I’ve been geocaching for 6 years and I’ve met many different geocachers in that time frame. There are many types of geocachers and many different ways to participate in geocaching. Some people enjoy park and grabs while others enjoy ammo cans in the woods. Personally, I enjoy a mix of both. I’m in the deep south and summers are hot and muggy so I tend to stick to park and grabs during that time. But come winter, I like to hit the trails for the more involved caches. So, it’s no surprise that when it comes to finding geocaches there are many different ways. I prefer a handheld GPS unit but I’ve found many caches using a geocaching app.
When it comes to choosing a geocaching app there are several factors to consider. You have to look at what platform you’re working with. My first geocaching app was on Blackberry. Now I have an Android phone so that opens up other choices. Since Apple and Android are the two most popular platforms I will focus on apps for those two.
CacheSense (formerly CacheBerry)
Cachesense is the geocaching app which I currently use on my Android phone. It’s also the first app I used on Blackberry. Cachesense uses the Geocaching Live API which is a huge benefit in my opinion. The app has been around in one format or another since 2008 so you are getting a mature product. Cachesense is a paid app ($5.00) but it is well worth it for the features you get. See some of the highlights below that make Cachesense a great geocaching app.
Multiple Map Sources (Google, OSM, custom, etc)
Offline Map Support
Built in compass and radar
GPX File Import/Export
Pocket Query Download
There are many more features. You can check out the full details using the links below. Cachesense is available on Android and Blackberry. If you are looking for a mature, full featured geocaching app you can’t wrong here.
Android | Blackberry
Looking4Cache
The next geocaching app is for iPhone and iPad. Side note, are people really running around with an iPad geocaching? I’d like to see that. Anyway, Looking4Cache has a decent sized following on iPhone and it also uses the official Geocaching Live API. One feature I like with this app is Multi User. Let’s say you are caching with a group of people..you can connect all of your accounts and log the cache for each of you. This app comes in both paid and free versions. The paid version is $8.99 which is a little steep for my taste. Below are some of the features of Looking4Cache.
Multi User
Offline Maps
GPX Import/Export
Corrected coordinates (if you’ve entered them)
There are many other features. Be sure to check out all of the details at the link below.
Apple
C:Geo
C:Geo is an open source geocaching app for Android and it is very popular. One big difference with C:Geo is that it is not based on the Geocaching Live API. The method C:Geo uses to grab cache data depends on geocaching.com not changing anything. So when they do, C:Geo must adapt. This is the drawback to not using the official API. However, C:Geo does a great job of adjusting and it certainly is worth considering as your go to geocaching app if you use an Android device. Here are some core features.
Live Map
Google maps or OpenStreet Maps
Various Search criteria
Offline functions including maps
Log your caches online or offline
Import/Export GPX files
I like the ease at which you could load a GPX file in C:Geo and, using offline maps, use the app even without a cell signal. I used C:Geo years ago but haven’t tried it lately. However, I still hear that it’s very popular and worth taking a look at.
Android
Official Geocaching App (Intro and Paid)
I’m including two geocaching apps in one here. Groundspeak has a free “Intro” app and a paid app. The paid app costs $9.99 and is full featured. The free intro app is designed to help those new to Geocaching by giving them access to easier caches. However, if you are a premium member the Intro app gives you access to all caches. Groundspeak has been actively developing the Intro app while the paid app is not getting the same attention. The reasoning is that their goal is to make the Intro app into the one app for everyone. My guess is that the paid app will eventually go away…but I have no idea if that is accurate. Check out the features.
Advanced Search tools including offline lists, search filters, and sorting. (Paid)
Use Preferred maps (Paid)
Message other players for tips and/or hints (Intro)
Many others
Apple (Intro) | Apple (Paid) | Android (Intro) | Android (Paid)
There you have several geocaching apps available to you. I for one prefer to have a handheld GPS. I just like the accuracy and toughness of a GPS compared to a smartphone. However, I do have Cachesense on my phone for those times when I want to cache without planning.
What geocaching app do you use? Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite.
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