RFSBuddy vs GPS Format Converter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | RFSBuddy | GPS Format Converter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 1.0 (2 ratings) | 4.5 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews | 81.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #191 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Volunteer Technology Services Australia Ltd | Bitwire Technologies Limited |
Customer experience
RFSBuddy
GPS Format Converter
In-app purchases
RFSBuddy
- Annual Bronze (auto-renew)$1.491 Year
GPS Format Converter
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is RFSBuddy free?
Is GPS Format Converter free?
Which has better reviews, RFSBuddy or GPS Format Converter?
Do RFSBuddy or GPS Format Converter have ads?
Which is updated more often, RFSBuddy or GPS Format Converter?
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