Comparison

Topo Maps+ vs Hike Safe

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Offline topographic maps
  • Smart route building
  • Waypoints and proximity alerts
  • Land boundary overlays
  • Track recording
  • Apple Watch and CarPlay integration
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Hike Safe

This navigation app saves your starting location and waypoints to help you find your way back if you get lost. It offers map, GPS coordinates, and compass features with large buttons and high contrast colors for visibility. Detailed satellite views are available with active cell service.

Highlights
  • Saves start location and waypoints
  • GPS Coordinates and Compass
  • XL Buttons and high contrast colors
  • Detailed Satellite Map Views
  • Unit and map scale options
  • Offline functionality
Read full description

Everyone Needs a Back Up Plan Hikers, hunters, berry pickers, off roaders, conservationists, field workers, skiers, even boaters! Saves your hike start location ( and waypoints ) in case you are lost or off trail Can close the app and power off the phone to save battery, your location is still saved Map, GPS Coordinates and Compass Meters, Yards, Kilometers, Miles XL Buttons and 5 high contrast colors for night or day outdoor visibility One tap bearings, unit and map scales All on one screen NEW - Detailed Satellite Map Views if active cell service Still 100% FREE NO file downloads NO subscriptions NO in app purchases required

Screenshots

Topo Maps+4 screens
Hike Safe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hike Safe at none against Topo Maps+'s 11. Hike Safe also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). Topo Maps+'s advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (9.3K vs 1). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Topo Maps+ sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 3 months. Hike Safe asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hike Safe holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo Maps+ has 9.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Topo Maps+ ships an update fortnightly, Hike Safe every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Topo Maps+ versus Hike Safe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTopo Maps+Hike Safe
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (9.3K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews62.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings9.3K — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#77 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size246 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGlacier Peak Studios LLCTodd Studer

Customer experience

Topo Maps+

All ratings9,338 ratings
Positive95.9%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews235 reviews
Positive62.1%
Neutral8.5%
Negative29.4%

Hike Safe

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Hike Safe

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Topo Maps+

Subscriptions6
  • Topo Maps+ Essentials 3 Months$14.993 Months
  • Topo Maps+ Pro: 3 Months$29.993 Months
  • Topo Maps+ Essentials$29.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Topo Maps+ Elite: 3 Months$39.993 Months
  • Topo Maps+ Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Topo Maps+ Elite7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time5
  • 3 Month Map Pass$11.99
  • 6 Month Map Pass$14.99
  • 12 Month Map Pass$19.99
Show 2 more
  • 3 Months PRO$29.99
  • 12 Months PRO$59.99
None

Hike Safe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Topo Maps+ free?
Topo Maps+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hike Safe free?
Hike Safe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Topo Maps+ or Hike Safe?
Hike Safe is rated higher. Topo Maps+ averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.3K ratings, while Hike Safe averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Topo Maps+ or Hike Safe have ads?
Hike Safe shows ads; Topo Maps+ does not.
Which is updated more often, Topo Maps+ or Hike Safe?
Topo Maps+ ships an update fortnightly, and Hike Safe every 5 days. Most recently, Topo Maps+ was updated on September 24, 2026 and Hike Safe on June 6, 2026.

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