Sometimes it is wanted to have a dedicated GPS recorder, for several reasons:

• smallest memory footprint: no traces visualization and management.
• powerful recording feature: free from the UI limitation from Traces app, possible to create a real time speed chart, follow a planned trajectory, etc.
• different map: no trace visualization means less dependency on map SDK, possible to have different map support.

Traces Recorder is created for these reasons. Saved GPX files are still in the iCloud Drive, same folder as Traces, which can import the files without a hassle. It can be used standalone. But it is best served along with Traces.