# Next Ascent vs ILCA Guidebook

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ILCA Guidebook at none against Next Ascent's 36. ILCA Guidebook also leads on ads (none vs shown). Next Ascent's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price, 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. ILCA Guidebook asks for nothing beyond the download.

Next Ascent ships an update every 2 months, ILCA Guidebook every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Next Ascent | ILCA Guidebook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-ascent/id893831661/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **7** | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 64 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Next Ascent, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/893831664) | [Nitzan Ben Ner](https://appshunter.io/developer/1637651207) |

## 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 |


### ILCA Guidebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ilca-guidebook/id1641007387)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Next Ascent free?

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

### Is ILCA Guidebook free?

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

### Do Next Ascent or ILCA Guidebook have ads?

Next Ascent shows ads; ILCA Guidebook does not.

### Which is updated more often, Next Ascent or ILCA Guidebook?

Next Ascent ships an update every 2 months, and ILCA Guidebook every 4 months. Most recently, Next Ascent was updated on September 3, 2026 and ILCA Guidebook on June 1, 2026.

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