Comparison

RFSBuddy vs GPS Format Converter

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

RFSBuddy

This app provides essential GPS mapping and field note-taking tools for firefighters and anyone needing location services. It works offline, converts GPS coordinates into standard formats, and allows for easy sharing of locations and points of interest.

Highlights
  • Offline GPS functionality
  • Multiple GPS coordinate formats
  • Field notes with location icons
  • Grid reference to Lat/Long conversion
  • Location sharing via email
  • Movement tracking
  • Bearing tool for triangulation
Features
Read full description

GPS Mapping Co-ordinates - Record & Share, Field Notes, Movement Tracking & Handbook FEATURES • RFS Buddy works anywhere • The RFS Buddy app does not need wifi or any phone carrier’s reception to work. • RFS Buddy works directly from the iPhone’s internal GPS. • Easily share your location with others via email. (Requires subscription) • Simple "one click" to start tracking your movement. (Requires subscription) • "Add Bearing" tool with camera zoom. With 2 or more Bearings you can triangulate the position of a point of interest in the distance, e.g. Smoke Sighting. Developed to assist Australian volunteer Bushfire Fighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), and also anyone that need GPS location services. RFS Buddy translates your GPS location into the main RFS MGRS standard, including the LPI Map name and number. Also includes a number of other formats, and a Fire-ground Field Notes feature to record reference points of interest such as hazards, smoke etc. GPS CO-ORDINATES IN 5 FORMATS 1. RFS Mapping The Standard MGRS format used to match the RFS maps used in the field. Includes: - Full RFS Grid Reference (100m). - Short RFS Grid Reference - LPI Map Name, Reference Number & Scale - GPS Accuracy 2. Aviation 3. Standard GPS 4. Degrees, Minutes, Seconds 5. Easting Northing 6. What3Words (NEW) FIELD NOTES Name and record your current position in a list that (on swipe right) shows all 5 GPS formats. - Ability to Select Location Reference Type Icon. - Text to Convert for Location feature. Convert a Grid Reference into Lat-Long or Lat-Long into Grid easily, quickly and accurately – and immediately check it on the included map for confirmation. - Share / Publish location to your preferred setting of either State, District or Brigade. (required in-app subscription) - Saved Locations now expand to show all Lat/Long formats plus map. For more information, see Apple's standard Terms of use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ and our Privacy Policy https://vtsa.org.au/rfsbuddy-privacy-policy/

About

GPS Format Converter

Easily convert GPS coordinates between Degrees, Minutes, Seconds, Decimal Minutes, Decimal Degrees, and UTM formats. Share your current location or copy converted coordinates to the clipboard. Open locations directly in popular map applications.

Highlights
  • Convert between DMS, DMM, DD, and UTM
  • Get current location in all formats
  • Share location with one click
  • Copy coordinates to clipboard
  • Open coordinates in Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

EASILY AND QUICKLY convert between three different GPS coordinate formats and UTM: - Degrees, Minutes and Seconds DDD° MM' SS.SSS" - Degrees and Decimal Minutes DDD° MM.MMMMM' - Decimal Degrees DDD.DDDDDDD° - Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone, Easting, Northing SHARE your location with a click of a button. EASILY copy each format to the clipboard. Get your current location in all formats with a click of a button. Open up the coordinates in Apple Maps, Google Maps or Waze.

Screenshots

RFSBuddy4 screens
GPS Format Converter3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RFSBuddy at Free against GPS Format Converter's $0.99. RFSBuddy also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). GPS Format Converter's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 1.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

RFSBuddy is free to download; GPS Format Converter costs $0.99 up front. RFSBuddy sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.49 per year. GPS Format Converter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GPS Format Converter holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of RFSBuddy's written reviews are positive against 81% of GPS Format Converter's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RFSBuddy ships an update every 2 months, GPS Format Converter every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
RFSBuddy versus GPS Format Converter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRFSBuddyGPS Format Converter
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating1.0 (2 ratings)4.5 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews81.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings26 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#191 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVolunteer Technology Services Australia LtdBitwire Technologies Limited

Customer experience

RFSBuddy

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral9.1%
Negative27.3%

GPS Format Converter

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RFSBuddy

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Bronze (auto-renew)$1.491 Year
None

GPS Format Converter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RFSBuddy free?
RFSBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GPS Format Converter free?
GPS Format Converter costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RFSBuddy or GPS Format Converter?
GPS Format Converter is rated higher. RFSBuddy averages 1.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while GPS Format Converter averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.
Do RFSBuddy or GPS Format Converter have ads?
Neither RFSBuddy nor GPS Format Converter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RFSBuddy or GPS Format Converter?
RFSBuddy ships an update every 2 months, and GPS Format Converter every 3 months. Most recently, RFSBuddy was updated on November 5, 2026 and GPS Format Converter on November 11, 2026.

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