November 12th, 2019 | Updated on April 13th, 2021
When we think navigation apps, we typically think Google Maps, Here and Bing Maps. It’s the one most people recommend. It also happens to get frequent updates. Google has been really on top of navigation especially over the last couple of years.
However, there are plenty of different options available if you aren’t clicking with Google Maps. In this post, we’ll check out the best GPS apps and navigation apps for Android smartphones.
1. BackCountry Navigator
Download topo maps for an offline outdoor navigator! Use your phone or tablet as an offroad topo mapping handheld GPS with the bestselling outdoor navigation app for Android OS! Explore beyond cell coverage for hiking and other recreation.
Download topo maps for the UK and many other countries in advance, so you won’t need cell coverage for navigation. Use storage memory for maps.
Use GPS waypoints from GPX or KML files, or enter your own coordinates using longitude/latitude, UTM, MGRS, or grid reference. Using GOTO makes a waypoint a locus for navigation.
Review: Android Authority
BackCountry Navigator is an excellent navigation app for hikers. It’s pretty expensive but what you get is a number of offline topographical maps. It’s perfect for those places where data services don’t exist.
There are a few fun features as well. You can add favorite spots and markers on the map, view different types of trails, and more. It also has a few map choices.
Buying the app gets you unlimited, ad-free use of the app. It’s powerful, but be sure to try it before you buy it. It is fairly expensive.
2. Here Wego
Here wego is a free app that makes city navigation effortless whether you need a taxi, public transportation or drive on your own.
Book a taxi in a single tap or navigate with detailed routes, turn-by-turn guidance and information about every way to get around.
If you’re in a hurry, take a taxi or book a future ride.* take your car, your bike or public transit to get to your destination. Here wego has recommendations for all the ways to get around. Just compare and choose what’s best for you.
Review: PlayStore
Ok looking for driving around my area, but consulted another app because Here WeGo was an hour more driving time…..figured out that it wanted me to drive an hour out of the way instead of just a straight line, on a similar road with similar speed limit and traffic lights.
No way to choose the simpler, less time consuming route. Only reason i know this is because the route is near my house. Can’t trust it near my house how am i going to trust it on my trip to North Carolina on unfamiliar roads?
3. Map Factor
MapFactor Navigator is a free GPS navigation app with free offline maps from OpenStreetMaps (incl. free monthly maps update).
Navigate without an internet connection in more than 200 countries. Intuitive voice turn-by-turn navigation in different languages, speed limits.
Review: Uptodown
MapFactor is a GPS navigation tool that can lead you to any part of the planet without an internet connection. Thanks to its option of downloading maps by country or community, you can use them anytime even if you don’t have a data plan.
MapFactor thus takes you from one point to another on fully updated routes exclusively using the GPS that comes in your device.
An Internet connection will only be needed to download the maps, which you can do when you’re planning your trip and you have data access or a Wi-Fi connection.
The instructions once you start your route on MapFactor are spoken, and the voice can be modified in terms of tone, gender, or volume, adapting to how you want to be guided.
In addition to sound alerts, you can also set your view of the highways and cities, choosing between 2D and 3D.
4. MapQuest
Get where you need to go with the MapQuest turn-by-turn GPS Navigation app. Whether it’s using voice navigation for walking or driving directions or exploring points of interests on the map, MapQuest has the tools you need to navigate the United States and Canada.
Review: Android Authority
MapQuest has undergone many redesigns over the years. However, it’s the same sturdy service we’ve known about since the good old days. It employs the standard turn-by-turn directions.
There are also other features such as live traffic updates (where available), re-routing directions based on traffic, and a service to find cheaper gas. You can even use it to call a tow truck if you break down.
It’s not as good as Google Maps or as effect at finding cheap gas as GasBuddy. However, it’s a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
5. Maps
Navigate your world faster and easier with Google Maps. Over 220 countries and territories mapped, with hundreds of millions of businesses and places on the map.
Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic and public transport info, and explore local neighbourhoods knowing where to eat, drink and go – no matter what part of the world you’re in.
Review: PlayStore
Runs terribly slow and laggy on the Samsung Galaxy S7. The Google Maps team should be ashamed how badly this runs on one of the largest manufacturer’s flagship devices.
“This app is compatible with your device.” is a lie. Reply: That’s not acceptable. I shouldn’t have to uninstall updates, clear cache, or uninstall and reinstall apps.
This isn’t Windows 95, you shouldn’t need to reinstall from the ground up every few months. Don’t force your users to clean up after your developers’ bad code.
6. Maps.Me
Free, fast, detailed and entirely offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation – trusted by over 100 million travelers worldwide.Plan your trip and never miss an interesting place with our custom itineraries.
We have partnered with the best travel content creators and made routes and itineraries for popular destinations. They include POI on the map and can be downloaded for offline use.
Essential for home and travel. Paris, France? Check. Amsterdam, Netherlands? Check. Barcelona, Spain? Check. New York, Chicago, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada, Seattle, San Francisco, California, USA? Check! Rome, Italy? Check. London, UK? Check.
Review: Android Authority
Maps.me is another free navigation app and GPS app. It features offline maps, turn by turn directions, and updated maps via OpenStreetMap.
