Comparison

VanLog vs HexStep

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

Head to head
About

VanLog

Features
Read full description

VanLog is an offline-first logbook for van life and RV travel. Track everything in one place: - Vehicle maintenance and service history - Campsites with notes, ratings, photos, and map location - Fuel fill-ups with MPG and cost tracking - Water and waste entries for day-to-day van living VanLog helps you stay organized on the road and avoid missed service: - Log maintenance by mileage and date - Get reminders for upcoming service - Keep a searchable history of all entries - Continue logging even without signal Whether you travel full-time or on weekend trips, VanLog gives you a clean, practical system for vehicle care and travel records. IMPORTANT NOTES: - You can read the Terms of Use (EULA) here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ *VanLog offers auto-renewable subscriptions. Payment will be charged to your iCloud account at confirmation of purchase and the subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period, as the account will be charged 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions have to be managed by the user themselves and auto-renewal may be turned off by opening the user's account settings after purchase. Great for: - Van life - RV maintenance tracking - Overlanding logs - Campsite journals - Offline trip logging

About

HexStep

This app uses your real-world movement to fill in a hexagonal map. Earn points for exploring new areas and level up as your map grows. Share your progress visually with friends.

Highlights
  • Background GPS tracking
  • Hexagonal map visualization
  • Progressive area completion
  • Tiered leveling system
  • Shareable map cards
  • Offline capability
Read full description

Watch your map fill in. HexStep turns the places you go into a map of hexagons that stays with you. No check-ins, no photo tagging. Walk, ride or drive through a hex and it stays on your map. HexStep records while the app is open. Turn on Background Tracking and allow location access "Always" to keep recording while you use other apps or your phone is locked. SEE HOW MUCH YOU'VE EXPLORED • Hexes are recorded anywhere in the world • See your coverage of countries and their regions, down to cities or neighborhoods where boundary data is available (detail varies by country) • Switch between places explored and hexes explored YOUR EXPLORATION, DAY BY DAY The Exploration calendar keeps every day you explored. Days you claimed new hexes are brighter than days you only revisited. LEVEL UP AND COMPETE • Every new hex earns points • Climb five tiers: Wanderer, Regular, Local, Explorer, Human GPS • Today, this week, this month and all-time leaderboards, ranked by the hexes you claim SHARE YOUR MAP Make a story-ready card of your map for Instagram, iMessage or anywhere else. HEXSTEP PLUS One-time purchase. No subscription. • Map Replay: watch your map fill in day by day and save it as a video • Visit intensity: places you return to appear stronger on the map • Tap any hex to see when you first claimed it, how many days you've visited and your last visit • Pick any day on your calendar and see where you went YOUR DATA No account needed. Without an account, your map is saved only on your iPhone. Sign in with Apple or Google to back up your hexes, points and calendar to your HexStep account and restore them on a new iPhone. Signing in is also required to join the leaderboards and buy Plus. You can export your data or delete your account anytime in Settings. Start walking. Your map is waiting.

Screenshots

VanLog4 screens
HexStep4 screens

Verdict

The call

VanLog and HexStep are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. VanLog sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and HexStep sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
VanLog versus HexStep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVanLogHexStep
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.3 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHannes DermutzJeong Won Huh

In-app purchases

3 purchases

VanLog

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • VanLog Pro Lifetime$79.99
1 purchases

HexStep

One-time1
  • HexStep Plus$14.99

Questions

Is VanLog free?
VanLog is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HexStep free?
HexStep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do VanLog or HexStep have ads?
Neither VanLog nor HexStep shows ads.

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