Comparison

Mapstr vs Orma Guides

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

Head to head
About

Mapstr

Save and organize all your favorite places worldwide, from restaurants to hidden gems. Discover new spots through recommendations from friends and trusted sources, and easily share your own curated maps.

Highlights
  • One-tap place saving
  • Unlimited color and tag organization
  • Import existing map lists
  • Personal notes, ratings, and photos
  • Follow trusted users and influencers
  • Shareable map links
  • Private by default
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Never lose a place – always know where to go. Mapstr allows you to save every spot you love anywhere in the world and shows trusted recommendations from friends, pros and influencers, right when you need them. —— A STORY YOU KNOW —— You spot an incredible bakery, hear rave reviews about a hidden jazz bar, promise you’ll remember… and two weeks later it’s gone. Screenshots multiply, notes pile up, Google stars blur together, anonymous reviews feel useless. Mapstr ends the chaos: one tap to save, tag, colour-code and—when friends ask—share a link they can open in any browser, no app required. —— SAVE, ORGANISE, (RE)DISCOVER —— * One-tap pins for cafés, shops, hikes—whatever catches your eye * Unlimited colours & tags to surface “Sushi”, “Sunset spot”, “For a date”, etc. in seconds * Import Google Maps, CSV or KML lists - if you don’t want to start from zero * Personal notes, ratings and photos; mark places “To try” or “Tried” to track memories * Follow the voices you trust: friends, favourite chefs, magazines, local creators * Merge their maps with yours to uncover hidden gems in 190 + countries * Share your map with a simple link, viewable in any browser, no app needed * Full control: flip your entire map to private, or hide individual pins on your public map * Private by default: your notes, ratings and pictures are only visible to your followers * Custom places you create (like this cute secret beach) stay only on your map and never enter mapstr’s global database * 100 % EU servers, GDPR-first, zero ad-tracking —— MAPSTR PLUS — 7-DAY FREE TRIAL, CANCEL ANYTIME —— Unlock extra power for map addicts and frequent travellers: * Unlimited places * Bulk edits for lightning-fast management * Smart Search: AI suggestions by mood, budget or diet to find any spot you want in the world * Real-time table filter: see restaurants with free tables for your date, time and party size, then book in two taps * Visits journal to relive every trip or every meal * Proximity alerts so you never walk past a saved gem again * Multi-map overlay for instant recs from the maps you follow * AI matching algorithm to get 100% personalized recommendations tailored on your tastes * Desktop web version for big-screen planning * Invitations to soft openings and special events (Paris-only for now) —— WHY MAPSTR? —— * Memory saver: pins replace screenshots and scattered notes forever * Personal compass: maps mirror your unique taste, not algorithmic hype * Trusted network: no anonymous reviews—only voices you choose * Fair freemium: core features stay free; go even further with personalized recommendations and map management with mapstr plus * Built in Europe: GDPR compliant, EU servers, no ads, no data sales —— PRIVACY & SUPPORT —— We never sell your data. Ever. Need help or have an idea? Email hello@mapstr.com—real humans answer fast. Download Mapstr today and defeat address amnesia while discovering new places from the people who matter to you most.

