- Bluetooth pairing issues on iPhone 14pro
- Device asks to pair, then connection failed instantly
- App is terrible
Requested features
18 requests- Add yards as a unit of measure
- Add watch app
- Option to make corrections directly from the app
- Easier to switch between Bluetooth devices
- Option to connect multiple devices at once
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- Add yards in the app
- Share or print inventory tab
- Use app with Apple CarPlay
- Use app with Apple Watch
- Add satellite map overlay option
- Usable filter of tracks by time
- Option for arrow always pointing up and map to spin
- Integrate Alpha app to CarPlay
- Allow colleagues to follow dogs with the app
- Use Google Maps for non-initiated users
- Add yards as an option
- Add notifications for dog barks or trees
- Option to save tracks on map indefinitely
Dirt Ledger
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Garmin Alpha
No in-app purchases
Dirt Ledger
- Supporter$9.99
Questions
Is Garmin Alpha free?
Is Dirt Ledger free?
Which has better reviews, Garmin Alpha or Dirt Ledger?
Do Garmin Alpha or Dirt Ledger have ads?
Which is updated more often, Garmin Alpha or Dirt Ledger?
Other comparisons
