Comparison

Next Ascent vs RRC

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

Head to head

Next Ascent

Rock Climbing App

Free

⚽ Sports

★ 4.08 ratingsView app →

RRC

RedRiverClimbing.com

Free

⚽ Sports

★ 4.6129 ratingsView app →

About

Next Ascent

Discover climbing destinations worldwide with detailed maps, GPS navigation, and high-definition topos. Access comprehensive route descriptions, area history, and first ascent information for crags and bouldering spots. Download complete guidebooks for popular climbing areas.

Highlights

Real-time maps and GPS navigation
High-definition topos and pictures
Detailed route descriptions
Crag and bouldering area information
Downloadable guidebooks
Route and area history
First ascent information

Features

Read full description

Next Ascent Guidebooks, rock climbing guidebook app is the most comprehensive rock climbing and bouldering app available. Real-time maps, GPS, and navigation guide you to crags all over the world. Hi-def topos, pictures, and the most detailed route descriptions available are what sets this app apart from the rest. Download complete guidebooks for the most popular climbing destinations. This rock climbing app will get you the most information you can find on local crags, bouldering areas, and climbing destinations. Expect to see arial drone topos, route and area history, first ascent information, and detailed descriptions of every route. End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

RRC

Discover climbing routes and bouldering problems across Kentucky's renowned climbing destinations. This app provides a comprehensive guide to areas like the Red River Gorge and Foxtown Boulders, helping climbers find their next adventure.

Highlights

Climbing area guide
Red River Gorge routes
Foxtown Boulders problems
Kentucky climbing information

Features

Read full description

A comprehensive guide for various climbing areas in Kentucky including the Red River Gorge and Foxtown Boulders

Screenshots

Next Ascent4 screens

RRC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RRC at 4.6 against Next Ascent's 4.0. RRC also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 36) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, device support and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. Next Ascent sells 36 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. RRC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RRC holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RRC has 129 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Next Ascent's written reviews are positive against 47% of RRC's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Next Ascent ships an update every 2 months, RRC weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level

Next Ascent versus RRC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter	Next Ascent	RRC
Price	Free	Free
Rating	4.0 (8 ratings)	4.6 (129 ratings) — better
Positive reviews	50.0% of reviews — better	46.7% of reviews
Number of ratings	8	129 — better
Update frequency	Every 2 months	Weekly — better
Ads	Yes	No — better
In-app purchases	Yes	No — better
Monetization	Free with in-app purchases	Free — better
Devices	iPhone, iPad, iPod — better	iPhone, iPad
Requires iOS	15.1 — better	16.6
Further details — not scored
Size	64 MB	48 MB
Age rating	12+	9+
Developer	Next Ascent, LLC	RAY ELLINGTON