Comparison

Garmin Alpha vs Flatline Maps

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Cellular dog tracking
  • Smartphone integration
  • VHF tracking signal support
  • Integrated mapping
  • Waypoint marking
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Flatline Maps

Features
Read full description

Subscribe to unlock the complete Flatline Maps hunting experience. Get full access to every Flatline Maps hunting unit, featuring completely custom-built maps designed specifically for hunters who demand accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information in the field. Each Flatline Map unit is carefully hand-drawn and continuously updated with roads, hiking trails, access routes, fire data, dirt tanks, trick tanks, and man-made water systems to provide a level of detail standard maps often miss. These units are built to help hunters better understand terrain, locate key water sources, identify travel corridors, and navigate remote areas with confidence. The Flatline Maps base layer is continuously being expanded, with new units and updates added every month. Be sure to check our website and Instagram pages regularly for the latest releases, map updates, and work-in-progress units currently being developed. Your subscription also includes detailed US topo, high-resolution satellite imagery, and street base maps for advanced scouting, route planning, and navigation both on and off the grid. Premium tools include custom waypoints, distance measuring, track recording, the Walk-On tool, and route creation to help you mark important locations, track movement, scout efficiently, and plan successful hunts. Whether you’re preparing from home or navigating deep in the field, Flatline Maps delivers the mapping detail and tools serious hunters rely on. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.flatlinemaps.com/pr

Screenshots

Garmin Alpha4 screens
Flatline Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Garmin Alpha at none against Flatline Maps's 2. Flatline Maps's advantage is chart position (#181 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Flatline Maps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Garmin Alpha asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Garmin Alpha versus Flatline Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin AlphaFlatline Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (129 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings129 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationSubscription—
Best chart rank—#181 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size478 MB83 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperGarminFlatlineMaps, 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
Show 26 more
  • 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
Show 13 more
  • 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

Flatline Maps

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Garmin Alpha

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Flatline Maps

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$69.991 Year

Questions

Is Garmin Alpha free?
Garmin Alpha is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Flatline Maps free?
Flatline Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Garmin Alpha or Flatline Maps have ads?
Neither Garmin Alpha nor Flatline Maps shows ads.

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