About

Orma Guides

Features
Read full description

Improve cities while exploring them! ORMA Guides creates travel guides for discovering the best impact-driven places a city offers. Head off the beaten path to explore restaurants, shops, and hotels that support their local communities. Just by visiting them, you will leave the city better than you found it! Welcome to the ultimate travel guide that will change how you explore European cities. Why ORMA? Are you tired of tourist traps, long lines at the same sites and overcrowded streets in neighbourhoods that can’t handle the influx? We're here to change that, making your trips worthwhile and impactful. ORMA Guides suggests attractions and brands directly involved in improving their cities by giving back part of their earnings to local non-profit projects, hiring disadvantaged people or sourcing food from community gardens. They are genuine shops run by locals, often on non-touristic paths. ORMA Guides will offer a fun and responsible way to explore cities, and you will get the most out of your stay without damaging the soul of your destination. What You'll Find ORMA is your gateway to discovering hidden gems, indulging in delicious local cuisine, supporting independent shops, and participating in impactful activities. Our curated guides include places to eat and drink, cozy stays, off-the-beaten-path wonders, escapes from the urban jungle, and unforgettable tours. Our Guiding Principles ORMA is all about making mindful choices. We curate our guides based on inclusivity, cultural richness, support for the local economy, authentic craftsmanship, community building, non-profit commitment, zero-waste practices, ethical supply chains, urban greenery, sustainable mobility, and environmental and social education. These aren't just categories; they're our guiding principles! Unlock Premium Perks Upgrade to ORMA Plus to make your travel experience even more impactful! With Plus, you can enjoy up to 10% off at restaurants, bars, hostels, and local shops across all cities. Download all city guides on Google Maps to explore even without Wi-Fi. Dive deep into inspiring stories and interviews with local activity owners. Plus, with your subscription, you're giving back to our cities and the planet — 1% of ORMA's earnings from subscriptions goes to charity via 1%fortheplanet.org. Let's Explore Responsibly ORMA isn't just an app; it's a movement. We're committed to fostering sustainable travel, one city at a time. By downloading ORMA, you're becoming part of a global community that values responsible exploration. Together, we're turning the page on over-tourism and giving a new life to new sides of cities. It's time to explore with purpose and make every adventure count! Join us! See the terms and conditions of service at https://www.ormaguides.com/tc

Screenshots

Mapstr4 screens
Orma Guides4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Mapstr at none against Orma Guides's shown. Mapstr also leads on chart position (#150 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Mapstr sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month and Orma Guides sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.95 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Mapstr versus Orma Guides: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMapstrOrma Guides
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.6K — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
Best chart rank#150 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.514.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size396 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHulabFeedel Ventures srl

Bugs and requests

Mapstr

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on launch for some users
  • Locations not showing up correctly on the map
  • Inability to access saved data after subscription change

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to add notes and photos for each location
  • Option to create multiple maps or organize by city
  • Offline access and map downloads
  • Integration with other services like Yelp
  • Ability to change icon colors

Orma Guides

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

22 purchases

Mapstr

Subscriptions17
  • Monthly membership$5.491 Month
  • mapstr plus$5.991 Month
  • mapstr plus - Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
Show 14 more
  • Mapstr plus monthly7 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Mapstr plus monthly$8.991 Month
  • mapstr plus7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Mapstr CLUB$27.491 Year
  • Yearly membership7 Days trial$32.991 Year
  • mapstr plus - yearly2 variants$59.901 Year
  • mapstr plus - yearly7 Days trial$59.901 Year
  • mapstr plus - Yearly2 Months trial$59.991 Year
  • mapstr plus1 Year trial$59.991 Year
  • mapstr plus - Yearly1 Month trial$59.991 Year
  • mapstr plus yearly$79.991 Year
  • mapstr plus - yearly2 variants$79.991 Year
  • mapstr plus - yearly7 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • mapstr plus - yearly$139.991 Year
One-time5
  • In the Loup - a foodie's worldFree
  • Experience NYFree
  • My Secret NYFree
Show 2 more
  • World’s Best BarsFree
  • The Lazy Frenchie in NYC$1.99
8 purchases

Orma Guides

Subscriptions1
  • Weekly$2.957 Days
One-time7
  • Singola guida - sconto 20%$1.99
  • Sconto del 30%2 variants$1.99
  • Single guide$3.00
Show 4 more
  • Singola guida$3.00
  • Sconto del 30%2 variants$9.99
  • Sconto 20% su tutte le guide$10.00
  • All guides$14.00

Questions

Is Mapstr free?
Mapstr is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Orma Guides free?
Orma Guides is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Mapstr or Orma Guides have ads?
Orma Guides shows ads; Mapstr does not.
Which is updated more often, Mapstr or Orma Guides?
Mapstr ships an update monthly, and Orma Guides monthly. Most recently, Mapstr was updated on September 26, 2026 and Orma Guides on September 10, 2026.

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