# Handy GPS vs Tomstrails GPS UTM

The clearest difference is price: Tomstrails GPS UTM at Free against Handy GPS's $9.99. Tomstrails GPS UTM also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 10). Handy GPS's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Tomstrails GPS UTM is free to download; Handy GPS costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Handy GPS against 4.8 for Tomstrails GPS UTM. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tomstrails GPS UTM has 1.6K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Handy GPS's written reviews are positive against 84% of Tomstrails GPS UTM's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Handy GPS | Tomstrails GPS UTM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handy-gps/id704471940/reviews)** | [4.8 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tomstrails-gps-utm/id1004370364/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **1.6K** |
| Positive reviews | **87.5% of reviews** | 83.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 6 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anthony Dunk](https://appshunter.io/developer/704471943) | [Tomstrails.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/425642318) |

## What reviewers say

### Handy GPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handy-gps/id704471940)

Navigate the outdoors with this comprehensive tool. Record waypoints, track logs, and find your way home using UTM or lat/lon coordinates. Supports offline maps and data export for planning and sharing.

**Highlights:** UTM and Lat/Lon coordinate support, Waypoint recording and navigation, Track log recording, Offline map tile downloads, KML/GPX file import and export, Magnetic compass and elevation profile, Sun and moon rise/set times

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Tomstrails GPS UTM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tomstrails-gps-utm/id1004370364)

This app provides precise UTM grid references and displays your location on topographic maps. It works offline, supports various regional datums, and offers multiple coordinate formats for easy sharing and use in other applications.

**Highlights:** Fast and accurate UTM grid reference, Locate position on topographic maps, Works without phone signal, Supports regional datums (e.g., ED50), Multiple coordinate formats (1m, 10m, 100m), Share coordinates with other apps, High contrast display for readability

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and free
- 👍 Works well
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Accurate and reliable
- 👍 Great for hiking and emergencies

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't do anything
- 🐛 Coordinates not always accurate
- 💰 Requires payment for some features

**Reported bugs**

- Stopped working after iOS update
- UTM grids were off initially, required setting changes

**Requested features**

- Add support for Morocco coordinate system
- Add option to average readings and hold the result
- Add option to reduce coordinate display to 6 digits for emergency use
- Bring back previous features like degrees/minutes display and ability to edit messages


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Handy GPS free?

Handy GPS costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Tomstrails GPS UTM free?

Tomstrails GPS UTM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Handy GPS or Tomstrails GPS UTM?

Handy GPS is rated higher. Handy GPS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Tomstrails GPS UTM averages 4.8 from 1.6K ratings.

### Do Handy GPS or Tomstrails GPS UTM have ads?

Neither Handy GPS nor Tomstrails GPS UTM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Handy GPS or Tomstrails GPS UTM?

Handy GPS ships an update every 6 weeks, and Tomstrails GPS UTM every 6 weeks. Most recently, Handy GPS was updated on November 6, 2026 and Tomstrails GPS UTM on November 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*
