Comparison

Topo Nomad vs Map Stretch

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

Head to head
About

Topo Nomad

Access and use high-resolution USGS topographical maps offline with GPS capabilities. Explore historical maps, import custom geospatial PDFs, and plan routes with distance measurement tools. Ideal for outdoor adventures and geographical exploration.

Highlights
  • Offline USGS topographical map downloads
  • Offline GPS location tracking
  • Import geospatial PDF maps
  • Dual mode ruler for distance measurement
  • Background map downloading
  • Geocode search for geographic features
  • GPS path recording
Features
Read full description

Download high resolution USGS topographical maps for offline GPS* use. Topo Nomad is designed for road trips, camping, hiking, exploration and geographical history. Map images are accurately center aligned regardless of datum and placed on top of Apple's map kit for easy referencing and intuitive touch navigation. This software utilizes the latest capabilities of IOS offering the highest performance with fast start up, map rotation, rendering and zoom with unbeatable details and undistorted resolution. Map downloads are dispatched in the background so you can continue using the app while new maps concurrently install. Topo Nomad indexes of over 250,000+ U.S. Geological Survey current and historical topographic maps describing the topography of every region and island territories of the United States of America. Historical versions date as far back as year 1884. Install a map quad by pressing and holding a point on the reference map and discover the USGS historical maps available at that coordinate and the unique names given to every quad by the cartographers.** The limits don't stop there with just USGS maps. Import "Geospatial PDF" maps from the web, iTunes and email. Many local and national park services offer PDF map downloads from their web sites which automatically install into the Topo Nomad app. And, if you reside outside the United States check with your government services for topographic and aeronautical sectional maps with embedded geospatial metadata.‡ Cannot find that map you downloaded but know where in the world it's located. Simply zoom out the reference map view and all the topo maps become a colorful violet and partially transparent so you can spot your map. Installed maps are managed in a table format which can be sorted by name, distance, and scale. Multiple versions of the same map can be stacked on top of one another and made visible or hidden using two finger swipes. Planning a hike somewhere and want to know the distance of your jaunt. Download the map and use the dual mode ruler to measure the path distance and know the answer to "how much farther?" Purchase a subscription for unlimited map downloading. A subscription stops ads and doesn't auto-renew. The first few map download are complementary.‡ Features: • No need for cellular service to use maps • GPS location on downloaded topo maps while offline • Find geographic features with geocode search • Track path GPS recording* • Route paths and distance • Dual mode ruler with orthographic line and path measuring • Full app usability while maps download in the background • Displays footprint grid and quadrangle names • Aligns all map datums to WGS84 GPS coordinates • Dynamic map stitching • Cropping of map margins for one big map grid • Automatic map download for your current location • Uses GPS location service to identify your location on a topo map • Miles, Feet, Kilometers, Meters, Nautical Miles units • MGRS, UTM and geodetic Latitude and Longitude decimal and minutes seconds coordinate display • Import maps downloaded from the USGS in zip and PDF file formats • Import Geospatial PDF map images via a the web, email attachment & iTunes • MSL elevation for GPS location • Waypoints with Augmented Reality finder • Email and SMS text waypoints, tracks and routes as GPX files with subscription purchase Not currently supported: geo-TIFF; PDF OCG Layers. Not all geospatial datums and metadata formats are supported, please email support with Geospatial PDF issues. * Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Location feature may not function on iPod and wifi-only iPad devices without GPS hardware. ** Not preloaded with maps. WiFi recommended. Downloading queue caps to around 36 maps. ‡ After a subscription period expires, advertisement may resume from usage of the import features.

About

Map Stretch

Overlay custom images onto interactive maps to navigate using your device's GPS and compass. Record, edit, and share your routes and drawings. Access hundreds of public maps from the National Park Service and other users.

Highlights
  • Overlay custom images onto interactive maps
  • Navigate with GPS and compass
  • Record, edit, and share routes
  • Access public National Park Service maps
  • Import/export maps in KML/KMZ formats
Features
Read full description

View hundreds of public maps from the National Park Service and other users. Can't find a map? Stretch your own image onto the interactive map, then use your compass and GPS to navigate with ease. Map Stretch features an easy to use interface with no hassles or hidden fees of any kind, EVER! Map Stretch now features GPS tracking to record your route. Tracks and drawings can be easily edited, saved and shared with others. A Quick Overlay Example: You are handed a brochure with a map highlighting interesting places to visit... With Map Stretch, you can: - Find that someone has already stretched and shared the map from your brochure and add it to your map with a single tap. OR - Snap a photo of the map in the brochure. - Stretch it to match the map on your phone. - Know exactly where you are (and which direction you are facing) on the brochure map at all times. Details: + Map Stretch is completely free and requires no login or registration. + Sharing your stretched photos is optional and is done anonymously. + Map Stretch Lines and Overlays can be imported and exported in Google Earth kml and kmz formats.

Screenshots

Topo Nomad3 screens
Map Stretch3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Map Stretch at none against Topo Nomad's 2. Map Stretch also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). Topo Nomad's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (100% vs 78%). On price, ads, 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. Topo Nomad sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Map Stretch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Topo Nomad holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Topo Nomad has 154 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Topo Nomad's written reviews are positive against 78% of Map Stretch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Topo Nomad ships an update every 3 months, Map Stretch every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Topo Nomad versus Map Stretch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTopo NomadMap Stretch
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (154 ratings) — better4.2 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings154 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDelcartes LLCWalk About Apps

Customer experience

Topo Nomad

All ratings154 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral3.9%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Map Stretch

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Topo Nomad

One-time2
  • 1 Year$5.99
  • Lifetime$23.99
None

Map Stretch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Topo Nomad free?
Topo Nomad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Map Stretch free?
Map Stretch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Topo Nomad or Map Stretch?
Topo Nomad is rated higher. Topo Nomad averages 4.6 out of 5 from 154 ratings, while Map Stretch averages 4.2 from 10 ratings.
Do Topo Nomad or Map Stretch have ads?
Neither Topo Nomad nor Map Stretch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Topo Nomad or Map Stretch?
Topo Nomad ships an update every 3 months, and Map Stretch every 5 days. Most recently, Topo Nomad was updated on September 11, 2026 and Map Stretch on June 1, 2026.

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