Gone are the days when people had to print out maps and directions in order to navigate an unfamiliar place. The emergence of the global positioning system (GPS) and eventually GPS apps available on mobile has provided us with plenty of navigation tools. Now, we can determine our current location, search for directions, use a map with street view, and many more. Using the best Android GPS apps, you can navigate any place in the world with ease. Check out the top 15 best GPS apps to use below!
15 Best Android GPS Apps
1. Google Maps Go
Price: Free
One of the most popular and best Android GPS apps used by millions of users around the world is Google Maps. For those with limited memory and unreliable connection, a lighter version is now available: Google Maps Go. It takes up 1,000 times less memory on your phone without compromising speed so you can always navigate easily on the go.
Google Maps Go allows you to get step-by-step directions for your chosen route, get public transport schedules, discover new places nearby, and view both satellite and terrain maps. Plus, it’s available in over 70 languages so you’ll be able to find your way wherever you are in whatever country.
2. Waze
Price: Free
Avoid getting caught off guard by road accidents and other mishaps. Waze provides you with directions to your destination, gives you an estimated time of arrival (ETA), and features a variety of voices that will guide you as you drive.
What’s even better is that Waze also sends you alerts on traffic, police hazards, and more. If there’s ongoing construction along your route, you’ll be notified and given an alternative route. It also provides directions based on how heavy the traffic is and will give you a faster one. Overall, Waze is one of the best Android GPS apps for drivers who are traversing the city streets daily.
Also Read: Waze vs Google Maps: Which App Navigates the Streets Better?
3. MAPS.ME
Price: Free
No mobile data? MAPS.ME has got you covered. This free offline navigation app lets you fast, turn-by-turn directions sans the internet. It also gives you detailed directions to points of interest (POI) that are missing from other maps. And since it’s constantly updated by millions of OpenStreetMap daily, you’ll be getting loads of reliable information.
Aside from getting directions, MAPS.ME also allows you to search for ATMs, make hotel bookings, share your location via text or social media, and get updates on traffic information from over 36 countries. These features plus the fact that it is offline, make it one of the best Android GPS apps to download.
4. Polaris GPS Navigation
Price: Free
If you’re into in-depth navigation, Polaris GPS Navigation is perfect for you. This powerful app is complete with navigational tools: GPS and magnetic compass, parameters panel, odometer, speedometer, altimeter, chronometer, and so much more. It’s one of the best Android GPS apps to use for hiking, sailing, cycling, or hunting.
Polaris is also used for land-sea search and rescue by military personnel. It’s a reliable, fast, and stable GPS app that offers a full suite of navigational tools. For those who are looking for an all-in-one app with high performance, download Polaris on your Android phone now.
5. HERE WeGo
Price: Free
Need one of the best Android GPS apps for city navigation without using mobile data? HERE WeGo is a free offline navigation app for city dwellers. Whether you need to ride public transportation or drive on your own, this app will help you reach your destination easily.
HERE WeGo lets you book a ride and gives you a heads-up on your journeys, such as cab fares, transit tickets, and parking spaces. If you’re driving, you can compare the fastest routes to your destination, get turn-by-turn directions, and real-time traffic information. It’s a handy app for busy people – best of all, it’s offline!
6. Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps
Price: Free
One of the best Android GPS apps that millions of users have trusted for years, Sygic is a robust and reliable navigation tool. It’s built to work even without an internet connection so you can easily find your way around unfamiliar places. The offline 3D maps are incredibly helpful as well as the voice-guided GPS navigation.
Other features that Sygic contains include traffic information and safety features. It has speed limit warnings, dynamic lane assistance, heads-up display, dashcam, real-view navigation, cockpit, and route-sharing.
7. MapFactor
Price: Free
Need to plan your trip down to the very minute details? MapFactor can help you do just that. As one of the best Android GPS apps, it helps you plan a door-to-door route complete with all the details. Whether you’re driving a car, riding a bike, or taking the bus, you’re provided with a complete route as well as places to avoid.
Although MapFactor is free to download, there are certain features that only come with a paid premium account. Some of these include professional TomTom maps, alternative routes, and live HD traffic information in selected countries.
