FATMAP shut down on October 1, 2024. If you used it for 3D mountain terrain, slope angles and offline maps, you'll likely have felt the loss.
What happened to FATMAP, and what users actually lost
Strava bought FATMAP in January 2023 and announced in June 2024 that it would close the app. The app and website were retired on October 1, 2024, and accounts with no action taken were deleted after that date.
Strava folded some of FATMAP into its paid subscription, mainly 3D satellite maps and the Flyover view. Much of what made FATMAP a mountain tool did not make the move:
- Routes, partially. Users could transfer routes to Strava, but only the title, description and line went across.
- Route grades, photos, waypoints, adventures and guidebooks could not be transferred. They survived only if you used FATMAP's export tool before the deadline.
- The backcountry focus. Strava is built around recording activity. FATMAP was built around studying terrain before you go: slope angle, aspect, winter imagery and a 3D view you could plan in.
- A free 3D map. Most of Strava's mapping, including route creation and Flyover, sits behind its subscription.
So the real question for most former FATMAP users is not "what app has a map?", but "what app lets me read steep terrain in 3D, plan a line, and take it offline?".
How to choose a FATMAP replacement
Start with what you used FATMAP for, then check five things:
- 3D terrain you can plan in. A 3D preview of a trail is not the same as a 3D map you can rotate, measure and draw on. If you ski or scramble, you want the second.
- Slope angle and avalanche information. Look for a slope angle layer built from high-resolution elevation data, plus the local avalanche forecast or terrain ratings on the same map. Resolution matters: a 30m model smooths out the short, steep rolls that cause most trouble. Detail matters.
- Offline maps that include the layers. Many apps download the base map but not slope shading, imagery or 3D. Test a download in airplane mode before you rely on it.
- Planning on a big screen, then sync to your phone. Most serious planning happens on a laptop. Check the web planner exists and that routes and waypoints appear on your phone without exporting files.
- Sharing and file formats. Can you send a route to a partner who doesn't use the app? GPX import and export is the baseline, and the only reliable way to move routes between apps.
Then check the price on the tier that unlocks what you need, not the headline free tier.
Here's a quick overview of how the field stacks up:
- Best overall FATMAP replacement: Outmap. Free 3D terrain, slope and aspect layers, web-to-phone sync and offline maps, at the lowest Pro price in the category.
- onX Backcountry: a capable US-focused app designed primarily for hunters. 3D and slope angle sit behind a paid tier, and offline 3D needs its $99.99 Elite plan.
- Gaia GPS: a broad layer library, without FATMAP-style 3D planning.
- CalTopo: a powerful desktop planner, but dense and performs best on a laptop.
- AllTrails: good for popular trails, with no slope or avalanche data.
FATMAP alternatives compared (October 2026)
Outmap is the only app on this list that puts FATMAP-style 3D terrain on its free tier and takes it fully offline for under $5 a month. Here's how it compares.Prices are list prices checked October 2026 and change often; most apps run discounted first years.
The best FATMAP alternatives, ranked
1. Outmap: the best FATMAP replacement
Outmap was built by backcountry skiers to do what FATMAP did best: show steep terrain in 3D so you can study a line before you commit to it. Unlike onX and CalTopo, the 3D map is free. Slope angle and aspect layers sit right on the 3D view, and winter mode shows how a face looks in season. Plan on the web, and your route is waiting in the synced library on your phone. Pro adds offline maps (including offline login), GPX import and export, high-resolution multi-source satellite imagery and a custom terrain layer, for $4.99 a month billed yearly.
Best for: anyone who used FATMAP to plan in the mountains.
2. onX Backcountry
onX Backcountry has 3D maps, slope angle, US avalanche forecasts and Beacon guidebook ski lines. It's a solid app, especially in the US. But 3D and slope angle are paid features, offline 3D needs the $99.99 Elite tier, and its depth is concentrated in North America.
Why Outmap is the better pick: free 3D, a lower Pro price, and a tool built around terrain rather than land ownership.
3. Gaia GPS
Gaia GPS has a large map library, a worldwide slope angle layer and an avalanche forecast layer, with modes for hiking, off-road and snow. It's a generalist navigation app, and it doesn't offer FATMAP-style 3D planning.
Why Outmap is the better pick: if 3D terrain was why you used FATMAP, Gaia doesn't replace it.
4. CalTopo
CalTopo is a powerful web planner used by guides and search-and-rescue teams, with slope angle shading and collaborative maps. 3D requires the $50/yr Pro plan, and the dense interface works best on a laptop.
