Trailforks vs MTB Project: Which Trail App Should You Use?
Trailforks and MTB Project are the two legacy names in mountain bike trail apps, and riders comparing them are usually asking the same underlying question: which app should I trust to find and ride trails? Here is an honest breakdown of both — and where RidePal, the newer MTB-first alternative, fits in.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Main strengths | Tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trailforks | Riders in regions with an active Trailforks community. | Deep legacy trail history, regional trail reports and status, established contributor base in strong regions. | Busier interface; the full experience typically sits behind a subscription; ride tracking feels secondary. |
| MTB Project | Riders who want a guidebook-style trail reference. | Curated route descriptions, photos, elevation profiles, offline-friendly trail info. | Coverage and freshness vary by region; less focused on tracking, community progression, and post-ride tools. |
| RidePal | Riders who want one modern app for the whole ride. | 600,000+ MTB trails, US coverage that is now broadly on par with Trailforks and stronger in some riding areas, 3D maps, offline navigation, GPS ride tracking, photos, reviews, bike parks, rider community — free to download. | Newer than the legacy platforms, so some local report history is still building in international regions. |
Trailforks vs MTB Project: the head-to-head
Database depth. Trailforks generally has the deeper and more actively maintained database, especially in regions with a strong local scene. MTB Project leans curated: fewer trails, but classic routes often come with fuller guidebook-style descriptions.
Trail conditions. Trailforks' trail reports are its signature feature — in active regions they can tell you whether a trail is riding well this week. MTB Project is not built around frequent condition updates, so its pages can age.
Offline use. Both support offline reference. Trailforks ties offline access to its region and subscription model; MTB Project's offline trail info is simpler but more static.
Price. MTB Project has traditionally been free. Trailforks typically requires a subscription to unlock its full experience — check current pricing for details.
Verdict. If you must pick between the two: choose Trailforks in a region with an active report culture; choose MTB Project if you want a free, simple guidebook for established classics.
The catch: both are trail references, not ride apps
Both Trailforks and MTB Project were designed around a database you consult. Neither is really built around the ride itself — planning, navigating, tracking, reviewing, and progressing in one place.
That is the gap RidePal was built to fill:
- Find — search 600,000+ MTB trails with difficulty, distance, elevation, photos, and reviews.
- Ride — 3D maps and offline navigation, no region-download juggling.
- Track — GPS ride tracking with stats, route replay, and ride history.
- Progress — badges, rankings, jump tracking where supported, and a rider profile.
- Contribute — submit missing trails, photos, and edits in-app or through the web Trail Contribution Portal; tens of thousands of rider submissions keep the map current.
RidePal is free to download on iOS and Android.
RidePal App
The modern alternative to both.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trailforks or MTB Project better?
Between those two legacy tools, Trailforks generally wins on database depth and trail reports in active regions. MTB Project wins on simple, free, guidebook-style route research. Neither is strong as a ride tracker — that is where a modern MTB app like RidePal comes in.
Is there a free alternative to Trailforks?
Yes. MTB Project is traditionally free, and RidePal is free to download on iOS and Android with trail maps, discovery, offline navigation, and GPS ride tracking included.
Which app has the most mountain bike trails?
Trailforks has the deepest legacy database of the two incumbents. RidePal maps 600,000+ MTB trails worldwide, is now broadly on par with Trailforks in the US for many riders and stronger in some riding areas, and grows through rider submissions and hundreds of weekly updates.
Can one app replace both Trailforks and MTB Project?
For most riders, yes. RidePal combines the trail database role (maps, difficulty, elevation, photos, reviews) with the ride role (offline navigation, GPS tracking, stats, replay, progression) in one free app.
Bottom line
Trailforks vs MTB Project is a fair fight between two trail references: database depth versus guidebook simplicity. But if you are choosing a trail app in the first place, try the one built around the whole ride.
Download RidePal free for iOS or Android.