Next Ascent vs Gunks Author
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
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.
- Record climbing route details
- Capture photos and draw lines
- Collect GPS coordinates
- WYSIWYG editor
- Automatic light/dark mode support
- Easy updates for route changes
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | Next Ascent | Gunks Author |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 64 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Next Ascent, LLC | Dirtbag Developers, Inc |
Customer experience
Next Ascent
Gunks Author
In-app purchases
Next Ascent
- Next Ascent Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
- Next Ascent Pro Annual$59.991 Year
- FE Walter Guidebook$9.99
- The Garden Bouldering Guide$9.99
- Mocanaqua Climbing Guidebook$12.99
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- 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
Gunks Author
No in-app purchases









