SunCalc.net vs Topo Maps US
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SunCalc.net
This application provides real-time information about sunrise and sunset times. It also includes a compass, world time display, and weather forecasts, making it a comprehensive tool for understanding solar events and local conditions.
- Sunrise and sunset times
- Integrated compass
- World time display
- Weather forecasts
- Time zone awareness
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SunCalc.net on your iPhone! Know the sunset time. Simple tool for everyone who wants to know when and where sun rises or goes down. Combined with compass and time, and weather. Knows time zones and shows time word wide - probably nicest tool to know the time at some place at the Earth, so far :)
Topo Maps US
Access and download detailed topographic maps of the United States for offline use. Track your location, mark waypoints, and record your routes for outdoor activities. Navigate with direction arrows and measure distances on the map.
- Download US topographic maps
- Offline map viewing
- GPS location tracking
- Add and import waypoints (flags)
- Import and share GPX/LOC files
- Record and share trails
- Elevation profile charts
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Download and view topographic maps covering the United States. Topographic maps are useful for recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing, mountain biking, geocaching, and exploring. MAPS Choose from 2 map sources: USGS standard topographic or USGS hybrid topographic. OFFLINE Download maps for areas of interest to view them later when you don't have Internet access or you don't want to use cell data. TRACKING Use location tracking to show where you are on the map, your elevation, and the accuracy of the GPS signal. FLAGS Flags are included with map downloads. Add flags (waypoints) to the map to mark your current location or other locations. Import flags from other sources using GPX files and geocache LOC files. Share flags with others using email or AirDrop. Organize your flag types by color, for example, geocaches, trailheads, and summits. TRAILS Trails are included with map downloads. Import trails (tracks) using GPX files you find on the Internet or from your personal GPS track collection. Share trails with others using email or AirDrop. Organize your trail types by color, for example, mountain bike trails, hiking trails, and OHV trails. TRAIL RECORDING Record your own trails to show where you've been on the map, follow them later, and share with others. ELEVATION PROFILE Recorded trails include an elevation profile (distance/elevation chart). NAVIGATION Navigate to a flag by following the direction arrow that uses your compass heading. Useful for geocaching. MEASURE Measure the distance between points on the map. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: SunCalc.net at free against Topo Maps US's paid. SunCalc.net also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). Topo Maps US's advantage is ratings volume (210 vs 63). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SunCalc.net holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 63 and 210 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 88% and 88% positive.
SunCalc.net ships an update every 6 weeks, Topo Maps US every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SunCalc.net | Topo Maps US |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (63 ratings) — better | 4.4 (210 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 88.1% of reviews — better | 87.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 63 | 210 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oleg Shanyuk | DC Cloud Apps, LLC |
Customer experience
SunCalc.net
Topo Maps US
User reviews
SunCalc.net
From 63 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Simple and practical
- 💡 Well-designed interface
- 🎯 Useful for planning outdoor activities
- 📸 Great for photographers
- 🌍 Accurate sun position for any location
Room to improve
- 🐛 Sun angle disappears when changing date
- 🗺️ Google Maps not always current
- 🧭 Compass issues
- ⏳ Cannot change time, only date
- 📍 Location search limitations
Topo Maps US
From 210 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Intuitive and simple user interface
- 📱 Works completely offline with downloaded maps
- 💰 Free app with no subscriptions or ads
- 🗺️ High-quality USGS topographic maps
- 📍 Accurate GPS location tracking
Room to improve
- 🐛 White/gray blocks appearing on offline maps
- 🔋 High battery drain during route recording
- ❌ Limited color options for flags (only red)
- ⚠️ Route recording stops unexpectedly
- 🔍 No search functionality for trails/landmarks
Bugs and requests
SunCalc.net
Reported bugs
8 issues- Sun angle disappears when changing date
- Compass is not accurate
- App crashes on older iOS versions
- App crashes right after launch
- Crashes at start
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Time zone error
- Compass sign not accessible
- Button to return map to North Up is unavailable
Requested features
17 requests- Display altitude and azimuth of the sun
- Ability to set a specific time, not just current time
- Option for Apple Maps or Open Source Maps
- Compass feature for orientation
- Add moon information
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Apple Watch version
- Add sun attitude/angle in real time
- Display hours/minutes of sunlight for the day
- Add a moon app or functionality
- Include twilight times
- Add azimuth and angle of the pole star
- Include a solar clock/sundial design calculator
- Fix button to return map to North Up
- Add sun arc and solar noon
- Option to switch to metric units
- Satellite imagery map mode
- iPad app
Topo Maps US
Reported bugs
8 issues- White and gray blocks appearing on downloaded offline maps
- Route recording stops unexpectedly mid-hike
- High battery drain during route tracking
- GPX file import issues in iOS 13+
- Map display issues near borders
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Flags cluttering the view
- Inconsistent zoom functionality
- Route tracking drops without saving
Requested features
18 requests- Pause/resume tracking during hikes
- Search feature for trails and landmarks
- Apple Watch app support
- CarPlay integration
- Slope shading visualization
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- Ability to select and download multiple tiles at once
- Background map downloading
- Map transfer between devices
- iCloud backup for GPS tracks
- Older USGS topographic map versions
- Time stamps in GPX export for fitness tracking
- Quadrangle identification display
- Built-in compass with map orientation
- Laptop map manager for easier updates
- Community Q&A section
- Multiple color options for waypoints
- Auto-save feature for long recordings
- Larger downloadable map areas
In-app purchases
SunCalc.net
No in-app purchases
Topo Maps US
No in-app purchases









