5 Best Android GPS Navigation Apps
Here’s a fact:
Nobody wants to get lost! Being lost is exhausting and stressful.
People travel a lot these days. Of course, we often get lost if we are in a place we are not familiar with. Thankfully, there are some great navigation apps for Android that can help us stay on track and reach our destinations on time.
To be fair…
A few years back, the navigation apps for Android were not as fleshed out as they are today. Most of it has to do with Google maps that upgraded over time and people actually relying on GPS navigation on their smartphones.
Now:
We’ve seen the interfaces of these app change dramatically over the past 2 years. And, it is for the better. The developers of these apps are constantly trying to make their app the best one around and it’s paying off.
In all honesty, I only use Google navigation for my day-to-day tasks but some of my friends used other apps and loved them.
Best Android GPS Navigation Apps
1. Google Maps – Navigate and Explore – Free
If you’re new to the world of GPS navigation on Android, Google Maps is the best app you can get. Is one of the most used navigation apps on Android and there is a good reason behind that. First of all the maps are highly updated and a lot of people use it as a daily driver. This means that you’ll get up to date information about closed roads as well as a moment to moment info about traffic. The navigation app is capable of delivering accurate information to your device and can help you make intelligent decisions and reroutes.
Features:
- Recommended places
- Offline Maps
- Indoor Maps
This app is great because it is really intuitive to use and it has almost everything you could want from a GPS navigator. It even shows what roads are busier and which path is shorter to take. Additionally, it adapts to your speed and can almost accurately predict when you’re going to arrive at your destination.
2. Waze – GPS, Maps, Traffic Alerts & Live Navigation – Free
Waze is an amazing alternative to Google Maps because it also uses a similar way to inform you about traffic and routes. Basically, Waze is a community-driven navigation app that uses information from other users to better guide you in your day-to-day travels. For example, if someone spots a traffic jam happening or an accident, they can easily update the app to inform others that are behind, so they can take a detour. The app offers live routing based and community driven, real-time traffic and road information.
Features:
- Alerts about the police, traffic and many more
- Compatible with Android Auto
- ETA based on traffic data
We also like that there is turn by turn voice guided navigation available so that you can easily use this app while riding bikes as well. The app is also capable of automatically rerouting your path according to the changing traffic conditions. Additionally, more for fun, you can record your own voice to guide you to your destination.
3. Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps – Free with In-app Purchases
Sygic GPS Navigation is quite popular in South Asian countries because it is a reliable app that allows you to navigate without using too much data. As most of the maps are stored on your phone storage, the app allows you to use off-line navigation as well. However, many features will be turned off while using the app exclusively off-line. That’s not all, apart from great voice-guided navigation features, you’ll be also getting free map updates periodically.
Features:
- Offline Maps
- Fuel information
- Dynamic Lane Assistant
Real-time route sharing allows you to share your whole trip with friends or family so that you can know your arrival time easily. In some areas, the app is also capable of providing or suggestions along with the availability as well as price.
4. MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps – Free with In-app Purchases
We’re big fans of great interfaces and unfortunately, this app comes with a blocky one. However, this is the strongest thing about this app, if you have trouble simply glancing at your screen and knowing where you have to go on other apps, this one has extremely bright colors, so you know exactly where you’re going.
Features:
- Speed limit and camera warnings
- Offline maps
- Route types for different types of transportation
Even though the interface is a bit blocky, the design is very usable and can be helpful in your day-to-day usage. This navigation app comes with free offline GPS maps that allow you to navigate even without Internet connectivity. The intuitive voice navigation is available in different languages so you’re not bound to English in this app. Map Factor GPS Navigation features cross-border routing so that you can easily switch between countries without relying on a less detailed map.
5. MAPS.ME – Offline Map and Travel Navigation – Free with In-app Purchases
This is one of the fastest and detailed turn by turn navigation app for Android. The best thing, the app is available entirely off-line and you can use it without ever connecting to the Internet. Of course, you will have to download the maps prior to you setting off to our adventure, but at least it doesn’t rely on a constant connection for navigation.
Features:
- Offline navigation
- Nearby Places
- Bookmarks
However, first you need to download the maps on your device, so you won’t be stranded without Internet or navigation. Another good thing about this navigation app for Android is that all the maps are inside and every feature is free. Driving, walking and even cycling navigation is available anywhere in the world. From points of interest to hiking trails, this app covers it all across the globe.
FAQs
What is the best GPS Navigation App for Android?
Of course, as usual, each app is unique and has different features, but we’d recommend either Google Maps or Waze for daily use because they provide the biggest amount of information and are the most straightforward to use
Are online maps better than the offline ones for GPS Navigation Apps?
We suggest using online maps when possible, because, by doing this, you can also obtain information about the traffic, or perhaps the police or accidents ahead on the road – and this is quite useful, especially if you are in a new place you’re never seen before.
Is there any GPS Navigation App that can help you offroad?
Yes! Actually, if you want to know more about this, we suggest you read our review on Polaris Navigation GPS: “Navigation for the Explorer in You”.
Android GPS Navigation – Know Your Way!
These were some of the best navigation apps for Android that will surely work well on all of your devices. We personally tested these out over the years and wholeheartedly recommend the first 2 apps for daily usage. The best thing about these apps is that they are available globally and even if you use some of our best travel apps for Android, you will always know where to go next.
However, make sure that your device’s GPS sensors are working their best. If you have problems with them, we recommend you read our troubleshooting guide: “How to Fix Android GPS Issues”.
If you have any questions or suggestions about this list, feel free to direct them in the comments below.
Do any of these allow you to drop pins on a map and then plot a route from pin to pin? I am constantly adding stops and changing my route throughout the day. We use Delorme maps on our laptops at work for this, but mine crapped out last week and I was using Google to plot one stop at a time. Was a LOT of back and forth across town!
You can add locations along the way in google maps. Add one location and press navigate. Then, at the top right of the destination input screen (where you see your starting location and the destination) there are 3 dots. tap them and you’ll see add stop. Add your other locations there and it’ll take you from one to the next. You can reorder them as you see fit.
If you based your review on the offline navigation only, I’d like to see how your rankings would change.
That’s a really interesting suggestion, Bruce. I’ll pass it along for you.
Thanks for the article! To me Strava is the best!! i hope there released a version for hikers too… I love the social component of it 🙂 I use it now n my AGM X1 … cool rugged cheap phone: check it out!! It has (Octa-Core 1.5 GHz, 4GB ram, 64GB mem :O ) ; i got it as a gift and cant leave it alone , didnt knew a phone could endurance taht much… and is really cool since in my hikes i tend to kiss the floor quite usually xP
Good to read your article. I am getting bore by my old android’s default GPS app that is Google Map. I want to try some thing new GPS App to make my move simple and time saving. Till now I have not getting proper article as yours to choose which one app is best.
I’m glad you found the article so helpful, John. Thanks for reading.
Hello John,
Thanks for sharing, its very helpful.