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Top 20 Location and Maps SDKs Used in iOS Apps on the Apple App Store
Last update: 24 Sep 2023 CET
App Store

Top 20 Location and Maps SDKs Used in iOS Apps on the Apple App Store

We at 42matters have identified the 20 most popular Location and Maps SDKs leveraged by iOS apps available on the iOS app market.

Location and Map SDKs help developers leverage location-based services, like mapping, navigation, and geolocation, for their mobile apps, without having to build them from scratch. This may include things like maps, geocoding, routing, and other location-based services.

This list is based on our analysis of the millions of mobile applications – and the 2,300+ SDKs they use – that constitute the vast inventory of the Apple App Store. The accompanying data provides readers with a glimpse into the rich mobile application insights generated by the 42matters technology. This data is also available via our APIs, file dumps, Explorer, and SDK Explorer.

The intended purpose of this article is to assist app builders in their search for the perfect Location and Maps SDK to leverage in their app, as well as to give SDK developers insight into their biggest competitors and potential customers. This data collected by our technology may also serve as a useful tool for folks researching the wider mobile app market.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 83.38% have integrated Apple MapKit. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Total Apps
415.23k
App Store
App Share
83.38%
App Store
Apps
392.43k
Games
22.80k
Total Downloads
164.32b
App Store
Download Share
93.07%
App Store
App Downloads
133.31b
Game Downloads
31.01b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple MapKit.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 26.14% have integrated Google Maps. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

The Google Maps Platform is a set of APIs and SDKs that allows developers to embed Google Maps into mobile apps and web pages, or to retrieve data from Google Maps.

Total Apps
172.00k
App Store
App Share
26.14%
App Store
Apps
171.50k
Games
497
Total Downloads
25.59b
App Store
Download Share
14.49%
App Store
App Downloads
25.58b
Game Downloads
12.70m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Google Maps.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 5.89% have integrated AMap. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

AMap is an accurate and professional mobile map SDK. It has comprehensive and accurate location information, bus driving route planning, characteristic voice navigation, business group buying, and preferential information.

Total Apps
30.76k
App Store
App Share
5.89%
App Store
Apps
30.62k
Games
142
Total Downloads
10.57b
App Store
Download Share
5.98%
App Store
App Downloads
10.06b
Game Downloads
506.18m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use AMap.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 4.98% have integrated Gaode AMap. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Gaode Map SDK is an SDK used for geocoding.

Total Apps
25.19k
App Store
App Share
4.98%
App Store
Apps
25.14k
Games
55
Total Downloads
7.02b
App Store
Download Share
3.98%
App Store
App Downloads
6.57b
Game Downloads
452.87m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Gaode AMap.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 4.65% have integrated Baidu Maps. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Baidu Maps is a desktop and mobile web mapping service application and SDK provided by Baidu. It offers satellite imagery, street maps, street view, and indoor view perspectives, as well as functions such as a route planner for traveling by foot, car, or with public transportation.

Total Apps
16.24k
App Store
App Share
4.65%
App Store
Apps
16.22k
Games
14
Total Downloads
3.46b
App Store
Download Share
1.96%
App Store
App Downloads
3.46b
Game Downloads
91.83k

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Baidu Maps.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 1.48% have integrated Mapbox. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Mapbox is an open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.

Total Apps
10.86k
App Store
App Share
1.48%
App Store
Apps
10.82k
Games
38
Total Downloads
5.44b
App Store
Download Share
3.08%
App Store
App Downloads
5.43b
Game Downloads
4.60m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Mapbox.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 3.32% have integrated INTULocationManager. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

The LocationManager SDK makes it easy to get a device's current location. It's currently heading on iOS. It's an Objective-C library that works great in Swift.

Total Apps
6.13k
App Store
App Share
3.32%
App Store
Apps
6.10k
Games
24
Total Downloads
1.46b
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
1.44b
Game Downloads
16.88m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use INTULocationManager.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Yandex Map Kit. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Yandex Map Kit is an SDK library that allows you to use Yandex map data and technologies in mobile applications.

Total Apps
2.56k
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
2.56k
Games
0
Total Downloads
750.29m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
750.29m
Game Downloads
0

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Yandex Map Kit.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Kakao API. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Kakao API is a multi-platform texting SDK that allows iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry apps to send and receive messages for free.

Total Apps
2.46k
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
2.37k
Games
99
Total Downloads
1.28b
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
1.19b
Game Downloads
90.41m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Kakao API.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Location. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Location is a Software Development Kit (SDK) that offers background location update programming over an extended period of time. It works for both iOS 7 and iOS 8.

Total Apps
1.50k
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
1.49k
Games
9
Total Downloads
63.99m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
62.98m
Game Downloads
1.01m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Location.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Route-Me. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Route-Me is an open source map library SDK that runs natively on iOS. It's designed to look and feel much like the inbuilt iOS map library, but it's entirely open, and works with any map source.

Total Apps
1.05k
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
1.05k
Games
2
Total Downloads
15.37m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
15.26m
Game Downloads
101.38k

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Route-Me.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated BSForwardGeocoder. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

The BSForwardGeocoder SDK supports reverse geocoding out of the box. Reverse geocoding means you have a coordinate and want to find out where you are located; for instance, the name of the street you are on. Forward geocoding means you know the name of a location and want to find the coordinates.