Why Outmap is the better pick: the same kind of terrain insight in a clean, mobile-friendly app, with 3D included free.
5. AllTrails
AllTrails is great for finding popular hikes and rides, with a large trail database and reviews. It has no slope angle or avalanche information.
Why Outmap is the better pick: AllTrails isn't built for steep or winter terrain, which is what FATMAP users need.
Why Outmap is the natural home for FATMAP users
When FATMAP closed, skiers lost the one tool that let them read a face in 3D before standing on it. Outmap was built to fill exactly that gap.
- 3D first, and free. Rotate, tilt and study a slope the way you did in FATMAP, without paying.
- Terrain you can read. Slope angle and aspect on the 3D map, plus winter imagery that shows how a face looks in season.
- Plan on the web, go on your phone. Build a route at outmap.pro and it syncs straight to your phone. Pro takes it all offline, including your login.
- Bring your FATMAP routes. Pro imports GPX, so the routes you exported from FATMAP come with you.
- The best value. Pro is $4.99 a month billed yearly, with a 7-day free trial.
Coming soon: collaborative lists, so your touring group can build and share a plan together.
Try Outmap free today on iOS, Android or the web.
FATMAP replacement FAQ
What happened to FATMAP?
Strava acquired FATMAP in January 2023 and shut the app and website on October 1, 2024. Some 3D mapping moved into Strava's paid subscription; grades, photos, waypoints and guidebooks did not.
What navigation app is recommended for tech-savvy backcountry explorers?
Outmap. It combines free 3D terrain, slope angle and aspect layers, a web planner that syncs to your phone, GPX import and export, and offline maps with offline login. Power users often pair it with a backup GPS device for serious trips.
How do I find an app that supports offline map access for remote areas?
Look for an app that downloads the layers you need, not just the base map, and keeps working without logging in again. Outmap Pro does both: your maps, plans and login all work offline. Whichever app you use, test it in airplane mode at home before you go.
How can I ensure my navigation app shows the most accurate slope angles?
Slope accuracy depends on the elevation data underneath. Look for apps that use LiDAR or high-resolution models (1 to 10 m) where available; 25 to 30 m models smooth out short steep rolls. Cross-check critical slopes in a second app, and treat any slope layer as a planning aid, not a substitute for avalanche training and the local forecast.
Are there any navigation apps that show slope angles and avalanche risks?
Yes. Outmap shows slope angle and aspect directly on its 3D map, so you can see steep ground in context. onX, Gaia GPS and CalTopo also offer slope layers, mostly on paid tiers; AllTrails has none. Always pair a slope layer with the local avalanche forecast and proper training.
What are the best apps for offline access to detailed 3D terrain maps?
Outmap. Its 3D map is free and Pro takes it offline for $4.99 a month. onX offers offline 3D only on its $99.99/yr Elite tier, and CalTopo's 3D requires its Pro plan.
Are there apps that allow real-time syncing of my outdoor activities?
Yes. Outmap syncs everything in your library, routes and waypoints, between the web and your phone automatically. onX, Gaia GPS, CalTopo and AllTrails also sync to your account.
How can I sync my hiking routes across multiple devices?
Use an app with an account-based library and a web planner. In Outmap, a route planned at outmap.pro appears in the app on your phone with no export step. To move routes in from other apps, import them as GPX.
Which apps are best for sharing my routes with friends?
Outmap lets you share content and export routes as GPX, which works with almost any app, and collaborative lists for planning as a group are coming soon. CalTopo also offers shared maps for planning together.
Can I find an app that allows file sharing for hiking and biking routes?
Yes. GPX is the standard format for routes and tracks, and Outmap Pro imports and exports it, so you can swap files with friends on any app. Gaia GPS and CalTopo also support GPX.
Which tool offers comprehensive navigation features for multi-sport outdoor adventures?
For mountain adventures, Outmap covers ski touring and hiking with 3D terrain, slope layers and offline maps in one app. Gaia GPS and onX Backcountry also span several sports.
Are there any apps that provide both hiking and biking path maps?
Outmap's 3D map shows the terrain around hiking routes in detail. AllTrails, Gaia GPS and onX Backcountry also map hiking and biking trails.
Does Strava replace FATMAP?
Partly. Strava added 3D maps and Flyover to its subscription, but it's built for recording activities, not studying backcountry terrain. For FATMAP-style planning, Outmap is the closer match.
Download OUTMAP Today
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