OnX makes three different apps — Offroad, Hunt, and Backcountry — and Google traffic shows a lot of confusion about which one you actually need. Some people buy Hunt for overlanding because it was the first OnX product they heard of. Some buy Backcountry for hiking, then realize Offroad has better trail data for the roads they’re driving to the trailhead. And a lot of people end up paying for two subscriptions when one — or a bundle — would have covered everything.
This post cuts through it: what each app is designed for, what it actually does well, when to buy each one, and how the bundle pricing works so you don’t overpay.
If you want the broader landscape covering Gaia, Trailforks, and The Dyrt too, our Best GPS Apps for Overlanding pillar guide is the wider read. This post is the narrow OnX-ecosystem breakdown.
TL;DR — Which OnX Do You Actually Need?
| Your primary activity | Buy this OnX |
|---|---|
| Off-roading in a Jeep, truck, UTV, or SUV | OnX Offroad |
| Hunting (any species, any state) | OnX Hunt |
| Backcountry hiking, backpacking, or skiing | OnX Backcountry |
| Two or more of the above | Get whichever is your primary, then use the bundle discount to add the others |
| You mostly drive to trailheads and hike from them | Start with Offroad — its trail database includes many hiking trails |
| You occasionally do multiple sports but nothing seriously | Just pick your primary. Don’t over-buy. |
One-line answer for a Jeep Wrangler owner: OnX Offroad is the right first buy. It’s designed for driving trails, has 650,000+ off-road routes mapped, and includes CarPlay/Android Auto. Add Hunt or Backcountry only if you actually hunt or do serious backcountry sports.
The Three Apps in One Paragraph Each
OnX Offroad is for driving off-road — dirt roads, four-wheel-drive trails, jeep tracks, expedition routes. The core value is the trail database: 650,000+ pre-mapped off-road trails with difficulty ratings, seasonal status, and community reports. Layered on top of that: land ownership boundaries (so you know when you’re crossing onto private land) and CarPlay/Android Auto integration (so you’re navigating from the vehicle head unit, not the phone). Cost: $34.99/yr Premium, $99.99/yr Elite.
OnX Hunt is for hunting — primarily big-game hunting in the western U.S., but useable for any species. The core value is the private-land ownership overlay (essential for legal hunting) and species-specific data like elk/mule deer habitat, migration patterns, and public-land access filters. Hunter safety-focused features like waypoints, treestand markers, tracking, and weather overlays are the buying draw. Cost: $34.99/yr (single state) up to $99.99/yr (all 50 states).
OnX Backcountry is for human-powered backcountry travel — hiking, backpacking, backcountry skiing, snowboarding. The core value is trail data for hiking + skiing terrain, avalanche forecasts, slope-angle shading, and 3D terrain visualization. Backcountry Elite includes avalanche-specific tools (slope angle, forecast integration) that pure hiking users don’t need. Cost: $34.99/yr Premium, $99.99/yr Elite.
Comparison Table
| Feature | OnX Offroad | OnX Hunt | OnX Backcountry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Vehicle-based off-roading | Big-game hunting | Human-powered outdoor rec |
| Trail database | 650,000+ off-road trails | Trail data + hunting overlays | Trail data + slope/snow layers |
| Land ownership overlays | Yes | Yes (flagship feature) | Yes |
| CarPlay / Android Auto | Yes (Elite) | Yes | No (human-powered focus) |
| Species-specific data | No | Yes (elk, mule deer, migration) | No |
| Avalanche + slope angle | No | No | Yes (Elite) |
| Weather overlays | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offline maps | Yes (Elite) | Yes | Yes (Elite) |
| Multi-state coverage | Nationwide | Per-state or 50-state tier | Nationwide |
| Base price | $34.99–$99.99/yr | $34.99–$99.99/yr | $34.99–$99.99/yr |
Which OnX Is Right for Your Use Case?
If you drive a Jeep Wrangler → OnX Offroad
The trail database is the entire buying case. If you drive established off-road trails, OnX Offroad has them pre-mapped with metadata (difficulty, direction, seasonality, community reports). This is much better than trying to plan the same trip in a general-purpose mapping app.
The CarPlay integration matters more than it seems. Off-road driving requires attention outside the vehicle; looking down at a phone at the wrong moment is a real safety issue. Full navigation on the head unit changes the calculus.
You don’t need Hunt or Backcountry unless you’re actually hunting or backcountry hiking. Adding a $99.99 subscription “just in case” is money left on the table.
If you hunt (in any capacity) → OnX Hunt
Hunt is OnX’s original product and the most feature-complete of the three. Private-land boundaries with property owner names, species-specific habitat data, weather + wind direction overlays, treestand markers — this is a serious hunting tool.
If you hunt in only one state, the single-state tier ($34.99/yr) is a great deal. If you travel to hunt or plan multi-state trips, the 50-state tier ($99.99/yr) is worth it.