8. ViaMichelin
Price: Free
From the tire manufacturing magnate Michelin comes one of the best Android GPS apps. ViaMichelin is perfect for car owners because of the Michelin maps, real-time traffic information, 3D mapping, voice guidance, and community incident alerts. You can optimize your route based on traffic conditions.
You can also plan your holiday getaways with ViaMichelin. Their goal is to provide not just navigation services, but leisurely trips and safe road driving as well. The app gives you a list of Michelin-selected hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites that you can visit during your trip. It also allows you to calculate the total cost of your trip while you’re planning it.
9. MapQuest
Price: Free
One of the most used and best Android GPS apps in the US and Canada, MapQuest has upgraded its features for its users. It has up-to-date satellite imagery, multi-point routes, speedometer, live traffic cameras, optimized and alternate routing, and many more.
You can also use it as a tool to explore new places nearby. Whether you’re looking for a bar, hotel, or restaurant, simply turn on your location settings and let MapQuest suggest places for you. Or if you need to gas up or have your car fixed, you can also search for the nearest stations and service centers.
10. BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS Pro
Price: $3.99 – $24.99 per in-app purchase
Perfect for those who are always outdoors, BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS PRO is the best Android GPS app for off-road topographic mapping. It’s quite expensive than most GPS apps but that’s because it is jam-packed with navigational tools. It has topo maps with terrains, street maps, and marine maps. You can definitely use it for hiking, hunting, snowshoeing, and backpacking.
BackCountry even boasts that it can replace your Garmin handheld GPS. You can purchase additional features such as Accuterra Topo Map Source, boundary maps, lake contours, and trail maps for ATV, equestrian, and whitewater.
11. Maps Measure
Price: Free
Simple, clean, and no-nonsense. Maps Measure is one of the best Android GPS apps if you just want simple navigational instructions. All you have to do is click on the map for your starting point and destination, and it will calculate the distance, area, and elevation between the two.
Maps Measure doesn’t have route planning features like the other apps. Thus, it’s extremely lightweight and straightforward. If you need an app that only calculates distances between places, this one is for you.
12. SmartNavi
Price: Starts at $1.99/month; with free trial
GPS and navigation apps can quickly drain your phone battery, especially when it’s constantly running in the background. SmartNavi is a lightweight GPS app that solves this dilemma for you. Considered as one of the best Android GPS apps, you can save up to 80% energy since it is GPS-independent. It uses internal sensors as you navigate your way around a place, hence the power-saving feature.
SmartNavi will work well for those who don’t have power banks or power sources. Since it does not rely on GPS, it may not give the most precise directions. However, the constant updates and integrations by the developer are making this app better with each version.
13. TomTom GO Navigation
Price: Free
TomTom is also one of the most used navigation tools by millions of users worldwide. It is even argued as one of the best Android GPS apps for its open-source mapping. This sat nav app provides intelligent routing options to give you the best directions based on real-time traffic situations. It even has an Advanced Lane Guidance feature to ensure that you’re always driving on the right lane.
This app requires the use of mobile data, but you download offline maps for later use. Additionally, all maps are stored on your phone and receive free updates regularly. This might put a strain on your data storage.
14. Offline Map Navigation
Price: $0.99 – $8.49 per in-app purchase
Save mobile data costs and phone battery life by downloading Offline Map Navigation. Just like its counterparts, it also has voice-guided directions and maps, but it doesn’t require the internet for you to use it.
If you’re looking for a basic app without the fancy feature, Offline Map Navigation will suit you well. It has free offline maps, speed camera warnings, smart lane guidance, heads-up display, and millions of POIs. Thus, it is considered by users as one of the best Android GPS apps to download.
15. Magic Earth
Price: Free
Powered by OpenStreetMaps, Magic Earth is a reliable GPS app without draining your mobile data and phone battery. You can download offline maps for 233 countries and regions, as well as choose between 2D, 3D, and satellite map views.
It also provides you the best routes to take to get to your destination. Whether you’re traveling on foot, biking, driving, or via public transport, you’re sure to get the quickest routes. As an added bonus, you can also check the weather via this app so you’ll know what to expect as you head out.
For all the best mobile apps at your disposal, check out our mobile apps page on Cellular News!
