Editors Note: This article was published in 2015. Some information may be out-of-date.
This article makes it easy to understand the pros and cons of Gaia GPS vs AllTrails. Check out an at-a-glance comparison of features, along with a more detailed breakdown comparing app vs app, website vs website, and membership vs subscription.
In summary, Gaia GPS shines for people who go into the backcountry. Gaia GPS has better maps and GPS features, and offers all features plus hundreds additional mapsFor backcountry use, AllTrails lacks many maps and features.
The free versions of both apps include a trail search feature. If you do casual hikes in places where you have an internet connection, you can use either to search for trails, find route information, and stay on track as you hike.
*Not Available on Android devices
App vs App – Gaia GPS vs AllTrails
App |
Gaia GPS |
AllTrails | ||
Features | Basic
Free | Premium Member
| Basic
Free | Pro
|
| NatGeo Trail Maps | √ | |||
| Map Downloads for Offline Use | √ | √ | ||
| Printing | √ | √ | ||
| Route Planning | √ | √ | √ | |
| Data Sync | √ | √ | ||
| Export Trip Data (GPX/KML) | √ | √ | √ | |
| Import Trip Data (GPX/KML) | √ | √ | √ | |
| Track Recording | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Trail Search | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Number of Map Sources | 1 | 251 | 3 | 8 |
| Coordinate Formats | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| iPad App | √ | √ | ||
| Watch App | √ | √ | ||
| Folders | √ | √ | ||
| Custom Map Sources | √ | √ | ||
| Distance Markers & Announcements | √ | √ | ||
| Backtrack | √ | √ | ||
| Nautical Units | √ | √ | ||
| Vector Topo Maps* | √ | √ | ||
| Datum Shifting | √ | √ | ||
| Areas (polygons)* | √ | √ | ||
| Custom Waypoint Icons | √ | √ | ||
Gaia GPS
Useful as a replacement for a Garmin GPS, Gaia GPS offers a powerful set of features for downloading maps, recording tracks, and collecting data. Users of Gaia GPS include record-holding backpackers, search and rescue personnel, firefighters, GIS teams, and wilderness guides.
Gaia GPS is free to download. A Premium Membership includes unlimited map downloads and access to dozens of map sources. The free app gives you server backup of all tracks, photos, and other data. Gaia GPS makes it easy to record data, sync/backup with a server, and share trips. It also offers a deep array of backcountry navigation features and customizable settings.
The Gaia GPS app now includes a trail search feature, as well. You can search for hikes anywhere in the world, and quickly download maps and routes of trails you want to do. The feature also makes it easy to sort hikes by length, difficulty, or star rating, and view community-sourced photos, and reviews.
AllTrails
The AllTrails app is best known for its trail search feature. You can search for many well-reviewed trails, typically day-hikes near your current location. The basic app allows track recording. Additional features—like offline maps in the app or plotting routes on the website—require a subscription. Non-pro members can view three map sources in AllTrails. Downloading maps of any kind requires a subscription.
Some casual hikers will find this app suitable, but it’s not a robust enough tool for planning multi-day backpacking trips.
Membership vs Subscription
Gaia GPS – Premium Membership
You can use basically all the core features of Gaia GPS, including a trail search feature, for free. With a Premium Membership, you can layer maps and overlays and print maps from gaiagps.com. You also get access to National Geographic Trails Illustrated, NeoTreks, France IGN and other Premium maps. Click here for a full list of available maps.
AllTrails Pro
AllTrails offers a subscription upgrade, which provides basic features for the app and website. Many of the features available in AllTrails Pro come standard in the Gaia GPS basic app.
AllTrails Pro benefits include the ability to download maps, plan routes, and access a few extra map sources.
Website vs Website
gaiagps.com
A handy extension of the app, gaiagps.com allows for seamless syncing and backup of data between web and device. You can view online maps, manage your data, search for trips, and create snap-to-trail routes to sync directly back to your device.
The brand-new hike search feature has access to one of the largest trail databases on the planet. Search trails and download maps to the Gaia GPS app, right from your desktop. Test it out at gaiagps.com/map.
alltrails.com
The AllTrails website has a reputable search feature, which takes center stage. Much like the mobile app, the website provides trail reviews and search as the core, free offering. Trail pages include pictures and reviews, and span many well-known trails.
Both Gaia GPS and AllTrails allow printing of maps (with a subscription). The AllTrails website also includes a “map creator tool” similar to Gaia’s hike search feature , as well as the ability to back up your data, but both features require a subscription.
Conclusion – Gaia GPS vs AllTrails
Gaia GPS offers the best solution for the backcountry. You should buy Gaia GPS if you want to go backpacking, or do work outdoors.
The free AllTrails app offers a few good features for doing day hikes, especially if you can access the internet. But the AllTrails subscription doesn’t match up to the professional-level Gaia GPS features, and can’t beat Gaia GPS in the backcountry.
Gaia GPS |
AllTrails | |
| App |
Great maps, features, trail search, and data sync for backcountry trips. Free |
Record a track, view an online map, and search for trails. Free |
| Website |
gaiagps.com – Search for trails, plan trips, and use with the app. Free |
alltrails.com – Search for trails. Most features require a subscription. Free |
| Subscription/Membership |
Add specialized maps, download, and print maps. |
Required for most features, including map downloads and route-making. |
