Avenza Maps vs Google Maps

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

1. [R1] Avenza Maps 1/5 · US Useless: As a long-term casual user, I am very disappointed with the pricing plan change. I have happily used the app for many years for cross country backpacking. I like to know where I am. Now, as a “free” user, the only map I can access is the OSM. This map is absolutely useless. I cannot see the details of this map. As suck I am unable to navigate with it.
2. [R2] Avenza Maps 5/5 · US So easy!: Thank you Avenza for making it easy to upload .pdf maps and follow them in my map app with a blue dot!
3. [R3] Avenza Maps 3/5 · US Updated map limits: This app has been great for so long, but the recent changes to custom map import limits is making me look for alternative apps.
4. [R4] Avenza Maps 1/5 · US Corporate greed ruins everything: Time to find an alternative
5. [R12] Avenza Maps 3/5 · US Pretty useless as a self-guided walking map: This app might work for some doing fishing hunting where you create your own maps/trails. However, planning a day trip to Rottnest Island (Australia, Perth area) the RottnestIsland.com website suggested this app and to download the “Wadjemup” trails. Ok, 4.99$ later (the app is free but you pay for maps) I realized I just wasted 4.99&… since it provide
6. [R33] Avenza Maps 3/5 · US Great features but search results need work: Updating my below review because another annoying feature is that when you sort your maps by distance it isn’t accurate. You’d think that the map that you’re currently on would be first when sorted that way. But it isn’t. In fact, I often have maps that are hundreds of miles from me and in another state showing up before the actual map I’m on. Overall
7. [R42] Avenza Maps 3/5 · GB Limited mapping: I have yet to test App in the field. However I am disappointed at the scarcity of high quality maps available for South America. I was hoping for 1:25000 maps of mountains, including Santa Isabél in Colombia, and Salkantay Machu Picchu
8. [R8] Avenza Maps 5/5 · US My go to river app: I have been using these maps for years. The accuracy is impressive. The ability to know where we are on the river has saved me from more than just one take-out mistake.
9. [R10] Avenza Maps 2/5 · US Functional sort of: Terrible user interface. If you’re really patient and don’t mind unnecessarily complicated steps to make field notes and edits you may find this app to be ok. It does the job but does so in a very inefficient manner. This is magnified while in the field and dealing with less than ideal environmental conditions.
10. [R19] Avenza Maps 1/5 · US No longer free! $$$$: This app started out ok, but kinda clunky for viewing geoPDFs, but pushed by USGS ISFS, BLM, state fish and game depts. and other public sources for geoPDF maps products. Start hitting limits years ago on how many imported pdf maps you could add. More headaches than it was worth to use it much. Now zero map imports allowed without a heavy subscription fee. Moving on to No
11. [R16] Avenza Maps 1/5 · US Going to get firefighters/public killed.: Need a better way to enter coordinates that doesn’t autocorrect. Caused massive navigational errors when heading to wildfires. Use any other app for plotting coordinates.
12. [R18] Avenza Maps 3/5 · US Import function is broken: As another review points out, the free custom map import feature no longer works and instead sends you to a generic Avenza store webpage without explanation. Non-store custom map import has been a core feature since inception and its absence essentially breaks the app for many users. But after several months Avenza still hasn't addressed it as a bug demanding an urgent f
13. [R20] Avenza Maps 5/5 · US Review of Avenza: I am fascinated to be able to import historic aerials into Avenza and use them to find historic sites while I am walking the area! It is accurate and easy to use! Makes the histotic aerials compatible with Google Earth!!!
14. [R6] Avenza Maps 3/5 · US Used to be better: As a wildland fire safety officer, I used to be able to download custom maps with the free version. Now, I can’t so I’m forced to purchase a plan. The wildland fire community is being pushed into using Field maps, and I may eventually go that route, too.
15. [R13] Avenza Maps 1/5 · US Paywall & Data Freeze: Very disappointed with recent changes no longer allowing custom maps without a paid subscription & preventing publishers from updating their maps in the Avenza store. This was my favourite mapping app for the back country & it is now unusable.
16. [R64] Google Maps 2/5 · US New updates disabled some searches: Some of the common searches like restaurants, attractions, gas etc. are not showing on the maps and redirects you to google search. The only time it works is when you’re on incognito mode.
17. [R67] Google Maps 1/5 · US Crazy bug: Shows nothing when I search “restaurants “
18. [R69] Google Maps 3/5 · US Zooming in/out issues: App has worked great for years but in the past few months zooming and shrinking has not been centered. Tried reinstalling but it came back after a hour or so of working fine. Update didn’t help either. Zooming to a certain place has been made very hard but besides this bug it’s a nice app.
19. [R72] Google Maps 3/5 · US Bring back featuring the address on top: I love this app, I’ve used it for years. The only reason I’m writing a review now is because with the new update, they’ve hidden the address below and you have to scroll and search for it. I now have to search for it. I have friends who don’t use this app. “Sharing the location” doesn’t work if you don’t have the app. Stop making me search and lift up rocks
20. [R35] Avenza Maps 4/5 · US Expensive yearly price tag: I've had this app for about 9 years now and it had a free use section. It's a very good mapping tool but when I updated it, it said the maps I was using were no longer supported in the free mode. In order to use the maps I now have to buy into the subscription which is $34 a year. That's too expensive for me and how often I use the mapping. As a paramedic running calls
21. [R40] Avenza Maps 1/5 · US Scam: I paid 170 bucks for pro and it expired a month later asking me to pay again. The 170 was supposed to cover a whole year and yet it barely covered a month.
22. [R44] Avenza Maps 5/5 · US Misleading: Though the app is free to download it costs a yearly subscription of $165 to import anything and run it. Found this out AFTER I purchased a map that only runs on this platform. Very disappointing and falsely advertised.
23. [R59] Avenza Maps 1/5 · US Get a user base who is happy with a fairly priced solid product and pull the rug out: Making users pay $170 for a pro subscription that’s is basically the same as the $25 subscription we’ve previously been using is a crime. Looking forward to an alternative app.