# Ascend Maps vs Open Maps

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ascend Maps at none against Open Maps's 8. Ascend Maps also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). Open Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Open Maps sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Ascend Maps asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ascend Maps ships an update every 6 months, Open Maps every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ascend Maps | Open 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** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 11 MB | 93 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Matthew White](https://appshunter.io/developer/1498369427) | [Knecht, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1127317529) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Open Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-maps-create-and-share/id6599727781)

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basic (Monthly) | $4.99 | per month |
| Basic (Monthly) | $5.99 | per month |
| Pro (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro (Monthly) | $11.99 | per month |
| Basic (Annual) | $49.99 | per year |
| Basic (Annual) | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro (Annual) | $99.99 | per year |
| Pro (Annual) | $119.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ascend Maps free?

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

### Is Open Maps free?

Open Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Ascend Maps or Open Maps have ads?

Neither Ascend Maps nor Open Maps shows ads.

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

Ascend Maps ships an update every 6 months, and Open Maps every 4 days. Most recently, Ascend Maps was updated on October 27, 2026 and Open Maps on October 25, 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.*