Gemma GPS vs Tomstrails GPS UTM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Gemma GPS
Navigate the outdoors with a digital compass that conserves battery. Save locations and get guided back to them with a simple arrow. Ideal for travelers, hikers, sailors, and geocachers who venture off the beaten path.
- Digital compass
- Battery saving mode
- Save locations
- Night vision mode
- Navigation guidance
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Precision GPS waypoint navigation for professionals. Capture locations. Convert coordinates. Navigate back. FEATURES: • Save waypoints with geodetic precision • Six coordinate formats: Decimal, DDM, DMS, UTM, MGRS, Maidenhead • Compass navigation with bearing and distance • Organize with folders and routes • Import and export GPX files • Full JSON backup and restore • Night vision mode for dark adaptation • No ads, no tracking COORDINATE FORMATS: • Decimal Degrees (37.7749°) • Degrees Decimal Minutes (37° 46.497' N) • Degrees-Minutes-Seconds (37°46'29.7"N) • UTM (10S 551309 4177447) • MGRS (10SEG 51309 77447) • Maidenhead Grid (CM87ss) Perfect for search and rescue, surveying, geocaching, amateur radio, aviation, marine navigation, and anyone who needs real coordinates. Every feature is free. Optional support subscriptions help fund continued development. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Tomstrails GPS UTM
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.
- 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
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GPS UTM displays a fast and accurate UTM grid reference. Locate your position on topographic maps. GPS UTM supports many of the regional datums used around the world including ED50. ∙ No phone signal required - works in the most remote locations. ∙ 1 metre, 10 metre and 100 metre formats. ∙ Paste your coordinate into other apps or share with other people. ∙ A large, clear, high contrast display ensures you can easily read your position in any light conditions. ∙ Optimal battery use based on speed of travel and current charge level ensures all day use. ∙ No Adverts. GPS UTM - know where you are.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tomstrails GPS UTM at none against Gemma GPS's 2. Tomstrails GPS UTM also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 1). Gemma GPS's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Gemma GPS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $199.99 per year. Tomstrails GPS UTM asks for nothing beyond the download.
Gemma GPS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tomstrails GPS UTM has 1.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Gemma GPS's written reviews are positive against 84% of Tomstrails GPS UTM's.
Gemma GPS ships an update every 2 months, Tomstrails GPS UTM every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Gemma GPS | Tomstrails GPS UTM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.8 (1.6K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 83.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Patrick Tudor | Tomstrails.com |
Customer experience
Gemma GPS
Tomstrails GPS UTM
Bugs and requests
Gemma GPS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Tomstrails GPS UTM
Reported bugs
2 issues- Stopped working after iOS update
- UTM grids were off initially, required setting changes
Requested features
4 requests- 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
In-app purchases
Gemma GPS
- Gemma GPS Pro Support$199.991 Year
- Gemma GPS Enterprise Support$499.991 Year
Tomstrails GPS UTM
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Gemma GPS free?
Is Tomstrails GPS UTM free?
Which has better reviews, Gemma GPS or Tomstrails GPS UTM?
Do Gemma GPS or Tomstrails GPS UTM have ads?
Which is updated more often, Gemma GPS or Tomstrails GPS UTM?
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