Total Apps
662
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
662
Games
0
Total Downloads
4.05m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
4.05m
Game Downloads
0

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use BSForwardGeocoder.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated ArcGIS Esri. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

ArcGIS provides contextual tools for mapping and spatial reasoning so you can explore data and share location-based insights.

Total Apps
510
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
509
Games
1
Total Downloads
26.97m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
26.97m
Game Downloads
644

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use ArcGIS Esri.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Colocator. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Colocator provides an end-to-end solution for positioning, location data gathering, processing, and visualization.

Total Apps
484
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
484
Games
0
Total Downloads
4.59m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
4.59m
Game Downloads
0

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Colocator.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated CMMapLauncher. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

CMMapLauncher is a mini-library SDK for iOS that makes it quick and easy to show directions in various mapping applications.

Total Apps
426
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
426
Games
0
Total Downloads
17.88m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
17.88m
Game Downloads
0

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use CMMapLauncher.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Kontakt.io. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Kontakt.io is an SDK that helps you reduce the complexity and costs of capturing and processing location and sensor data.

Total Apps
397
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
397
Games
0
Total Downloads
12.14m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
12.14m
Game Downloads
0

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Kontakt.io.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Carto Mobile Maps. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Total Apps
291
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
291
Games
0
Total Downloads
230.45m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
230.45m
Game Downloads
0

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Carto Mobile Maps.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Radar.io. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Radar.io is the easiest location data platform SDK for startups. It offers developer-friendly, privacy-first geofencing and geo APIs that help product and growth teams build amazing location-based app experiences.

Total Apps
202
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
201
Games
1
Total Downloads
613.76m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
613.46m
Game Downloads
297.35k

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Radar.io.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated FlyBuy by Radius Networks. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

Total Apps
199
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
199
Games
0
Total Downloads
353.73m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
353.73m
Game Downloads
0

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use FlyBuy by Radius Networks.

Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Beaconsinspace. This accounts for 88% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.

BeaconsInSpace is a marketplace SDK for app developers to access iBeacon infrastructure. It offers a simple API that provides developers with access to beacons placed in high-traffic establishments in major cities.

Total Apps
151
App Store
App Share
<1%
App Store
Apps
145
Games
6
Total Downloads
4.60m
App Store
Download Share
<1%
App Store
App Downloads
2.08m
Game Downloads
2.52m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Beaconsinspace.

Browse iOS and Android SDKs With the SDK Explorer

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  • New Installations and Removals HistoryNew Installations and Removals History

    Analyze installation and removal trends for SDKs. Discover which apps have removed or integrated specific SDKs in a given timeframe.

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    See which app categories or genres are most likely to use specific SDKs. Detect SDK market share per category.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does 42matters collect this data?'

We’ve developed a number of machine learning algorithms that scan millions of mobile and connected TV (CTV) applications on a regular basis. In addition, we collect ground truth app performance intelligence and use this data to build statistical models that estimate the performance of apps for which we do not have ground truth data.

What SDK data does 42matters collect?'

We track over 2,300 of the most popular SDKs integrated in iOS and Android apps. We collect a variety of SDK insights (title, platform, ID, category, and developer website); performance metrics (the number of apps that have installed each SDK, installation and removal trends, and app downloads); market share statistics (including market share per app category); and more!

How can I access 42matters’ SDK data?'

The most direct way is to use our SDK Explorer, which is a visual, web-based research platform that enables you to peruse all 2,300+ SDKs that we track. It’s great for market research, lead generation, competitor analysis, etc. However, more technically-inclined folks might prefer our APIs and File Dumps, which enable you to query info for specific apps or SDKs. You can also use our other research platforms (the Explorer and App Watchlist) to view integrated SDKs by app.

Can I use 42matters’ solutions to generate app publisher leads?'

Absolutely! We actually wrote about this on our blog. We focused on ad network SDKs, but the examples are applicable to most SDK types. To summarize, you can use the Explorer’s advanced filtering capabilities to home in on best-fit app publishers, leverage the SDK Explorer to see which apps use your competitors’ SDKs, and use our APIs and file dumps to build custom lead generation processes.

What data does 42matters provide on mobile apps?'

A ton! We track 17+ million apps across Google Play, the Apple App Store, Amazon Appstore, Tencent MyApp, and Huawei AppGallery. Our solutions provide access to app details (developer insights, metadata, ASO keywords, contact information, etc.); performance metrics (downloads, MAUs, ratings, reviews, top chart rankings, etc.); technical insights (integrated SDKs, permissions, required capabilities, etc.); content details (categories, genres, IAB categories, content ratings, etc.); compliance information (app-ads.txt, privacy policies, store status, etc.) and much, much more!

Can I use 42matters’ solutions to find SDKs for my app?'

Definitely. The SDK Explorer enables you to sort SDKs by category, identify similar SDKs, analyze SDK reliability, and more. In addition, you can use the App Watchlist and Explorer to monitor your competitors, including which SDKs they add and remove, their current tech stacks, and SDK changelogs. This means you use our solutions not only to find the right SDK for a particular purpose, but also which SDKs you might need to keep up with your rivals.