Going Blue vs Vertex Maps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Going Blue
This weather app provides detailed forecasts via satellite messengers, ideal for remote expeditions. It compresses extensive weather data into single messages, accessible through SMS, Garmin inReach, or iPhone satellite messaging.
- Satellite messenger compatibility
- Custom data compression codec
- SMS, Garmin inReach, iPhone messaging support
- Hourly and 13-day forecasts
- Multiple weather variables
- Over 30 forecast models
- Forecast comparison
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Going Blue is an expedition weather app designed specifically for low-bandwidth satellite connections. It is built for skiers, alpinists, backpackers, kayakers, sailors, hunters, and anyone else who needs detailed weather forecasts in remote places. Going Blue works with direct-to-cell satellite internet, SMS, Garmin inReach, iPhone satellite messaging, and ZOLEO. How it works 1. Build a forecast request in the app. Choose the location, model, and variables that you care about. 2. Send the forecast request to Going Blue via the internet, SMS, Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, or iPhone satellite messaging. 3. Receive an encoded message from Going Blue. Paste it into the app to see a detailed forecast. Features - Satellite ready: Get forecasts anywhere in the world, without cell reception. Works with direct-to-cell satellite internet (Starlink Direct to Cell, T-Satellite), Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, and iPhone satellite messaging. - Hundreds of data points per message: Uses custom compression optimized for weather data to fit a detailed weather forecast into a single message. - 30+ weather models: Forecasts from high-resolution models like HRRR (3km), HRDPS (2.5km), ICON-D2 (2km), and MET Norway (1km). Automatically chooses the best model for your location. - Detailed cloud cover: See up to 10 levels in the atmosphere to differentiate between high clouds, valley fog, and whiteout conditions. - Mountain forecasts: Pressure-level winds and freezing level for high-altitude mountaineering. - Air quality: Plan around wildfire smoke and other pollution with AQI forecasts. - Model agreement: See how well the forecast agrees with models from NOAA, ECMWF, ECCC, and DWD. - Avalanche forecasts: Full avalanche forecasts from Avalanche Canada. - Works offline: All forecasts are saved on your device for comparing multiple models and past forecasts while offline. - Private: Going Blue requires no account and does not store your name, email, or phone number. Terms of Use: https://going.blue/terms
Vertex Maps
This app provides backcountry maps and detailed weather forecasts for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers features for paragliding, backcountry skiing, and trail activities, including terrain data, route planning, and flight logging.
- Mountain weather forecasts
- Terrain and elevation maps
- Route planning and tracking
- Flight log and activity tracking
- Offline map downloads
- Augmented reality terrain view
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Best paragliding weather and maps on iPhone. Vertex puts mountain weather, terrain, routes, a flight log and activity tracking on one map for paragliding, backcountry skiing, and trail days. EXPLORE WITH VERTEX FREE • Explore online satellite, terrain, elevation and winter basemaps. • Check trails, public lands, motor-vehicle routes, backcountry huts, slope angles, avalanche forecasts, airspace and TFRs, and wildfire information. • See temperature, surface wind, gusts, precipitation and cloud forecasts in 3 hour steps across the full available range, where the selected model has coverage. • Check current weather, snow, air-quality and stream-gauge readings and the latest observed radar and lightning. • Record ground activities and import GPX, FIT, TCX, IGC, KML, KMZ and ZIP files. • Review elevation profiles, activity statistics, heart-rate data, photos and XC scores. Measure distances, draw routes manually, and save places and webpages. • Gather your sites, stations and NWS forecast discussions in one Weather Brief. • Sync personal activities, markers and lines across devices with your free account. PLAN FURTHER WITH VERTEX PRO One monthly or annual subscription covers Pro tools across paragliding, ski and trail modes: • Download maps and supported terrain layers for use without service. • Build and edit routes that automatically follow trails. • Use Photo Basemap to align your photos with terrain and turn them into map overlays. • Point your camera at the mountains with Terrain AR to see ridgelines, slopes and peak names over the live view. • Get detailed 1 hour forecasts where available, soaring and snow forecasts, smoke forecasts, winds aloft, the thermal diagram and airgrams. • Play radar history, nowcasts and forecasts, and browse dated satellite imagery. • Review station history where supported. Your existing downloaded maps, saved photo overlays and personal routes remain viewable when Pro ends. Current observations and forecast coverage depend on the source; not every station has history. Offline downloads contain supported map layers, not all live weather or airspace updates. Pro subscriptions renew automatically until cancelled. Prices and any eligible free trial are shown before purchase. Manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Vertex requires a free account using a one-time code sent to your email. Weather, terrain, avalanche, trail, and airspace information may be incomplete, delayed, or inaccurate. Vertex is a planning tool, not a substitute for official forecasts, NOTAMs, avalanche bulletins, local knowledge, or your own judgment. Terms: https://vertexmaps.com/terms Privacy: https://vertexmaps.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Going Blue at free against Vertex Maps's freemium. Going Blue also leads on chart position (#198 vs unranked). Vertex Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 days). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Going Blue sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Vertex Maps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Going Blue against 5.0 for Vertex Maps. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively.
Going Blue ships an update every 8 days, Vertex Maps every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.
| Parameter | Going Blue | Vertex Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #198 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 111 MB | 110 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Lane Aasen | Vertex Maps LLC |
Customer experience
Going Blue
Vertex Maps
In-app purchases
Going Blue
- Going Blue Expedition (1 month)$9.991 Month
- Going Blue Expedition (annual)$19.991 Year
Vertex Maps
- Vertex Pro Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
- Vertex Pro Annual1 Month trial$29.991 Year









