4 Best GPS Navigation Apps

 

If you rely on navigational apps you know how important accuracy is, but there are many other features like traffic reports, construction delays, and add-on routes to consider as well. If you’re thinking about a new navigational app, check out these popular options.

 

Best Crowdsourced Traffic Assistance: Waze

Ever notice even radio reports of traffic seem out of date? You go miles out of your way only to find out the jam was cleared earlier. That won’t happen with Waze. It includes voiced turn-by-turn directions but the true beauty of this app is that it crowdsources information on delays from other users and displays them on the map using helpful icons. These items include:

  • Accidents
  • Road or weather hazards
  • Road closures
  • Speed cameras
  • Police

You can also report traffic conditions for other users and send your ETA to contacts through email or text.

Cost: Free
Platform: Android, iOS, and Windows phones
Limitations: Driving only

Image of cell phone showing Waze GPS Navigation Map

 

 

Best All Around: Google Maps

Google Maps, provides simple, accurate maps for driving, public transportation, cycling and walking, all in an interface that many of us are used to. This is essentially the gold standard of free GPS navigation apps. Critics generally agree that Google Maps outperforms the iPhone’s native maps application, Apple Maps. It also gives you the ability to access maps offline. PCMag.com picks Google Maps as their Editor’s Choice.

Google Maps displayed on a cellphone and tablet

Google Map’s Explore Street View feature allows you to zoom in to many areas on the map to actually see what it looks like! Google is even expanding this feature with Street View Trekker, which enables Street View to feature more places around the world – places no car trike, trolley or snowmobile can access. Street View photographers are outfitted with a backpack camera system that records images while maneuvering through narrow, tight spaces and locales that are considered off the beaten track.

Cost: Free
Platform: Android, iOS, and Windows
Limitations: US only

 

Best for Road Trips: inRoute

Sometimes the most fun route to your destination isn’t a straight line. If you’re traveling and want to add a few stops along the way, check out inRoute. The free version allows as many as five stops and the search makes it easy to find points of interest along the way including gas stations and restaurants.

In addition to stopovers, inRoute offers cool interactive weather and elevation charts that give drivers an in-depth look at the terrain ahead. The flexibility of this app is impressive. For example, you can completely customize your route by looking at alternatives for each leg of a route, not just the options for the entire route. This way, you can easily customize your entire journey.

Cost: free or $6 for the upgrade
Platform: iOS
Limitations: While the app is free, many features require additional purchases. The interface can be difficult to navigate, and it doesn’t have spoken turn-by-turn directions. Users get around this by exporting routes to Google Maps but exports are not available in the free version. Unfortunately, this app doesn’t include transit navigation or traffic alerts. Another downer is that severe weather alerts are only unlocked with an in-app purchase of the premium version.

inRoute navigation map shown on a cellphone

Best for Offline Use: CoPilot

CoPilot GPS Navigation maps shown on a cellphone and tablet

Online navigational apps are a real drain on your cellphone battery but with CoPilot you can download maps online and then go offline, saving the battery. With this app you’ll still have turn-by-turn voice directions and you’ll be able to switch routes. You also get lane guidance which is a big help in congested highway driving where getting over at the last minute is not an option.

CoPilot is works especially well for RVers, truck drivers and work fleets due to its industry standard PC Miler routing. This ensures a truck-legal route for oversized vehicles. Additionally, the offline feature helps you avoid high mobile data costs, making it more affordable for an enterprise solution.
Cost: $14.99. Traffic reports are free for 12 months, then $9.99 after that.
Platform: Android, iOS, and Windows
Limitations: If you always drive where there’s Internet coverage, Google Maps offers similar features for free.

Get where you’re going easily with any of these four navigational apps. Now you just need an app to remind you where your keys are!