AFIS Wildfire Map vs Firespot
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AFIS Wildfire Map
Access global wildfire data detected by satellites. View fire locations and get the latest updates directly on your device. This app provides native access to a comprehensive online wildfire viewer.
- Global wildfire updates
- Satellite fire detection
- Native viewer access
- Real-time information
- Replaces previous app
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Get the latest updates on wildfire locations with the CSIR's AFIS Wildfire Map app that puts vital wildfire information at your fingertips. AFIS gives you access to fires detected globally by NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites as well as the SNPP and NOAA-20 satellites. This app provides native access to the AFIS Viewer that is available online at https://viewer.afis.co.za/ This app replaces the previous AFIS app that was no longer maintainable. New features will be added over time. Visit the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) website for more information about the organization behind AFIS: https://www.csir.co.za
Firespot
Access real-time wildfire information worldwide with satellite data and detailed agency reports for the US and Canada. Monitor fire perimeters, aircraft, wind, air quality, and warnings. Subscribers receive custom alerts for significant fire events.
- Real-time wildfire maps
- Satellite data and imagery
- Aircraft tracking
- Wind and air quality data
- Red flag warnings
- Customizable event alerts
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Firespot is the most comprehensive source of real-time wildfire data. Satellites provide worldwide coverage. US and Canadian government sources provide hyper-detailed North American coverage. - Perimeters and fire status - Satellite true color imagery for active and historical fires - Satellite infrared imagery to see fire through smoke and clouds - Aircraft tracking - Wind - Air quality - Red flag warnings - Satellite-detected fire hotspots from multiple Earth-observing satellites - Satellite-derived climatological data: vegetation, moisture, etc. Firespot subscribers can activate Alerts to receive notifications on important fire-related events. Set one or multiple areas to monitor, and Firespot will pop an alert on your phone when an important change happens. FREE TIER: Use the map, view all fires and red flag warnings. PAID TIER: Set custom alerts, get notifications on your device, access all satellite images, see real-time firefighting aircraft tracking. Firespot is not meant as a replacement for local evacuation alerts and information. Privacy Policy: https://www.firespotapp.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.firespotapp.com/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Firespot at 4.7 against AFIS Wildfire Map's 2.0. Firespot also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (6K vs 4). AFIS Wildfire Map's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Firespot sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. AFIS Wildfire Map asks for nothing beyond the download.
Firespot holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Firespot has 6K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of AFIS Wildfire Map's written reviews are positive against 42% of Firespot's.
AFIS Wildfire Map ships an update every 7 months, Firespot every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AFIS Wildfire Map | Firespot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.0 (4 ratings) | 4.7 (6K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 41.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 6K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | CSIR | Rayner Software LLC |
Customer experience
AFIS Wildfire Map
Firespot
Bugs and requests
AFIS Wildfire Map
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Firespot
Reported bugs
3 issues- Fires not showing up on the map
- Subscription issues (unable to cancel, charges not stopping)
- Accessibility problems (not working with VoiceOver)
Requested features
3 requests- More detailed fire information (size, direction, rate of spread)
- Improved map and visualization features
- Faster data updates
In-app purchases
AFIS Wildfire Map
No in-app purchases
Firespot
- Firespot Yearly$29.991 Year
Questions
Is AFIS Wildfire Map free?
Is Firespot free?
Which has better reviews, AFIS Wildfire Map or Firespot?
Do AFIS Wildfire Map or Firespot have ads?
Which is updated more often, AFIS Wildfire Map or Firespot?
Other comparisons
