# Next Ascent vs RRC

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Next Ascent | RRC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-ascent/id893831661/reviews) | **[4.6 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rrc/id1288631104/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **129** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 46.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 64 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Next Ascent, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/893831664) | [RAY ELLINGTON](https://appshunter.io/developer/1288631103) |

## What reviewers say

### Next Ascent

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-ascent/id893831661)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (36)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Next Ascent Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Next Ascent Pro Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Free Traxx Guide | Free | one-time |
| Free Eliot Creek Guide | Free | one-time |
| Larch Mt Bouldering | $3.99 | one-time |
| Climbing & Bouldering Montdale | $5.99 | one-time |
| Allentown Bouldering Guide | $5.99 | one-time |
| Whiskey Springs Bouldering | $5.99 | one-time |
| Chickies Rock Routes Guide | $5.99 | one-time |
| Mid Valley Guidebook | $5.99 | one-time |
| French's Dome Guide | $6.99 | one-time |
| Mountainside Park Bouldering | $6.99 | one-time |
| Forest City Bouldering Guide | $6.99 | one-time |
| Allamuchy Climbing Guidebook | $6.99 | one-time |
| Lost City & Boulder Mt, OR | $7.99 | one-time |
| Ozone Guidebook | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gunks: Near Trapps | $9.99 | one-time |
| Northern NJ Bouldering | $9.99 | one-time |
| Allamuchy Guidebook | $9.99 | one-time |
| The Garden Bouldering Guide | $9.99 | one-time |
| Allentown Bouldering Guidebook | $9.99 | one-time |
| Broughton Bluff Climbing Guide | $9.99 | one-time |
| Route 26 Crags Guidebook | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lost Lake Bouldering Guidebook | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pocono Bouldering Guide | $12.99 | one-time |
| Peter's Kill Climbing Guide | $12.99 | one-time |
| Mocanaqua Climbing Guidebook | $12.99 | one-time |
| Boxcar Rocks | $12.99 | one-time |
| Mocanaqua Bouldering Guidebook | $12.99 | one-time |
| Carver Bouldering Guidebook | $12.99 | one-time |
| Smith Rock Climbing Guide | $14.99 | one-time |
| Safe Harbor Climbing Guidebook | $14.99 | one-time |
| Sourland & Somerset | $14.99 | one-time |
| Swan Falls Bouldering Guide | $14.99 | one-time |
| Sugarloaf Climbing Guidebook | $17.99 | one-time |
| Eldorado Canyon Climbing Guide | $17.99 | one-time |


### RRC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rrc/id1288631104)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Next Ascent free?

Next Ascent is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is RRC free?

RRC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Next Ascent or RRC?

RRC is rated higher. Next Ascent averages 4.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while RRC averages 4.6 from 129 ratings.

### Do Next Ascent or RRC have ads?

Next Ascent shows ads; RRC does not.

### Which is updated more often, Next Ascent or RRC?

Next Ascent ships an update every 2 months, and RRC weekly. Most recently, Next Ascent was updated on October 24, 2026 and RRC on October 20, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*