Shadehopper vs BrightMaps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Shadehopper
This app calculates walking, running, and cycling routes that prioritize shade. It uses building shadows and sun position to minimize sun and heat exposure, offering three route options for different needs.
- Shade-optimized routes
- Workout and loop route modes
- Turn-by-turn voice navigation
- Street-side shade guidance
- Real-time sun and building data
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Shadehopper finds you the shadiest way to get there. Instead of just the fastest route, Shadehopper calculates walking, running, and cycling routes that keep you in the shade, using building shadows and sun position to cut your sun and heat exposure. - Three route options: Shade-Optimized Route / Workout Plan / Loop Route - Turn-by-turn voice navigation that keeps guiding you with the screen locked - Tells you which side of the street is shaded - Shade calculated from real building data and live sun position - Workout and loop-route modes for runs and rides Built for hot days, sun-sensitive skin, and anyone who'd rather walk in the shade.
BrightMaps
Navigate your city with a focus on staying cool. This app provides walking and biking directions that prioritize routes with tree canopy and building shade, avoiding direct sun exposure.
- Shade-first routing
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Live shade forecasts
- Comfort-based route alternatives
- Live Activity and Dynamic Island support
- Shade-colored route lines
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BrightMaps — The Better Way There Stop walking through the sun. BrightMaps is shade-first navigation that routes you through tree canopy and building shade instead of straight down the hottest sidewalk. FREE Get fast, reliable walking and biking directions with comfort labels on every route, powered by real environmental data across 25 US metro areas. BRIGHTMAPS PRO Unlock shade-optimized routing that automatically favors tree canopy and building shade over sun exposure. Pro also includes: • Shade-colored route lines (tree, building, combined, exposed) • Live shade forecasts and shade timelines • Comfort-based route alternatives Pro shade routing is available nationwide across the lower 48 states using tree canopy data. Our 25 launch metro areas include additional building shade data for the most detailed routing. Try Pro free for 7 days, then $4.99/month or $39.99/year. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID account settings. EVERY ROUTE INCLUDES • Turn-by-turn walking and biking navigation • Live Activity and Dynamic Island support for tracking your route from the Lock Screen • Sign in with Apple for fast, private account creation Whether you're commuting, running errands, or exploring a new neighborhood, BrightMaps helps you find a cooler, more comfortable way there. Privacy Policy: https://brightmaps.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://brightmaps.app/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shadehopper at none against BrightMaps's 2. Shadehopper also leads on ratings volume (5 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. BrightMaps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Shadehopper asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Shadehopper against 5.0 for BrightMaps. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shadehopper has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Shadehopper ships an update every 3 days, BrightMaps every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Shadehopper | BrightMaps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shadehopper LLC | ZINEB SAID |
Customer experience
Shadehopper
BrightMaps
In-app purchases
Shadehopper
No in-app purchases
BrightMaps
- Brightmaps Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- BrightMaps Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
