GPS Explorer vs Parkling
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
GPS Explorer
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GPS Explorer is the map and navigation app for cyclists, hikers, drivers, motorcyclists and everyone who actively explores the world. 3D GLOBE WITH SATELLITE IMAGERY Experience the Earth as an interactive 3D globe with high-resolution satellite imagery - rotatable, zoomable, down to the finest detail. The unique split-view shows the same location simultaneously in the globe and in classic OpenStreetMap side by side. Plan your tours with a bird's-eye view and the precision of a street map. Choose from 8 map styles: Street, Satellite, Topographic, Cycling, Winter Sports, Watercolor, 3D Globe and Split-View. NAVIGATION Turn-by-turn voice guidance for pedestrians, bicycle, e-bike, MTB, car and motorcycle. Routes are automatically recalculated when you go off track. Distance, arrival time and all turns always in view. Navigate directly to group members with live location. RECORD TOURS Integrated bike computer with real-time speed, distance and elevation. After the tour: interactive elevation profile, full statistics and GPX export. Elevation data is added automatically. Daily and total distance always up to date. DISCOVER Wikipedia articles directly on the map: explore landmarks and places with a single tap. Current regional news as a map layer. Create, categorize and share your own POIs with your group. GROUPS AND CHALLENGES Share your location live with the group and track all members on the map. Take on route challenges, compete for the best time on the live leaderboard or create your own challenges from your tours. TECHNICAL Based on OpenStreetMap - Firebase Sync - Offline Mode Available in 7 languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese. Guest mode available without registration. GPS Explorer - The World in Your Hands.
Parkling
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Parkling is a simple parking timer that reminds you before your parking time runs out, so you don't come back to a fine. Set how long you're parked for and get a notification before time is up. Turn on location and Parkling can start the timer for you when you arrive, and stop it for you when you drive away. KEY FEATURES Parking Timer - Set any duration from 1 minute up to almost 24 hours - Get reminders at the halfway point, shortly before the end, and when time is up - Start, stop, or check your timer any time Automatic Start and Stop - Turn on location and Parkling remembers where you parked - The timer starts by itself when you arrive at your spot - It stops by itself when you drive away - Works in the background, even with the app closed - The distance used to detect arriving and leaving can be adjusted in Settings "Parked?" Detection - Parkling can notice when you've just parked, even without a saved location - You get a simple prompt and start a timer with one tap, right from the Lock Screen - Works with or without CarPlay Apple CarPlay - Start, check, and stop your timer from your car's built-in screen - Pick a quick duration or set a custom one, without touching your phone - Arrival alerts also appear on the CarPlay screen Apple Watch - A full companion app for your wrist - Start a timer, watch the countdown, and stop it, all from your Watch - Add a watch face complication to see your remaining time at a glance - Feel a tap on your wrist when time is running low or the timer ends Siri and Shortcuts - Start, stop, and check your parking timer completely hands-free - For example, just say: "Hey Siri, start parking for 45 minutes in Parkling" - Ask "How much parking time is left in Parkling?" and Siri tells you - Also works while CarPlay is connected Live Activity and Dynamic Island - See your countdown right on the Lock Screen - On newer iPhones, follow it live in the Dynamic Island Widgets and Control Center - Add a Lock Screen widget to see your timer at a glance - Start or stop your timer with one tap from Control Center or the Action button Notifications You Can Trust - Alerts are marked time-sensitive, so they get through most Focus modes, including Driving Focus - One clear alert when the timer ends, no repeated reminders Privacy First - All your data stays on your device - No account, no ads, no tracking - Works without an internet connection - only looking up your street name needs one Also Included - Dark Mode - Available in 10 languages - A welcome screen that walks you through every permission Parkling asks for, and why Parkling is built to be quick and simple: set a time, forget about it, and let your phone remind you when it matters.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Parkling at none against GPS Explorer's 10. GPS Explorer's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. GPS Explorer sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Parkling asks for nothing beyond the download.
GPS Explorer ships an update monthly, Parkling every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GPS Explorer | Parkling |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | β | 0.0% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 2 weeks β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No β better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac β better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 β better | 26.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 65 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stefan Hutter | Michael Schwarz |
In-app purchases
GPS Explorer
- Snow Map$5.99
- Weather Map$5.99
- 3D Globe$5.99
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- Split View$5.99
- Nautical Map$5.99
- Aviation Map$5.99
- 3D Street Map$5.99
- Historical Map$5.99
- Hiking Map$5.99
- All Maps$59.99
Parkling
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is GPS Explorer free?
Is Parkling free?
Do GPS Explorer or Parkling have ads?
Which is updated more often, GPS Explorer or Parkling?
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