Topo Maps+ vs MagVar
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Topo Maps+
Plan and execute backcountry adventures with offline topographic maps and GPS navigation. Features include route building, waypoints, land boundaries, and on-trail tools. Integrates with Apple Watch and CarPlay for seamless outdoor exploration.
- Offline topographic maps
- Smart route building
- Waypoints and proximity alerts
- Land boundary overlays
- Track recording
- Apple Watch and CarPlay integration
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Designed and tested on real dirt, Topo Maps+ is packed with the maps & tools to plan and execute your backcountry adventure. ‣‣ MAPS FOR EVERY ACTIVITY ‣Setup your map based on your planned activity ‣‣ PLANNING TOOLS ‣ Compare and Download maps for use offline. ‣ Combine overlays to customize your map view ‣ Smart route-building tools ‣ Waypoints ‣ Print, email or share custom maps and routes ‣ Public, Private, and Hunting land boundaries ‣ Parcel Information ‣ Create teams and live-share members’ last known location ‣‣ ON-TRAIL TOOLS (Offline) ‣ View your current location ‣ All Maps and Overlays are downloadable ‣ Record your tracks - see where you’ve been ‣ Photo Waypoints - snap a pic and instantly shows on the map ‣ Progress on Trail - how much further on the trail ‣ Guide Me - to a waypoint ‣ Proximity Alerts - notify me when I’m close to a waypoint, trail, or region ‣ Line of Sight - what am I looking at? ‣ Downloaded elevation data for route-creation on the trail ‣‣ APPLE WATCH ‣ Integration with Apple HealthKit ‣Download maps directly to the watch ‣ Pan and zoom the map just like on the phone ‣ Drop a waypoint ‣ Record a track and see all of your stats ‣‣ CARPLAY ‣ Navigate to the trailhead ‣ Turn by Turn directions on USFS Roads ‣‣ NAVIGATIONAL MINDSET - helpful tips and tricks for keeping you safe in the backcountry! ‣‣ SUBSCRIPTION LEVELS: FREE level: view low resolution maps, record your tracks, and limited features Topo Maps+ Pro: high resolution maps, download maps, planning & on-trail tools, driving mode, import geospatial PDFs and TIFFS Topo Maps+ Elite: MapBox Satellite map, US public and private land overlays, parcel and ownership contact info, game management units. ‣‣ CLOUD Sync your routes, trips, subscriptions, and waypoints between all of your iOS and Mac devices. SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT INFORMATION Topo Maps+ subscriptions will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase and/or completion of free trial. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the free trial or current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://topomaps.co/info/privacy Terms of Service: https://topomaps.co/info/tos Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
MagVar
This navigation tool calculates magnetic variation, the difference between true and magnetic north, essential for plotting courses on maps. It's designed for pilots, sailors, cartographers, and anyone using maps and a compass.
- Magnetic variation calculation
- True vs. magnetic north difference
- Map overlay display
- Accurate for 2025-2029
- Declination and inclination calculation
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MagVar is targeted towards anyone interested in navigation. This includes, pilots of aircraft, captains of sea going vessels, cartographers, engineers and surveyors. Anyone who uses maps and a compass will find the declination calculation (also referred to magnetic variation) very useful. (Declination is the difference between true and magnetic north and used when plotting a course on a map.) MagVar calculates the magnetic flux density for any location on the Earth and then uses this data to calculate magnetic variation. The model is accurate for dates ranging from January 1, 2025 up through December 31, 2029. Using the model, the app calculates declination and inclination. As the user pans the map, the magnetic variation is calculated and graphically shown as a map overlay.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Topo Maps+ at Free against MagVar's $0.99. Topo Maps+ also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (9.4K vs 1). MagVar's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 62%) and in-app purchases (none vs 11). On ads, chart position and iOS requirement 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
Topo Maps+ is free to download; MagVar costs $0.99 up front. Topo Maps+ sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 3 months. MagVar asks for nothing beyond the download.
MagVar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo Maps+ has 9.4K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Topo Maps+'s written reviews are positive against 100% of MagVar's.
Topo Maps+ ships an update every 3 weeks, MagVar every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Topo Maps+ | MagVar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (9.4K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9.4K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 23 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #69 — better | #189 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 252 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Glacier Peak Studios LLC | Robert Walker |
Customer experience
Topo Maps+
MagVar
Bugs and requests
Topo Maps+
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes during map downloads
- GPS tracking issues in certain areas
- Waypoint data loss after app updates
Requested features
5 requests- Improved route planning tools
- Ability to import/export user data
- Enhanced offline map caching
- More detailed map legends
- Integration with other outdoor apps
MagVar
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Topo Maps+
- Topo Maps+ Essentials 3 Months$14.993 Months
- Topo Maps+ Pro: 3 Months$29.993 Months
- Topo Maps+ Essentials$29.991 Year
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- Topo Maps+ Elite: 3 Months$39.993 Months
- Topo Maps+ Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Topo Maps+ Elite7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- 3 Month Map Pass$11.99
- 6 Month Map Pass$14.99
- 12 Month Map Pass$19.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- 3 Months PRO$29.99
- 12 Months PRO$59.99
MagVar
No in-app purchases








