When it comes to hiking apps, two names dominate the conversation: AllTrails and Gaia GPS. Both offer offline maps, GPS tracking, and trail navigation—but they're designed for different types of hikers with different priorities.
I've used both apps extensively over the past three years, logging hundreds of miles on everything from local day hikes to multi-week backpacking trips. Here's my in-depth comparison to help you decide which app deserves a spot on your phone.
Quick Verdict
🏆 The Bottom Line
Choose AllTrails if you primarily do day hikes, want to discover new trails, and value community reviews and photos.
Choose Gaia GPS if you're a serious backcountry navigator who needs advanced map layers, off-trail navigation, and professional-grade tools.
Feature Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | AllTrails | Gaia GPS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (limited) / $35.99/yr | Free (limited) / $39.99/yr |
| Trail Database | ✓ 400,000+ trails | ✗ Not included |
| Community Reviews | ✓ Extensive | ✗ None |
| Offline Maps | ✓ Premium only | ✓ Premium only |
| Topo Map Layers | Basic | ✓ Extensive (USGS, etc.) |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Slope Analysis | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (Premium+) |
| GPX Import/Export | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Off-Trail Navigation | Limited | ✓ Excellent |
| Weather Overlay | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
Trail Discovery: AllTrails Wins
If finding new trails is your priority, AllTrails is the clear winner. With over 400,000 trails in its database, it's the world's largest collection of hiking routes. Each trail has ratings, reviews, photos from recent visitors, and difficulty assessments.
The community aspect is AllTrails' killer feature. Before any hike, I check recent reviews to see:
- Current trail conditions (snow, mud, fallen trees)
- Parking availability and trailhead access
- Water levels at stream crossings
- Wildlife sightings and hazards
- Crowd levels at different times
Gaia GPS, by contrast, is essentially a map tool. It shows you the terrain but doesn't tell you anything about the trails themselves. There are no reviews, no photos from other hikers, and no curated trail recommendations.
Map Quality: Gaia GPS Wins
When it comes to raw map capability, Gaia GPS is in a different league. The app offers dozens of map layers that can be overlaid and combined:
- USGS Topo Maps: Classic 7.5-minute quads with detailed contour lines
- USFS Maps: Forest Service trail and road data
- Satellite Imagery: Multiple providers for recent imagery
- Slope Angle Shading: Critical for avalanche safety
- Land Ownership: Public vs. private land boundaries
- Historical Maps: Vintage topo maps for research
AllTrails offers decent maps—including satellite and terrain views—but the options are much more limited. For serious backcountry navigation where you need to read terrain, identify potential hazards, and navigate off established trails, Gaia's map arsenal is essential.
Offline Maps: Tie (But Gaia Offers More)
Both apps require a paid subscription for offline maps—AllTrails+ ($35.99/year) or Gaia Premium ($39.99/year). Both work well for downloading trail maps before you lose cell service.
However, Gaia GPS offers more flexibility in what you can download offline. You can choose which map layers to store locally, at what zoom levels, and in custom regions of any shape. AllTrails is simpler—you download individual trails or areas—but less powerful.
For large wilderness areas or week-long backpacking trips, Gaia's more granular download options become essential. You can download entire national forests with topo detail, something AllTrails struggles to match.
User Interface: AllTrails Wins
AllTrails is beautifully designed and intuitive. Within minutes of opening the app for the first time, you'll understand how to search for trails, read reviews, and start recording. The learning curve is essentially zero.
Gaia GPS is powerful but complex. The interface is packed with features—layer controls, data overlays, waypoint management, route planning tools—and it takes time to learn. New users often feel overwhelmed. Once you master it, Gaia is incredibly capable, but that mastery doesn't come quickly.
For casual hikers who want to find a trail and go, AllTrails' simplicity is a significant advantage.
GPS Accuracy & Recording
Both apps use your phone's GPS hardware, so accuracy is similar. I've compared tracks recorded simultaneously on both apps and found negligible differences in position accuracy.
Where they differ:
- AllTrails focuses on recording your hike for sharing with the community. After your hike, you're prompted to write a review and upload photos.
- Gaia GPS focuses on navigation telemetry. You get more data about elevation gain, pace, and position history, with powerful export options for analysis.
Pricing Breakdown
AllTrails
- Free: Browse trails, read reviews, basic map view (requires internet)
- AllTrails+ ($35.99/year): Offline maps, no ads, wrong-turn alerts, enhanced navigation
- AllTrails+ Annual Bundle ($59.99/year): Includes Backpacker Magazine subscription
Gaia GPS
- Free: Basic maps, limited waypoints, GPS recording
- Premium ($39.99/year): Offline maps, full map library, weather overlay
- Premium+ ($59.99/year): All Premium features plus slope shading, MVUM maps, hunting layers
Who Should Choose AllTrails?
AllTrails is Best For:
- Day hikers looking for new trails to explore
- Hikers who value community reviews and trail conditions
- Beginners who want an easy-to-use app
- Social hikers who want to share their adventures
- People who primarily hike established, well-marked trails
Who Should Choose Gaia GPS?
Gaia GPS is Best For:
- Backcountry enthusiasts who navigate off-trail
- Hunters, mountaineers, and skiers who need specialized maps
- SAR volunteers and outdoor professionals
- Anyone who needs USGS topographic detail
- Multi-day backpackers in remote wilderness
- Users who want to plan routes on specific terrain
Can You Use Both?
Absolutely—and many serious hikers do. Use AllTrails to discover new trails, read reviews, and get a sense of what to expect. Then use Gaia GPS for actual navigation, especially in technical terrain or remote wilderness.
If you're budget-conscious, start with AllTrails+. It covers 90% of day hiking needs. Only upgrade to Gaia if you find yourself limited by AllTrails' map capabilities in backcountry situations.
Final Verdict
Both apps are excellent at what they do—they just excel at different things. AllTrails is the best app for trail discovery and casual hiking, with unmatched community features. Gaia GPS is the best app for serious navigation and professional-grade mapping.
Think about how you actually hike. If you stick to popular trails and value community input, AllTrails is your app. If you venture into remote wilderness and need detailed topographic maps, invest in Gaia GPS.