The Hunt app has less overlap with Offroad than most buyers assume. You can drive to your hunt using Hunt, but the trail database is thinner than Offroad’s, and CarPlay integration is different. If you’re hunting and off-roading heavily, consider both.
If you backcountry ski or hike serious terrain → OnX Backcountry
Backcountry Elite has one killer feature: real-time slope-angle shading. Combined with avalanche forecast integration, this is a legitimate safety tool for winter backcountry travel — not just a nice-to-have.
For summer hiking, Backcountry is fine but doesn’t beat cheaper alternatives like AllTrails. For backcountry skiing, snowboarding, or ski mountaineering, the safety features justify the price.
If you do two or three of these things → Get the bundle
OnX offers meaningful bundle pricing across their apps. If you want Offroad + Hunt, or Offroad + Backcountry, the second app is discounted heavily compared to full price. Check OnX’s current bundle offer at onxmaps.com — they change periodically.
For a lot of buyers, Offroad + Backcountry is the sweet-spot bundle: you cover both “drive to the trailhead” and “hike or ski from the trailhead” in one purchase.
Common Overpaying Mistakes
Mistake 1: Buying OnX Hunt for overlanding
The most common. People hear “OnX” and buy Hunt because it’s the flagship. But if you’re not hunting, you’re paying for private-land data that doesn’t matter to you, and missing the trail database that does.
Correct answer: Buy OnX Offroad instead. Same company, better fit.
Mistake 2: Buying two apps when the bundle costs less
Full price for OnX Offroad Elite ($99.99) + OnX Hunt 50-state ($99.99) = $199.98. The bundle price is meaningfully less than that (check current bundle pricing at OnX).
Correct answer: Always price the bundle before buying two subscriptions.
Mistake 3: Getting OnX Elite when Premium is enough
Elite adds CarPlay/Android Auto, higher-resolution offline maps, and some advanced layers. Premium is fine for casual users.
Correct answer: Start with Premium. Upgrade to Elite if you actually use CarPlay integration or need advanced offline features.
OnX vs Gaia — Should I Get One or Both?
The most common “which app” question isn’t between OnX products — it’s between OnX and Gaia GPS.
Short answer: buy OnX first if you’re a first-time overlander, add Gaia later if you outgrow it. If you’re serious about backcountry route planning or need advanced map layers (weather, historical fires, avalanche zones), start with Gaia.
For the full head-to-head comparison, see our OnX Offroad vs Gaia GPS post or the broader GPS Apps for Overlanding pillar.
FAQ
Can I use OnX Hunt for overlanding?
Technically yes, but the trail database is thinner than OnX Offroad’s, and you’re paying for hunting-specific features (species data, weather+wind overlays) that don’t help while off-roading. Get Offroad if overlanding is your primary use.
Do OnX apps share offline maps between products?
No. Each OnX product (Offroad, Hunt, Backcountry) has its own offline map cache. Downloading an offline area in Hunt doesn’t make it available in Offroad.
Is the OnX bundle worth it?
If you use two or three OnX apps regularly, yes — the bundle price is meaningfully less than paying for each separately. If you only use one, don’t bundle.
Does OnX Backcountry replace AllTrails?
For casual day hiking, no — AllTrails has better community reviews and a bigger user base. For backcountry skiing, avalanche-focused route planning, or 3D terrain analysis, OnX Backcountry Elite is a significant upgrade over AllTrails.
Is OnX Hunt legal to use anywhere?
Yes — OnX Hunt is a mapping tool, not a hunting license. You still need to comply with all state/local hunting regulations regardless of what app you’re using.
What’s the difference between OnX Offroad Premium and Elite?
Elite adds CarPlay/Android Auto full navigation, higher-resolution offline maps, and access to all map layers. Premium is fine for casual off-roading; Elite is the right tier for serious overlanders.
Should I get OnX or Gaia GPS?
Depends on how you overland. OnX for a trail-focused, driving-heavy approach with minimal setup. Gaia for a mapping-first, planning-heavy approach with more flexibility. See the full OnX vs Gaia comparison.
Final Recommendation
For a Jeep Wrangler owner who wants one OnX product: OnX Offroad. Elite tier if you value the CarPlay integration; Premium if you’re testing the waters.
For a hunter who also overlands: Buy Hunt as your primary, add Offroad via bundle.
For a serious backcountry skier who also overlands: Buy Backcountry as your primary, add Offroad via bundle.
The mistake to avoid: paying for two OnX subscriptions at full price without checking the bundle. OnX bundle pricing is real and meaningful — always compare before you buy the second app.
Related Reading
- Best GPS Apps for Overlanding (2026) — Full 5-app comparison including Gaia, Trailforks, The Dyrt, Outside+
- OnX Offroad vs Gaia GPS — Head-to-head with the other market leader
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