# GPS OS Grid Reference vs 3D Offline Maps

The clearest difference is update cadence: 3D Offline Maps at weekly against GPS OS Grid Reference's every 3 months. 3D Offline Maps also leads on ratings volume (643 vs 17) and iOS requirement (15.4 vs 18.0). GPS OS Grid Reference's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 79%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GPS OS Grid Reference sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per year and 3D Offline Maps sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

3D Offline Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D Offline Maps has 643 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 90% of GPS OS Grid Reference's written reviews are positive against 79% of 3D Offline Maps's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

GPS OS Grid Reference ships an update every 3 months, 3D Offline Maps weekly. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | GPS OS Grid Reference | 3D Offline Maps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gps-os-grid-reference/id993436655/reviews) | **[4.6 (643 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3d-offline-maps-gps-tracker/id1629505231/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 17 | **643** |
| Positive reviews | **89.9% of reviews** | 79.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 11 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tomstrails.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/425642318) | [SERGEI BEZDENEZHNYKH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1519570418) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Features | $5.99 | per year |
| Feature Pack - Compass & sharing features. | Free | one-time |

**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


### 3D Offline Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3d-offline-maps-gps-tracker/id1629505231)

Navigate and explore the world with detailed 2D and 3D offline maps. Record GPS tracks, save routes, and import/export GPX files. Plan adventures, mark points of interest, and share data, even without an internet signal.

**Highlights:** Offline 2D and 3D maps, GPS track recording, Route planning, GPX import/export, Unlimited offline map storage, Multiple map types

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Month | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Month | $3.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual | $12.99 | per year |
| Annual Sale | $12.99 | per year |
| Matching to road | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Excellent 3D mapping technology
- 👍 Clear and colorful visualization
- 🧭 Effective offline navigation
- 🔄 Map rotation capability for trail viewing
- ⛰️ Great for hiking and outdoor activities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive pricing
- 🐛 3D offline maps turn black and become grainy
- 🗺️ Trails not clearly marked or visible
- 🏷️ Roads not identified or labeled
- ⏱️ Slow rendering and zoom performance

**Reported bugs**

- 3D offline maps display black and grainy visuals
- Maps require zooming out and back in to clear display
- GPX file download compatibility issues
- Background tracking does not work

**Requested features**

- CarPlay support integration
- Map selection icon on main page
- Current/real-time satellite imagery
- Map gradients relative to pitch
- Background tracking functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GPS OS Grid Reference free?

GPS OS Grid Reference is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is 3D Offline Maps free?

3D Offline Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, GPS OS Grid Reference or 3D Offline Maps?

3D Offline Maps is rated higher. GPS OS Grid Reference averages 4.4 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while 3D Offline Maps averages 4.6 from 643 ratings.

### Do GPS OS Grid Reference or 3D Offline Maps have ads?

Neither GPS OS Grid Reference nor 3D Offline Maps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GPS OS Grid Reference or 3D Offline Maps?

GPS OS Grid Reference ships an update every 3 months, and 3D Offline Maps weekly. Most recently, GPS OS Grid Reference was updated on September 22, 2026 and 3D Offline Maps on September 22, 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.*