# Navtech vs Ascend Maps

The clearest difference is update cadence: Navtech at every 6 weeks against Ascend Maps's every 6 months. Ascend Maps's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Navtech ships an update every 6 weeks, Ascend Maps every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Navtech | Ascend Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascend-maps/id6504321706/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 247 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ashish Chanana](https://appshunter.io/developer/1694191897) | [Matthew White](https://appshunter.io/developer/1498369427) |

## What reviewers say

### Navtech

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navtech-gps/id6463715599)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ascend Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascend-maps/id6504321706)

This app provides customizable outdoor maps with offline capabilities. It features 3D terrain, track recording, saved places management, and the ability to save map tiles for offline use. Explore the outdoors with detailed, personalized navigation tools.

**Highlights:** Offline search, 3D terrain, Track recording and editing, Saved places management, Customizable map styles, Offline map tile saving

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Navtech free?

Navtech is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ascend Maps free?

Ascend Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Navtech or Ascend Maps have ads?

Neither Navtech nor Ascend Maps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Navtech or Ascend Maps?

Navtech ships an update every 6 weeks, and Ascend Maps every 6 months. Most recently, Navtech was updated on October 27, 2026 and Ascend Maps on October 27, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*