Garmin Alpha vs Forest Track GIS
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.
Forest Track GIS
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ForestTrack is used for tracking equipment while on a tract of land. It will map out their path and even include a swath around them.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Forest Track GIS at daily against Garmin Alpha's monthly. Forest Track GIS also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Garmin Alpha ships an update monthly, Forest Track GIS daily. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Garmin Alpha | Forest Track GIS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (137 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 27.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 137 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 478 MB | 71 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Garmin | Forestry Technologies LLC |
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
Forest Track GIS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Garmin Alpha
No in-app purchases
Forest Track GIS
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Garmin Alpha free?
Is Forest Track GIS free?
Do Garmin Alpha or Forest Track GIS have ads?
Which is updated more often, Garmin Alpha or Forest Track GIS?
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