Globetrotter, a new app developed by indie creator Shihab Mehboob, caters to avid travelers seeking a comprehensive solution to document and relive their journeys. The location-based travel photos app not only allows users to reminisce about past trips but also facilitates the sharing of travel memories and statistics on various social platforms, including Instagram. An enticing feature, named “2023 Wrapped,” mirrors the concept of Spotify Wrapped, presenting a year-in-review format showcasing users’ travel adventures for the year.
Mehboob, previously known for running the third-party Twitter client Aviary and contributing to the Mastodon app Mammoth, found inspiration for Globetrotter from his love of capturing moments during his travels. Recognizing the need for a tool that aids in revisiting travel memories, he created an app that uniquely combines functionality and user-friendly design.
Globetrotter’s highlights encompass global and U.S. travel metrics, such as the percentage of the world visited and a breakdown of continents and countries explored. The app features a scratch map enabling users to visually track the countries they’ve visited and a shareable card of travel metrics for Instagram Stories.
To facilitate reminiscing, the memories page resurfaces old photos from past travels, offering a stroll down memory lane. Users can share these memories, enhancing the social aspect of the app. Additionally, a map displays pinned photos, allowing users to track their visited countries and U.S. states. Flags and Apple Maps 3D Landmarks are collected as users explore new destinations, creating a visually engaging experience.
The app introduces a competitive element through a travel leaderboard, where users can add friends and compare their travel statistics. An emphasis on privacy is maintained, as Globetrotter assures users that no location data is sent to its servers—all operations occur on the device, and the app avoids third-party APIs to prevent data leaks.
Globetrotter offers subscription tiers, starting at $2.99 for one week or $29.99 for one year, with a free one-week trial. For frequent travelers committed to the app, a lifetime one-time purchase option is available at $79.99. The app, compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, is a free download and includes additional features like widgets, Siri Shortcuts support, LookAround in Maps, AR photo viewing, and more.
