# Open GPX Tracker vs Garmin Explore™

The clearest difference is update cadence: Garmin Explore™ at monthly against Open GPX Tracker's every 5 months. Garmin Explore™ also leads on chart position (#95 vs unranked) and ratings volume (1K vs 131). Open GPX Tracker's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 45%) and rating (4.3 vs 4.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Open GPX Tracker holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin Explore™ has 1K ratings behind it against 131, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Open GPX Tracker's written reviews are positive against 45% of Garmin Explore™'s.

Open GPX Tracker ships an update every 5 months, Garmin Explore™ monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Open GPX Tracker | Garmin Explore™ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (131 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-gpx-tracker/id984503772/reviews)** | [4.1 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-explore/id1276675721/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 131 | **1K** |
| Positive reviews | **67.1% of reviews** | 45.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#95** |
| Size | 13 MB | 449 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Juan Manuel Merlos](https://appshunter.io/developer/984503771) | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) |

## What reviewers say

### Open GPX Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-gpx-tracker/id984503772)

Record GPS tracks with waypoints and offline maps. This app offers privacy, no ads, and no in-app purchases. Ideal for travel, hiking, biking, and creating GPX data for mapping or app development.

**Highlights:** Create GPS traces with waypoints, Offline map support, Apple Watch App support, Share and send GPX files, Multiple map sources, Add and edit waypoints

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple, intuitive, and clean user interface
- 💰 Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases
- 📍 Accurate GPS tracking and waypoint creation
- ⌚ Apple Watch integration for convenient tracking
- 🔋 Lightweight and battery-efficient operation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Files fail to save without error notification
- 🐛 App crashes when opening saved files folder
- 🐛 Data loss after app updates or crashes
- 🐛 Gaps in GPS recording data
- 🐛 App crashes when opening GPX files after inactivity

**Reported bugs**

- File save fails silently with long filenames or filepaths
- App crashes when accessing files folder from main screen
- GPX files lost after app updates or reinstallation
- Inconsistent file saving (fails approximately 1/3 of the time)
- App crashes when trying to open GPX files after period of inactivity

**Requested features**

- Auto-save functionality for tracking sessions
- Persistent notification when recording is active
- Ability to edit tracks before exporting
- Import custom geo-referenced map images
- Adjustable route color and line thickness


### Garmin Explore™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-explore/id1276675721)

**Currently charting:** #95 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Navigate off-grid with this app, which pairs with a compatible Garmin device for trip planning, mapping, and navigation even without Wi-Fi or cellular service. Plan routes, download maps for offline use, and sync data to the cloud.

**Highlights:** Off-grid navigation, Trip planning, Offline map downloads, Pair and sync with Garmin device, Activity library, Cloud storage, LiveTrack location sharing

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Excellent for planning routes and activities
- 💡 Great for offline navigation with downloaded maps
- 👍 Seamless integration with Garmin devices
- 👍 Useful for tracking and sharing adventures

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sync issues with Garmin devices
- 🔍 Lacking detailed map options in some regions
- 🔍 Confusing interface and terminology
- 🐛 Crashes and performance issues
- 🔒 Requires login and internet connection for full functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Sync failures between app and Garmin devices
- Disappearing or corrupted user data
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS/Android versions
- Unreliable offline map downloads

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit waypoint coordinates
- More customization options for map layers and displays
- Improved route planning and navigation features
- Better syncing and data management between app and devices
- Support for more Garmin device models


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Open GPX Tracker free?

Open GPX Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Garmin Explore™ free?

Garmin Explore™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Open GPX Tracker or Garmin Explore™?

Open GPX Tracker is rated higher. Open GPX Tracker averages 4.3 out of 5 from 131 ratings, while Garmin Explore™ averages 4.1 from 1K ratings.

### Do Open GPX Tracker or Garmin Explore™ have ads?

Neither Open GPX Tracker nor Garmin Explore™ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Open GPX Tracker or Garmin Explore™?

Open GPX Tracker ships an update every 5 months, and Garmin Explore™ monthly. Most recently, Open GPX Tracker was updated on September 21, 2026 and Garmin Explore™ on September 25, 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.*