Navigation apps are being used by almost every smartphone owner. And while all Android phones (or most of them, at least) come with preinstalled Google Maps app, there are plenty of alternatives in the vast fields of Google Play. Some are free, some you have to pay for, but all 10 GPS apps on this list are popular for one reason or another. Bear in mind that Google Maps is not on this list, since it is offered as default navigation option and most users are already pretty familiar with it. Also, this is not a ranking list; apps are presented in alphabetical order. So, let’s cut to the chase and show you our list of 10 best GPS apps for Android.
BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS ($11.99)
While not free, BackCountry Navigator offers the option not available in most GPS apps. It offers you a large quantity of topographical maps that can be used offline, which can be highly useful for hikers and campers. A perfect solution when facing with network signal problems, or when you find yourself lost in the middle of the mountain. You can get a trial version before buying a full one, in order to see if the app has maps for your region.
CoPilot GPS (Free with in-app purchases)
CoPilot GPS has maps for almost the entire planet which can be downloaded and used offline. One of the best options it has is its ability to sync with you social network accounts in order to give you directions to events you checked to attend. Other interesting features are 3D guidance display and live traffic information. Downloading of the first map is free, for any additional maps you want to use buying license is needed.
GPS Essentials (Free)
This app is completely free and it offers you a range of usual options. One thing that’s making it different is dashboard feature that could show you a wide range of information such as Altitude, speed, date, distance, ETA, latitude, max speed, minimum speed, average speed, moon phase, etc. As you can see there are so many options that could really be overwhelming so it’s up to you which one you’ll use. It also offers Compass option, that can be useful for hikers, and it supports OpenStreetMap, MapQuest and Google Maps data.
GPS Navigation & Maps by Sygic (Free with in-app purchases)
One of the most popular offline navigation apps, Sygic offers quality, high definition maps of almost any country in the world provided by TomTom, along with other options like a choice between different navigation voices, live traffic information and speed limit display. Most maps are free, but additional features, mentioned above, are charged via in-app purchases.
Here Maps (Free)
A Windows Phone exclusive back in the day HERE maps is an excellent offline GPS app. It offers maps for the entire world, an offline public transit routes (in most regions), live traffic information, the ability to save places for later use, and more. UI is simple and easy to use and maps are updated relatively frequently. A great offline GPS choice which is also basically free.
MAPS.ME – GPS Navigation & Map (Free)
A great choice for offline navigation that’s completely free. It offers you highly detailed maps that are absolutely free to download, a nice and clean UI, walking directions, routing, POI like gas stations, ATMs, metro stations and more. One cool thing about it is an Auto-follow mode that, when enabled, automatically orients the map to the direction you are moving. And, it has maps for 345 countries and islands. Did we mention that it is absolutely free?
MapFactor: GPS Navigation (Free with in-app purchases)
MapFactor is an interesting GPS app that uses OSM (OffStreetMap) data, with maps installing on your SD card in order to use them offline. You have many options, turn-by-turn directions, navigation voices in several languages, speed limits, data about hotels, restaurants, bars and more. There is an option of updating your offline maps from time to time and all maps are free to download. A really nice and accessible offline GPS choice.
MapQuest GPS Navigation & Maps (Free with in-app purchases)
MapQuest has many usual options that can be found in most other GPS apps, but it is very popular in the Play Store. It’s because of the Compare tool, that helps you find the best option to go from point A to point B, including support for Uber and car2go. Aside from that is has live traffic data, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, POI display and more. An interesting choice for people who want to get somewhere fast without relying on their own vehicle to get them there.
Offline Maps & Navigation (Free with in-app purchases)
Elegant and simple to use interface, an abundance of maps that can be downloaded and used offline, unlimited navigation features and no hidden costs are just some of the reasons to choose Offline Maps & Navigation. Aside from features mentioned above, the app offers you fixed speed camera warnings, support for 33 languages, 3D buildings, lane guidance and more. Really handy and useful GPS app that you should definitely check out.
Waze – GPS, Maps & Traffic (Free)
Extremely popular GPS app that relies on the community to bring you lives traffic information and it has a unique option of real-time ETA sharing. The community of drivers from all around the world is the heartbeat of this app, and it’s great for finding out police patrol locations, closed roads, accident-prone areas, lower gas prices and more. It’s all updated live so in order to use it you have to be online. It even has a ranking system in which you get higher ranked the more active in the community you are, a nice way to incent people to participate.
We hope that this list will solve your problems (or, at least, ease them) related to picking a perfect GPS app. If you have an app that you love using but that’s not on this list let us know in the comments bellow.
