# Private Tracker vs Open GPX Tracker

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Open GPX Tracker at none against Private Tracker's 3. Open GPX Tracker also leads on ratings volume (131 vs 16) and device support (4 vs 2). Private Tracker's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Private Tracker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Open GPX Tracker asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Private Tracker against 4.3 for Open GPX Tracker. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Open GPX Tracker has 131 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of Private Tracker's written reviews are positive against 67% of Open GPX Tracker's.

Private Tracker ships an update every 3 weeks, Open GPX Tracker every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Private Tracker | Open GPX Tracker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-tracker/id704921899/reviews) | **[4.3 (131 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-gpx-tracker/id984503772/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **131** |
| Positive reviews | **74.2% of reviews** | 67.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 2 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [64 Characters](https://appshunter.io/developer/406825481) | [Juan Manuel Merlos](https://appshunter.io/developer/984503771) |

## What reviewers say

### Private Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-tracker/id704921899)

This minimalist GPS tracker offers a private and battery-efficient way to record your journeys. It utilizes OpenStreetMap for detailed mapping and allows GPX export. A subscription unlocks full map detail and export capabilities.

**Highlights:** Private GPS tracking, High-resolution OpenStreetMap, GPX export, Battery efficient, No registration required, Own OpenStreetMap servers

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Track Export | $6.99 | one-time |


### Open GPX Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-gpx-tracker/id984503772)

Record GPS tracks with waypoints and offline maps. This app offers privacy, no ads, and no in-app purchases. Ideal for travel, hiking, biking, and creating GPX data for mapping or app development.

**Highlights:** Create GPS traces with waypoints, Offline map support, Apple Watch App support, Share and send GPX files, Multiple map sources, Add and edit waypoints

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple, intuitive, and clean user interface
- 💰 Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases
- 📍 Accurate GPS tracking and waypoint creation
- ⌚ Apple Watch integration for convenient tracking
- 🔋 Lightweight and battery-efficient operation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Files fail to save without error notification
- 🐛 App crashes when opening saved files folder
- 🐛 Data loss after app updates or crashes
- 🐛 Gaps in GPS recording data
- 🐛 App crashes when opening GPX files after inactivity

**Reported bugs**

- File save fails silently with long filenames or filepaths
- App crashes when accessing files folder from main screen
- GPX files lost after app updates or reinstallation
- Inconsistent file saving (fails approximately 1/3 of the time)
- App crashes when trying to open GPX files after period of inactivity

**Requested features**

- Auto-save functionality for tracking sessions
- Persistent notification when recording is active
- Ability to edit tracks before exporting
- Import custom geo-referenced map images
- Adjustable route color and line thickness


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Private Tracker free?

Private Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Open GPX Tracker free?

Open GPX Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Private Tracker or Open GPX Tracker?

Open GPX Tracker is rated higher. Private Tracker averages 4.2 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Open GPX Tracker averages 4.3 from 131 ratings.

### Do Private Tracker or Open GPX Tracker have ads?

Neither Private Tracker nor Open GPX Tracker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Private Tracker or Open GPX Tracker?

Private Tracker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Open GPX Tracker every 5 months. Most recently, Private Tracker was updated on September 23, 2026 and Open GPX Tracker on September 21, 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.*