Comparison

Grid Ref UTM vs GPS OS Grid Reference

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

Head to head
About

Grid Ref UTM

Pinpoint your exact map reference location globally using the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system. Displays UTM grid references, hemisphere, and WGS84 latitude/longitude. Share your location via Twitter. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • UTM Grid Reference display
  • WGS84 Latitude and Longitude
  • Hemisphere information
  • Location sharing via Twitter
  • Accuracy of readings indicator
  • International operation with USA UTM Zones guide
Features
Read full description

Pinpoint your current map reference location anywhere in the world, using the Universal Transverse Mercator geographic coordinate system. (UTM) App Provides: UTM Grid Ref, Hemisphere, and WGS84 Latitude and Longitude values. The Accuracy of Readings, as indicated by your device, will also be shown. Tweet to Share your Location via Twitter! Grid Ref UTM - Your Grid Reference App! App will operate internationally. App includes a graphical guide to the United States (USA) UTM Zones. Ideally suited for use by walkers, hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. It is recommended that you should always carry a map and physical compass when on outdoor pursuits. For best results, use in a flat position, not an upright position. Much like a traditional compass. Use in an open space, where possible, away from trees, buildings and sources of interference. For continued on-screen display of Grid Reference information, please set your Auto-Lock preference in the 'Settings' App. (Settings -> General -> Auto-Lock) Compatible with handsets that feature GPS hardware. You may have to grant the app permission to use this information. -- Ad Supported.

About

GPS OS Grid Reference

This app accurately pinpoints your location on Ordnance Survey maps for Great Britain and Ireland, even without a phone signal. It offers precise grid references, waypoint creation, and navigation features. The display is designed for clarity in all lighting conditions, and it optimizes battery usage.

Highlights
  • Offline map location
  • Accurate grid references
  • Waypoint creation and management
  • High-contrast display
  • Battery optimization
  • Share waypoints
Features
Read full description

GPS OS provides a fast and accurate way to locate your position on an Ordnance Survey map, both in Great Britain and Ireland. • No phone signal required - works in the most remote locations. • OSTN15 transform data for high conversion accuracy (better than 1m). • 6, 8 and 10 figure grid references. • A large, clear, high contrast display ensures you can easily read your position in any light conditions. • Optimises the frequency of position updates depending on battery charge and speed of travel to make sure you can always make calls at the end of the day. • Create waypoints from a map, your current location or manually enter Ordnance Survey coordinates. • Explore waypoints and get directions in Apple Maps. • Share waypoints with other apps or users. • No adverts. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Includes OSTN15 transform data licensed with permission. Copyright and database rights Ordnance Survey Limited 2016, ©Crown copyright and database rights Land and Property Services 2016 and/or ©Ordnance Survey Ireland, 2016. All rights reserved.

Screenshots

Grid Ref UTM3 screens
GPS OS Grid Reference4 screens

Verdict

The call

Grid Ref UTM and GPS OS Grid Reference both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 90% of GPS OS Grid Reference's written reviews are positive against 74% of Grid Ref UTM's. GPS OS Grid Reference also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 10 months). Grid Ref UTM's advantage is ratings volume (183 vs 17) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Grid Ref UTM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and GPS OS Grid Reference sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Grid Ref UTM holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Grid Ref UTM has 183 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 74% of Grid Ref UTM's written reviews are positive against 90% of GPS OS Grid Reference's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid Ref UTM ships an update every 10 months, GPS OS Grid Reference every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Grid Ref UTM versus GPS OS Grid Reference: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid Ref UTMGPS OS Grid Reference
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (183 ratings) — better4.4 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews73.7% of reviews89.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings183 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike IrvingTomstrails.com

Customer experience

Grid Ref UTM

All ratings183 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive73.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.3%

GPS OS Grid Reference

All ratings17 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive89.9%
Neutral1.0%
Negative9.1%

Bugs and requests

Grid Ref UTM

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

GPS OS Grid Reference

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Waypoint finder satellite view is blurry
  • Compass is not accurate
  • Accuracy has dropped recently
  • Location services permanently dimmed off (iOS)
  • App does not work for users not in England

Requested features

10 requests
  • Add map data and search functionality
  • Improve satellite map clarity
  • Add ability to view location on a map
  • Enable navigation from point to point
  • Add Apple Watch equivalent app
Show 5 more
  • Display latitude and longitude
  • Add a dynamic display for accuracy improvement
  • Implement time averaging for accuracy
  • Allow copying grid reference to clipboard
  • Add facility to store and recall reference information

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Grid Ref UTM

One-time1
  • Go Ad Free$0.99
2 purchases

GPS OS Grid Reference

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Features7 Days trial$5.991 Year
One-time1
  • Feature Pack - Compass & sharing features.Free

Questions

Is Grid Ref UTM free?
Grid Ref UTM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GPS OS Grid Reference free?
GPS OS Grid Reference is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Grid Ref UTM or GPS OS Grid Reference?
Grid Ref UTM is rated higher. Grid Ref UTM averages 4.6 out of 5 from 183 ratings, while GPS OS Grid Reference averages 4.4 from 17 ratings.
Do Grid Ref UTM or GPS OS Grid Reference have ads?
Neither Grid Ref UTM nor GPS OS Grid Reference shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid Ref UTM or GPS OS Grid Reference?
Grid Ref UTM ships an update every 10 months, and GPS OS Grid Reference every 3 months. Most recently, Grid Ref UTM was updated on September 28, 2026 and GPS OS Grid Reference on October 5, 2026.

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