Why a free field app is free
Before using a free tool, the right question is what model sits behind it.
Field takeaways
- A free product always has a model behind it.
- Selling data and freemium are very different things.
- A privacy policy should be specific.
- A Pro tier should not lock the core function.
- Transparency is the best trust signal.
The three common models
Advertising, selling user data, and freemium. These are very different things. The first two make you pay for the product in a different currency; the third leaves the core function open and charges for advanced capability.
Why field data is sensitive
A survey file shows where your client's land is, when it was measured and what is planned there. That is not ordinary usage data. This is why a field app's privacy policy should be written in specific sentences rather than general ones.
MapLab Survey's model
Freemium. The measurement, drawing, coordinate transformation and export needed for everyday field work are free. Advanced tools, professional workflows and extra features come with the Pro version. Measurements are stored on the device by default, cloud sync is optional, and survey data is never sold or shared.
What to look for
Is the core function locked, is export restricted, is an account mandatory, is the privacy policy specific. The answers to those four questions describe the model behind a product more clearly than its pricing page does.
Transparency is itself a feature
A product that states plainly what is free, what is paid and what happens to your data is more trustworthy than one that leaves those vague. Vagueness is usually not a sign of bad intent, but it is a sign of a bad model.
Try these steps on your own phone.
MapLab Survey handles RTK/GNSS point capture, drawing, area and volume calculations and coordinate conversion, then exports to DXF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoPackage, NCZ or CSV. Capture, calculation and export work offline. Live NTRIP corrections and online basemaps need a connection.
Frequently asked questions
Why is MapLab Survey free?
A freemium model; core field work is free and advanced features are in Pro.
Is survey data sold?
No, survey data is never sold or shared.
Is an account required?
No, you can work without registering; cloud sync is optional.
Are there ads?
The app is built around the field workflow, not around showing ads.
Technical references
The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.
Related: What a free app does · Data ownership and lock-in · Field GIS software cost · MapLab Survey