There is also bookmarking locations, offline searching, traffic data (where available), and worldwide support. It’s about as close to a Google Maps competitor as it gets.
It should work for most people most of the time. Some have reported some issues here and there, but nothing overly worrisome. The app is completely free with no in-app purchases. There are some ads, but they aren’t a big deal.
7. OsmAnd
OsmAnd is an offline navigation application with access to the free, worldwide, and high-quality offline maps.
Enjoy voice and visual offline navigation, viewing points of interest, creating and managing GPS tracks, using contour lines visualization and altitude info (through plugin), a choice between car navigation, cycle navigation or directions in the pedestrian mode, OSM editing and much more.
Review: APKPure
OsmAnd is an offline navigation application with access to the free, worldwide, and high-quality offline maps.
Enjoy voice and visual offline navigation, viewing points of interest, creating and managing GPX tracks, using contour lines visualization and altitude info (through plugin), a choice between car navigation, cycle navigation or directions in the pedestrian mode, OSM editing and much more.
Just Download Your Free Maps And Get The Following:
- GPS navigation
- You can choose between offline (no roaming charges when you are abroad) or online (faster) mode
- Turn-by-turn voice guidance leads you along the way (recorded and synthesized voices)
- Driving routes get rebuilt whenever you deviate from them
- Lane guidance, street names, and estimated time of arrival will help along the way
8. Polaris GPS Navigation
Turn your phone into a powerful GPS navigation system with Polaris Navigation GPS, the world’s 1 all-purpose GPS, and dare to go where there are no roads.Imagine.
What would it be like to navigate any waterway or explore any wilderness or city using only your phone’s GPS location abilities and a view of the sky? What it would be like to create navigation destinations without the need of an internet connection and find them using only an arrow or offline maps
Review: Cnet
Imagine… What would it be like to navigate any waterway or explore any wilderness or city using only your phone’s GPS location abilities and a view of the sky? What it would be like to create navigation destinations without the need for an internet connection and find them using only an arrow or offline maps.
That is just a glimpse of the navigational power you will hold in your hands when you install Polaris Navigation GPS.
Used mostly as a hiking, off-road, nautical and trail GPS app, Polaris is an excellent backup or replacement for your handheld dedicated GPS satellite navigation unit and will keep you oriented wherever your outdoor adventures take you!
9. Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps
Sygic – GPS navigation is the world’s most downloaded gps navigation app, trusted by more than 200 million drivers. Offline 3d maps are stored on your phone for gps navigation without an internet connection.
We update the maps multiple times per year for free, so that you can always rely on sygic gps navigation.
Review: Android Authority
Sygic is a monumentally popular navigation app that boasts over 50 million downloads to date. Like others on this list, it provides downloaded maps for offline use except this one uses TomTom maps.
It has the usual features like turn-by-turn, voice-guided directions (which include voice-spoken street names so you can concentrate on driving), alternate routes, and even a speed limit display.
You can unlock additional features by purchasing one of the three premium versions. The $13.99 option gives you basic features, the $17.99 option adds real time traffic updates, and the final price tier version gives you everything. It’s expensive, but at least it’s not a subscription.
10. Scout GPS Navigation & Meet Up
Scout The only social navigation app. Share with friends your favorite places to eat, plan Meet Ups, share your ETA and get turn-by-turn GPS voice directions.
All enjoy discovering new places and experiences but some of us don’t like to be misled. Frustrated with other review apps and skeptical about the “reviews”? Scout has the reviews/tips are from your friends.
If you are one of those who prefers tips/reviews from trusted persons, Scout is the right source for you. From restaurants and bars to coffee shops, share among friends your collective favorite eating places and tips/photos
Review: PlayStore
seriously why you letting me paying for the service & you take my money if you’re blocked my download for the maps on my phone and honestly that’s a false advertisement you said offline maps if we pay for it which is I did pay for it why is my offline maps is disabled? should I call my lawyer?
11. Komoot
Komoot helps you experience more adventure. Wherever you want to explore, plan your hikes, road bike and MTB rides down to the last inch in the planner and listen to turn-by-turn voice navigation to stay on course—even when you’re offline.
Whether you prep like a pro on your desktop or plan a route on the go, komoot automatically syncs your routes, tracks and photos across all devices, including your smartphone, desktop, tablet and Android Wear.
Review: Road.cc
Komoot is both a desktop and a mobile app, with most of the features available through either portal, and navigation based on your smartphone, either using the screen for mapping or an earpiece (or the speaker) for turn-by-turn instructions, or both.
It offers something a bit different to the other options out there, with a lot of curated content, and a more sophisticated routing engine.
12. Drivemode
Drivemode simplifies how you manage calls and messages while driving. With a streamlined interface to safely answer calls or send and hear messages, Drivemode’s voice-enabled commands and large buttons let you to focus on driving. Use voice-control, a broad swipe, or a single tap and move seamlessly between applications.
Review: Cnet
It’s so intuitive and simple that you could use the Drivemode app for Android while blindfolded, but don’t try that while driving. The app for Android phones presents controls for navigation, audio and contacts in a low-distraction “driving mode” overlay with audio prompts and a simple, swipeable interface.
