Comparison

FireMapper vs Ember Map

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

Head to head
About

FireMapper

This app allows firefighters to quickly create and export incident maps, including bushfire maps with specialized symbols. It supports offline map creation and data collection, with multiple export formats like GPX, KML, CSV, and JPG.

Highlights
  • Offline map creation and data collection
  • Bushfire and incident mapping with specialized symbols
  • Export maps in GPX, KML, CSV, and JPG formats
  • Geo-referenced photo capture with location and bearing
  • Background GPS recording
  • Multiple map layer options (satellite, terrain, topographic)
Read full description

FireMapper is designed for firefighters for quickly generating bushfire and other incident maps. The applications provides a simple interface for drawing maps and exporting via Email. Maps are stored on the local device and can be created or used offline. No internet connection is required for collecting data. FACEBOOK & SUPPORT: Like us on Facebook to be notified of future updates and developments. http://www.facebook.com/FireMapperApp MAP EXPORT FORMATS: Multiple points can be drawn on the map and exported in the same email. The map data can be exported as: * GPX (suitable for ArcGIS, MapDesk and other popular GIS products, QGIS) * KML (suitable for Google Maps & Google Earth) * CSV (suitable for Microsoft Excel & Google Spreadsheets) * JPG (photo of the map) You can also send points & lines as a text message. GPS CAMERA: Take geo-referenced photos and display the location and bearing on the map. GPS RECORDING: FireMapper supports GPS recording in the background. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. BUSHFIRE SYMBOLS: This version contains bush firefighting symbols that are commonly used in Australia, USA & Canada with support for: * National All Hazards Symbology Set * USA Interagency Wildfire Point Symbols Including the following icons: Hydrant, Water Point, Fire Origin, Spot Fire, Aerial Ignition, Hotspot, Defendable/Not Defendable Asset, Threatened Asset, Indigenous Site, Historic Site, Hazmat,Flora/Fauna, Airbase, Helibase, Helibase,Smoker Standing/Down,Tree Down, Medical, Mobile Weather Station, Portable Communications, Access Point, Control Point, Road Closure, RAFT, Drop Zone, Assembly area, Staging area, Base camp, Control Centre, Divisonal/Sector Command, Evacuation Area/Center, Escape Route, Refuge area, Property damage and more.... LOCATION FORMATS: -Latitude/Longitude (Decimal Degrees and Degree Minutes/Aviation) - UTM Coordinates - 1:25 000, 1:50 000 & 1:100 000 map sheet references - UBD Map References (Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth) INTEGRATED SEARCH: Search by address, suburb, latitude/longitude, utm coordinates, grid references, place name, point type and more. OFFLINE SUPPORT: Maps can be created offline without an internet connection. Map layers are cached for offline support MULTIPLE MAP LAYERS: - Standard - Satellite/Hybrid - Terrain/Topographic - US Topographic - Australian Topographic - NZ Topographic and more....

About

Ember Map

This app provides bushfire fighters with advanced mapping and navigation tools for the fireground. It offers real-time satellite hotspots, GPS tracking, topographic maps, and weather information to enhance situational awareness and planning.

Highlights
  • Real-time satellite hotspots
  • GPS location tracking
  • Topographic maps
  • Fire behavior calculators
  • Offline map caching
  • Shared maps and team management
  • Weather viewer
Features
Read full description

Ember Map is an operational mapping, navigation and situational-awareness app built for firefighters, emergency-service teams and field professionals. From the fireground to the coordination desk, Ember Map helps teams build and share a common operational picture. View current incident information, work with specialist fire and mapping layers, record observations, track movement, capture geotagged photos, collaborate on shared maps and export your work for briefing, planning and handover. FIELD MAPPING & NAVIGATION • Terrain, street and satellite basemaps, plus regional overlays. • Import georeferenced PDF maps for local use. • Add points, labels, lines, polygons and circles. • Measure distance, perimeter, area and radius. • Search and work with latitude/longitude, MGRS and grid references. • Use compass navigation with live bearing and distance guidance. • Open directions to incidents, map items and photos in supported navigation apps. FIRE & INCIDENT AWARENESS • View supported bushfire and wildfire incident feeds. • Display Australian and worldwide satellite hotspot layers. • Check weather, wind, rainfall and temperature information. • Access McArthur Mk5 and CSIRO grass fire calculations. • Use AAHS, NWCG and NSW RFS operational symbology. • Access optional NSW RFS operational layers when available and authorised. GPS TRACKING & FIELD CAPTURE • Record GPS tracks in the background and save routes to the map. • Capture geotagged photos with camera direction. • Add notes and operational context to map objects and photos. • Keep supported field work available locally when connectivity is limited. SHARED MAPS & TEAM COORDINATION Create or join shared operational maps and collaborate using Owner, Editor and Viewer roles. • Share maps through invite links, codes and QR codes. • Organise users into teams and grant access to whole groups. • Share your current location, callsign or display name and vehicle type. • View active shared locations and historical tracks. • Continue working with downloaded shared maps during poor connectivity, with supported edits synchronising when service returns. • Archive completed maps into a read-only state for later review and export. IMPORT, EXPORT & HANDOVER • Import KML and GPX data on mobile. • Export private map items to KML or GPX. • Export shared maps to KML, GeoJSON, Shapefile and PDF. • Export field photos as PDF reports or ZIP packages. • Use the Ember Map web dashboard and browser viewer to review maps, manage access, inspect tracks, import GIS data and create print-ready maps and GeoPDFs. EMBER MAP PRO Ember Map Pro unlocks additional capabilities, expanded content allowances, selected tracking, mapping, overlay, export and integration features, and an ad-free experience. Ember Map Pro is available as an annual auto-renewing subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple account settings. AVAILABILITY Some features require internet access, third-party services, regional data availability, credentials or Ember Map Pro. Offline capability applies to supported downloaded maps, imported GeoPDFs, cached map data and locally saved field edits; not every map layer or online service is available offline. Ember Map is not associated with or endorsed by the NSW Rural Fire Service. SUPPORT support@reddirtsolutions.com.au Website: https://embermap.app Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedDirtSolutions Terms of Use: https://embermap.app/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://embermap.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

FireMapper4 screens
Ember Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ember Map at Free against FireMapper's $22.99. Ember Map also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). FireMapper's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). On 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

Ember Map is free to download; FireMapper costs $22.99 up front. Ember Map sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. FireMapper asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FireMapper ships an update every 3 weeks, Ember Map every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 2 level
FireMapper versus Ember Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFireMapperEmber Map
Price$22.99Free — better
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB88 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFire Front Solutions Pty LtdJarred Casley

Customer experience

FireMapper

Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%

Ember Map

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

FireMapper

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Ember Map

Subscriptions2
  • Ember Map Pro - Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Ember Map Pro - Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is FireMapper free?
FireMapper costs $22.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ember Map free?
Ember Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FireMapper or Ember Map have ads?
Neither FireMapper nor Ember Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FireMapper or Ember Map?
FireMapper ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ember Map every 5 days. Most recently, FireMapper was updated on November 1, 2026 and Ember Map on November 3, 2026.

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