How do Noma and Polarsteps compare?
| Feature | Noma | Polarsteps |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 16.4+) and web app; no Android app | iPhone (iOS 17+) and Android |
| Price | $4.99/month or $29.99/year | Plus on the US App Store: $9.99/month or $34.99 to $44.99/year |
| Free tier | No. 7-day free trial | Yes. Planning, tracking and sharing stay free |
| Trip planning | Chat with AI, get an editable day-by-day itinerary | Stays, activities and transport per leg |
| AI | AI planner by chat, included | AI itinerary planner |
| Visited-countries map | Private map and passport against 243 countries and territories | Travel stats with countries visited |
| GPS route tracking | No | Automatic route tracking |
| Booking import | Forward tickets or PDFs on WhatsApp; no email import | Not listed on their site |
| Sharing | Invite companions or share a view-only link | Friends and family follow along; choose who sees each trip |
| Offline | No offline maps | Works offline and keeps tracking |
| Printed book | No | Travel Books (price not listed on their site) |
Polarsteps details come from their own site and App Store listing, checked 2 November 2026. Prices change; follow the sources below for the current ones.
Should you use Noma or Polarsteps?
Choose Noma if
- You want a private record of countries, regions, cities and places, without posting to followers.
- You want AI to draft a day-by-day plan from your dates, pace, interests and budget.
- You want booking PDFs and tickets stored with each trip.
Choose Polarsteps if
- You want your route recorded by GPS without typing anything. Noma does not track location.
- You travel off-grid and need the app to work offline.
- You want family to follow your trip and a printed Travel Book at the end.
- You want a free app. Polarsteps keeps planning, tracking and sharing free.
Questions people ask
- Is Polarsteps free?
- Yes. Polarsteps says planning, tracking and sharing stay free. Polarsteps Plus adds 3D maps, step stats and more Travel Buddies, at $9.99 a month or $34.99 to $44.99 a year on the US App Store.
- What is a Polarsteps alternative without GPS tracking?
- Noma does not track your location. You mark the countries, regions, cities and places you have visited yourself, and the map stays private.
- Does Noma track my route like Polarsteps?
- No. Noma has no GPS route tracking. Polarsteps tracks your route automatically and says it typically uses less than 4% battery a day.