Comparison

Pub Garden vs pubmates

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

Head to head
About

Pub Garden

Features
Read full description

Find the sunniest pub garden near you. Pub Garden uses a 3D sun-tracking map to show you exactly which beer gardens are in sunlight right now. Real buildings cast real shadows, so you can see at a glance where to sit outside. Search any area across the UK. The map loads real building data and marks every pub and bar with outdoor seating nearby. Tap any venue to see its name, rating, opening hours, photos, and whether the garden is currently in the sun. Use the time slider to plan ahead. Drag it forward to see how shadows shift throughout the day. Find out when a shady garden will catch the sun, or pick the perfect time to head out. Features: 3D map with real building shadows updated in real time Every pub and bar with outdoor seating across the UK Time slider to check sun and shadow at any time of day Live weather, cloud cover, and UV data Venue details: ratings, photos, opening hours, outdoor seating tags Save your favourite pubs and bars with a free account Filter by pubs, bars, or favourites Get directions, visit the website, or open in Google Maps Works in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Brighton, and every UK city Day and night modes with golden hour lighting Free to use. No subscription required.

About

pubmates

Features
Read full description

pubmates is the ultimate app for pub lovers. Discover pubs nearby, see what's on, check in, and share the experience with friends. DISCOVER PUBS Browse pubs near you on an interactive map or list view. See ratings, amenities, opening hours, and photos. Find exactly what you're looking for โ€” whether it's a dog-friendly local with live sport or a craft beer spot with outdoor seating. CHECK IN & SHARE Check in at pubs and let your friends know where you are. Add a rating and a note about your visit. Share your check-ins and build your pub history. STORIES Share photos from your night out with 24-hour stories. Tag the pub, mention friends, and give cheers to each other's posts. PUB CRAWLS Plan pub crawls with walking routes between stops. Invite friends to join live sessions and track your progress together. WHAT'S ON See live events, sports screenings, and featured pubs near you. Never miss a big game or a great night out. SOCIAL Follow friends, see their check-ins in your feed, and discover new pubs through the people you trust. FAVOURITES Save your favourite pubs for quick access. Build your own personal pub guide.

Screenshots

Pub Garden4 screens
pubmates4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: pubmates at none against Pub Garden's shown. Pub Garden's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 days). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pub Garden ships an update every 3 days, pubmates every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
Pub Garden versus pubmates: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPub Gardenpubmates
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days โ€” betterEvery 6 days
AdsYesNo โ€” better
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 โ€” better15.1
Further details โ€” not scored
Size7 MB50 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperOliver StephensBruno Silva

In-app purchases

None

Pub Garden

No in-app purchases

None

pubmates

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pub Garden free?
Pub Garden is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is pubmates free?
pubmates is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pub Garden or pubmates have ads?
Pub Garden shows ads; pubmates does not.
Which is updated more often, Pub Garden or pubmates?
Pub Garden ships an update every 3 days, and pubmates every 6 days. Most recently, Pub Garden was updated on October 1, 2026 and pubmates on October 9, 2026.

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