# OS Maps vs GPS OS Grid Reference

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GPS OS Grid Reference at 90% against OS Maps's 44%. GPS OS Grid Reference also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). OS Maps's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (470 vs 17). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. OS Maps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and GPS OS Grid Reference sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

OS Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OS Maps has 470 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of OS Maps'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.

OS Maps ships an update monthly, GPS OS Grid Reference every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | OS Maps | GPS OS Grid Reference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (470 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/os-maps-walk-hike-run-bike/id978307846/reviews)** | [4.4 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-os-grid-reference/id993436655/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **470** | 17 |
| Positive reviews | 44.2% of reviews | **89.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#190** | — |
| Size | 347 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ordnance Survey](https://appshunter.io/developer/569517411) | [Tomstrails.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/425642318) |

## What reviewers say

### OS Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/os-maps-walk-hike-run-bike/id978307846)

**Currently charting:** #190 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

Discover and plan outdoor adventures with detailed maps and GPS navigation. Track your hikes, runs, and bike rides, and stay safe with offline maps and community alerts. Explore new trails and relive your past activities.

**Highlights:** Detailed trail maps, GPS navigation, Offline map downloads, Activity tracking & history, Community alerts, 3D map views, Route planning

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 month | $11.99 | per month |
| 12 months | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Excellent OS mapping
- 📍 Accurate GPS location tracking
- 🛠️ Useful route planning tools
- 🔋 Offline maps for battery life
- 🌄 Detailed elevation profiles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and bugs
- ⏱️ Slow map loading and refreshing
- 🔒 Subscription issues and login problems
- 🗺️ Offline maps not always reliable
- 🔍 Poor search and navigation functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Maps fail to load or disappear
- Recorded activities not saving properly
- Subscription not recognized on all devices
- Elevation profiles not matching map data
- Unexpected errors and crashes on launch

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch integration
- Ability to edit and adjust routes
- Better filtering and sorting of routes
- Improved syncing between devices
- Accessibility options for disabled users


### GPS OS Grid Reference

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-os-grid-reference/id993436655)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Features | $5.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🎯 Accurate grid references
- 🚀 Fast and quick updates
- 💡 Works without phone signal
- 🗺️ Useful for navigation and backup

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Blurry satellite maps
- 🧭 Compass not accurate
- 📉 Accuracy dropped recently
- 🗺️ No map data included
- 🚫 Cannot search locations

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OS Maps free?

OS Maps 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, OS Maps or GPS OS Grid Reference?

OS Maps is rated higher. OS Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 470 ratings, while GPS OS Grid Reference averages 4.4 from 17 ratings.

### Do OS Maps or GPS OS Grid Reference have ads?

Neither OS Maps nor GPS OS Grid Reference shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OS Maps or GPS OS Grid Reference?

OS Maps ships an update monthly, and GPS OS Grid Reference every 3 months. Most recently, OS Maps was updated on November 6, 2026 and GPS OS Grid Reference on November 6, 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.*