Comparison

Next Ascent vs Gunks Author

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

Head to head
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

Gunks Author

Easily create and update rock climbing guidebooks directly from your device. Record climbing route details, capture photos, draw lines, and log GPS coordinates while at the climbing site. The app offers a WYSIWYG editor and supports automatic light and dark modes.

Highlights
  • Record climbing route details
  • Capture photos and draw lines
  • Collect GPS coordinates
  • WYSIWYG editor
  • Automatic light/dark mode support
  • Easy updates for route changes
Features
Read full description

Authoring a rock climbing guidebook has never been this easy. Record details, take photos, draw lines, and collect GPS coordinates while at the crag. Compile the information in a What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get format, and easily update it as projects get sent or holds break. Both light and dark modes are supported automatically, based on your device's setting.

Screenshots

Next Ascent4 screens
Gunks Author4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Gunks Author at 100% against Next Ascent's 50%. Gunks Author also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, ratings volume 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

Both are free to download. Next Ascent sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Gunks Author asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gunks Author holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Next Ascent's written reviews are positive against 100% of Gunks Author's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Next Ascent versus Gunks Author: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNext AscentGunks Author
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (8 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.112.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB23 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperNext Ascent, LLCDirtbag Developers, Inc

Customer experience

Next Ascent

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Gunks Author

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Next Ascent

Subscriptions2
  • Next Ascent Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Next Ascent Pro Annual$59.991 Year
One-time8
  • FE Walter Guidebook$9.99
  • The Garden Bouldering Guide$9.99
  • Mocanaqua Climbing Guidebook$12.99
Show 5 more
  • Mocanaqua Bouldering Guidebook$12.99
  • Carver Bouldering Guidebook$12.99
  • Smith Rock Climbing Guide$14.99
  • Swan Falls Bouldering Guide$14.99
  • Sugarloaf Climbing Guidebook$17.99
None

Gunks Author

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Next Ascent free?
Next Ascent is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gunks Author free?
Gunks Author is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Next Ascent or Gunks Author?
Gunks Author is rated higher. Next Ascent averages 4.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Gunks Author averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Next Ascent or Gunks Author have ads?
Next Ascent shows ads; Gunks Author does not.

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