VSChecked 20 October 2026
Mapfloors vs Mapsted
Mapsted is best known for blue-dot positioning that runs on phone sensors without beacons, with proximity marketing and analytics built on top. Mapfloors takes a different approach: a GIS underneath, open exports on every plan, and live operational data on the map.
| Topic | Mapsted | Mapfloors |
|---|---|---|
| Open exportsSource: mapsted.com, Apple Indoor Maps and Indoor Experience Platform pages | IMDF output for Apple Maps, and analytics as CSV. We found no documented way to export map data yourself. | Most common formats, including IMDF, GeoJSON, GeoPackage and Shapefile, on every plan, whether we manage the map or you do. |
| Accessible and turn-by-turn routingSource: mapsted.com/accessibility; developer.mapsted.com, Mobile SDK | Routes avoid stairs, steps and escalators, with audio turn-by-turn directions, speech-to-text search and high-contrast display. | Step-free routing on every plan, plus low-stimulus and avoid-crowds options. |
| Building the first mapSource: mapsted.com, Indoor Experience Platform page | Mapsted digitises your floor plans in its CMS, and its mapping team surveys sites that have no drawings. | Our mapping team builds your first map as part of onboarding, from whatever drawings you have. |
| Map creation inputsSource: mapsted.com, Indoor Mapping CMS and Indoor Maps pages | Uploaded floor plans (formats aren’t listed), or an on-site survey using Mapsted’s SLAM mapping. | DWG, DXF, vector or scanned PDFs and images, and IFC and Revit exports. |
| Importing your own geodataSource: mapsted.com, OEM platform page | A read-write REST API for floor plans and points of interest is described for OEM partners. We found no IMDF or GeoJSON import. | Import IMDF, GeoJSON and GeoPackage on every plan. |
| Outdoor and GIS contextSource: mapsted.com, Indoor Navigation and Indoor Maps pages | Outdoor-to-indoor navigation across multi-building sites, georeferenced to OpenStreetMap, with Google and Apple Maps supported. | Built on Atlas GIS: your own basemaps, outdoor paths and routes that start at the street. |
| Syncing external dataSource: developer.mapsted.com, Analytics API; mapsted.com, Mapsted Badge page | Location data comes from Mapsted’s own positioning and IoT badges, and leaves through real-time and CSV analytics APIs. Inbound feeds such as webhooks aren’t documented. | Live updates through webhooks and MQTT, or a sync on whatever schedule you need, on every plan. |
| AI agentsSource: mapsted.com, Uplift page; developer.mapsted.com | No MCP server found at the time of checking. Its Uplift product uses an AI agent to recommend retail merchandising changes. | An MCP server with live occupancy, bookings and closures, and actions such as booking a room, within the permissions you set. |
| After launchSource: mapsted.com, Indoor Mapping CMS and Indoor Experience Platform pages | Your team edits in Manage CMS, and changes publish to web, mobile and kiosks within minutes. | Choose managed updates or self-management. Both run on the same editor, so switching needs no migration. |
Based on Mapsted’s public website and developer documentation on 20 October 2026. Products change; if something here is out of date, tell us and we’ll correct it.
To be fair
When Mapsted might be the better fit
- A blue dot without beacons, Wi-Fi access points or other installed hardware, with 1–5 m accuracy claimed.
- Strong accessibility features: audio turn-by-turn directions, speech-to-text search and high-contrast modes.
- A broad mobile SDK range: iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter and Ionic/Cordova, with offline maps.
- Proximity marketing and push campaigns built in, for venues that sell to visitors.
- Staff safety hardware: badges with real-time tracking and an SOS button.
- A large patent portfolio: more than 110 approved patents, by Mapsted’s count.
Moving from another platform?
Mapfloors imports IMDF and GeoJSON, so maps you’ve already built don’t have to be redrawn.