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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Apple Maps vs exactEarth

Apple Maps logo

Apple Maps

Maps & Navigation

Web mapping and navigation application developed by Apple Inc

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
exactEarth logo

exactEarth

Maritime & Shipping

Advanced satellite AIS data services

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Maps live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions; exactEarth exactEarth's own homepage, as captured by the Internet Archive on 28 December 2021, carried a banner stating: 'We are happy to announce that exactEarth is now part of Spire Global,' confirming in the vendor's own words that exactEarth was absorbed into Spire (now sold as Kpler's spireMT product); no independent exactEarth pricing survives
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Maps covers Core Functionality, exactEarth covers Satellite AIS data.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Maps and exactEarth actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Maps and exactEarth differ
AttributeApple MapsexactEarth
Starting priceOn request$1000/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsiOS, macOS, WebApi, Web
CategoryMaps & NavigationMaritime & Shipping
Founded20122009

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Maps

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in exactEarth

  • Satellite AIS data
  • Global vessel tracking
  • Historical data archive
  • Anomaly detection
  • API
  • Data feeds
  • GIS platforms
  • Api support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Maps

  • Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigationnot exactEarth
  • Public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries)not exactEarth
  • Offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (iOS 17+)not exactEarth
  • Augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported citiesnot exactEarth
  • Saving custom hiking/walking routes, including U.S. national park hikes, for offline accessnot exactEarth

exactEarth

No use cases recorded yet. See the exactEarth review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Maps

  • Live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions
  • Apple Maps for the web is only in public beta, not a full-featured release
  • Feature depth (e.g. immersive walking AR directions, detailed transit) is strongest on newer iPhones/iOS versions, leaving older devices with a reduced experience

exactEarth

  • exactEarth's own homepage, as captured by the Internet Archive on 28 December 2021, carried a banner stating: 'We are happy to announce that exactEarth is now part of Spire Global,' confirming in the vendor's own words that exactEarth was absorbed into Spire (now sold as Kpler's spireMT product); no independent exactEarth pricing survives

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Maps

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Apple Maps review.

exactEarth

$1000/month
  • Enterprise$5000/month
    • Global AIS data
    • Historical archive
    • Custom analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Maps if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You work on iOS, macOS, Web.
  • You also want user interface.
Apple Maps review

Choose exactEarth if

  • You need satellite ais data.
  • You work on Api, Web.
  • You also want global vessel tracking.
exactEarth review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Maps or exactEarth better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Maps starts at On request and exactEarth at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Maps or exactEarth?
Apple Maps starts at On request and exactEarth at $1000/month.
Does Apple Maps or exactEarth run on more platforms?
Apple Maps runs on iOS, macOS, Web. exactEarth runs on Api, Web.
What is Apple Maps best used for?
Apple Maps is most often used for turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation, public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries), offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (ios 17+), augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported cities. Of those, turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation and public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries) are not what exactEarth is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Maps do that exactEarth cannot?
Apple Maps covers Core Functionality, User Interface. exactEarth covers Satellite AIS data, Global vessel tracking, Historical data archive, Anomaly detection.
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