# The Golden Element vs BASE map

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Golden Element at none against BASE map's 2. The Golden Element also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BASE map sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. The Golden Element asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Golden Element ships an update fortnightly, BASE map every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Golden Element | BASE map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Size | 49 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rafiq Ahamed](https://appshunter.io/developer/937739501) | [JAKE LEWIS ORTON](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713968068) |

## What reviewers say

### The Golden Element

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-golden-element/id6469095033)

**In-app purchases:** none


### BASE map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/base-map/id6470670905)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BASE map monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| BASE map yearly | $20.00 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Golden Element free?

The Golden Element is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BASE map free?

BASE map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do The Golden Element or BASE map have ads?

Neither The Golden Element nor BASE map shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Golden Element or BASE map?

The Golden Element ships an update fortnightly, and BASE map every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Golden Element was updated on October 3, 2026 and BASE map on October 6, 2026.

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