Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

MTB Project vs Trailforks

MTB Project 4.6★ · Free to download 45
Winner Trailforks
Trailforks 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Trailforks is the better choice for a more reliable and feature-rich experience, despite its paywall, as MTB Project is plagued by constant crashing and a dated interface.

Full reviews: MTB Project · Trailforks

Trailforks offers extensive trail data, navigation, and community features, though many are behind a paywall. MTB Project, while free, suffers from frequent crashes and a buggy user experience, making it unreliable for navigation.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: TrailforksR2R4R9R18
MTB Project MTB Project is praised for its comprehensive trail information, including topographical profiles, difficulty ratings, and elevation profiles, which are useful for discovering and planning rides R2. However, users note a lack of specific features like eMTB filtering R9 and the inability to easily export GPX files to Garmin devices R4. Some users also find it difficult to read reviews R18.
Trailforks Trailforks is highly regarded for its detailed, color-coded trail maps, photos, and videos, which are helpful for planning and navigation . It's particularly useful for finding trails in a user's skill range . However, many advanced features, including detailed trail information, offline maps, and route creation, are locked behind a paid 'Pro' subscription R76. Users also report issues with the route planner being difficult to use on both the app and website .
Ease of Use and Interface tieR1R3R10R14
MTB Project MTB Project's user interface is frequently criticized as 'hideous,' 'dated,' and 'terrible,' with text running into graphic blocks R1R10R14. Users find it hard to navigate, with some functions requiring an account . The app also has issues with spammy pop-up windows R3 and randomly zooming to different zones .
Trailforks Trailforks is generally considered easy to use for finding trails and viewing maps . However, its interface for route creation and organization is described as almost useless on the app and only slightly better on the website . Some users find the ride log difficult to locate and the app can be annoying with GPS notifications . The most significant usability issue for non-paying users is the constant, intrusive 'buy pro now' ads and banners that block content and make the free version nearly unusable R76R79.
Reliability and Performance edge: TrailforksR1R3R6R7
MTB Project MTB Project is plagued by severe reliability issues, with numerous reports of frequent crashes, especially when zooming, loading routes, or in areas with low or intermittent cell service R1R3R6R7. Users mention the app becoming unusable after updates or since its acquisition by OnX R7. Some users also experience issues with ride recording and location errors .
Trailforks Trailforks generally performs well for many users . However, some users report the app freezing, force closing, or being buggy, particularly after updates or when loading rides R61. There are also complaints about the app automatically recording activities even when users only want to view maps, which drains battery .
Price and Value edge: MTB ProjectR2R7R38R44
MTB Project MTB Project is free to download and use, with users appreciating that there are no premium fees or ads for basic features R2R38. Some users note that it used to be a gift from REI R44. However, some recent updates have introduced what feels like a paywall or account requirement with OnX, leading to frustration R7.
Trailforks Trailforks offers a free version but heavily restricts functionality, making it 'useless' or 'inaccessible' without a paid 'Pro' subscription R76R79. The subscription costs around $54-$60 per year, which some users find expensive, especially given that much of the data is crowdsourced R61R79. The price has also increased, causing some long-term subscribers to cancel . Despite the cost, some users find the Pro subscription 'well worth the money' for its features .
Support and Updates tieR5R7R10R14
MTB Project Users express a desire for more development resources and updates for MTB Project, especially to fix persistent crashing issues and update the UI R5R7R10R14. There's a perception that the app is being neglected since its acquisition by OnX, with some believing it's only kept around to drive users to the OnX platform .
Trailforks Trailforks users report poor or non-existent customer support, with issues like hacked accounts not being deleted and login problems going unresolved despite multiple attempts to contact support . There are also complaints that the app is buggy and not updated frequently enough, especially considering the subscription cost R61R79.
Pick MTB Project if

you need a completely free app for basic trail discovery and are willing to tolerate frequent crashes and a dated interface R2R38R44.

Pick Trailforks if

you are willing to pay for a subscription to access a more reliable app with detailed maps, community features, and better overall functionality for planning and navigation .

Evidence note: MTB Project's lifetime rating is significantly higher than its recent reviews suggest, primarily due to a widespread issue of constant crashing reported by many recent users, which makes the app borderline unusable for them. Trailforks' lower lifetime rating is heavily influenced by negative sentiment around its paywall and aggressive promotion of its Pro subscription, rather than core functionality issues.

Frequently asked

Is MTB Project free to use?
Yes, MTB Project is free to download and use, with users appreciating that there are no premium fees or ads for basic features R2R38.
How much does Trailforks Pro cost?
Trailforks Pro costs around $54-$60 per year, and many users find the free version to be severely limited and almost unusable without the subscription R61R76R79R85.
Which app is better for navigation during a ride?
Trailforks is generally more reliable for navigation, offering features like color-coded trails and offline maps, while MTB Project is frequently reported to crash during rides, especially in areas with poor cell service, making it unreliable for in-field navigation R12R42R43R60.

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. [R2] MTB Project 5/5 · US Amazing App: Made by the same creators of Hiking Project, this is an amazing app. No big companies asking for their $30 premium for the most basic of features. No ads, only just pure trails and community help. Please let me marry these developers.
  2. [R4] MTB Project 1/5 · US Removal of GPX files and other issues: The app doesn’t make it easy to reset your password. Also there are no longer GPX options to download to a Garmin.
  3. [R9] MTB Project 3/5 · US Needs One Feature For Me: MTB Project is a good app for mountain bikers but it misses out on one key feature I need. There is no field for eMTB. A huge number of single track and some double track in my state (Oregon) is off limits to eMTB. Bummer, because we respect the trails and other users. MTB Project offers nothing helpful to eMTB riders.
  4. [R18] MTB Project 3/5 · US Reviews: Could not figure out how to read reviews. Really disappointing
  5. [R1] MTB Project 2/5 · US Unstable: Crashes often, UI is hideous and text runs into graphic blocks. Borderline unusable.
  6. [R3] MTB Project 3/5 · US Works ok with a few major bugs: I love this app for planning rides, but for usinig it to navigate it has several major issues. The first is it constantly pops up a spammy window for Onyx mapping, somtiimes this window will not close on my phone. It happens constnatly. The other issue is when I'm trying to use the app to navigate on a ride, if I use my phone for a brief time to take a photo, I co
  7. [R10] MTB Project 1/5 · US Nothing but crashes: Used the app for years with no issue, but using it with low service now and it continuously crashes. Very disappointing and makes the app completely unusable. Also please update your UI for Liquid Glass, the app looks terrible
  8. [R14] MTB Project 5/5 · US Love it but: Please keep it more current. It’s my go to and I depend on it but lately it’s been crashing and starting to feel dated. Please keep it alive.
  9. [R6] MTB Project 3/5 · US Keeps crashing: maps keep crashing on iphone when you try to zoom in or out.
  10. [R7] MTB Project 1/5 · US Glitchy and Paywalled: Ever since combing with onx the app just crashes out when loading longer routes. They need to put more development resources into it if I am paying for it with an Onx account.
  11. [R38] MTB Project 5/5 · US The only option: Let me just say that it is not as complete as other apps, but I don’t have to pay a monthly subscription to search for trails. They are not about making money, they are about mountain bikers having fun.
  12. [R44] MTB Project 5/5 · US Thank You!: I’ve been using MTB Project for years. It’s my favorite trail app and I appreciate REI gifting to all of us
  13. [R5] MTB Project 4/5 · US Great app, needs some love: This is definitely the best app for mountain biking, but I wish OnX would put a little effort into making sure it doesn’t crash, and add a feature to sort/filter by condition status.
  14. [R61] Trailforks 1/5 · US $54 a yr and the app doesn’t work: You would think when they charge you $54yr the app would actually work and not freeze up and the updates would fix that issue
  15. [R76] Trailforks 1/5 · US Useless unless you pay…: This app is absolutely useless if you don’t pay for Pro…. Literally 95% of the app is locked behind a paywall. Just disgusting. You guys ever wonder why AllTrails has over a million downloads? Because you can actually SEE useful information WITHOUT having to pay! Plus the paid version is cheaper! Get a clue…
  16. [R79] Trailforks 1/5 · US Useless without a paid subscription: I used the app for years and contributed to trail logs etc. When they started charging I thought, ok, paid for a subscription for a year. It wasn’t that worth it considering the information is crowdsourced and the app is never updated and buggy. It expired and I’m so disappointed with the free version. They make it totally useless. Can’t see any details and a p
  17. [R85] Trailforks 2/5 · US I don’t want to pay for premium: Hard to use unless you pay for premium. The big banner blocking half the screen and not being able to information about a trail on the free version makes this app useless for anyone who doesn’t want the *fork* over $60 a year.
  18. [R12] MTB Project 3/5 · US Love it, but…: MTB Project is a fantastic app for finding trails, but when in an area with on and off cell signal the app was crashing constantly. Fortunately, I had other map apps to help me navigate. I was following a pinned route and it was very frustrating to have the app continuously crash trying to find my way. To the developers, please make the app function better without cell service and w
  19. [R42] MTB Project 3/5 · US Crashes: So frustrating to have this app crash relentlessly on me while I’m on a ride and trying to ensure I’m on the right trail. Doesn’t ever happen when planning at home. Several of my friends this weekend complained of the same problem while we were riding Magnificent 7 in Utah. C’mon MTB, you were my go to app MTB and now I’m forced to use your competitors app. Fix please!
  20. [R43] MTB Project 1/5 · US Crashes constantly - literally unusable: Honestly if the crashes in the app aren’t fixed I think Apple should remove this from the App Store. I was on a ride yesterday, pinned the ride before I left, and literally couldn’t use the app. Fortunately I had a backup map application, but this is a legitimate liability. If someone had this downloaded and was planning to rely on it and it malfunctioned l
  21. [R60] MTB Project 3/5 · US Horrendous Unusable Routing: App is great for trip planning but utterly useless in the field

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store