With Google Maps being at the front and center of smartphones these days, it isn’t easy to imagine life without this well-known navigation app. Currently, over a billion people use Google Maps but you should consider over 6 billion who don’t. Google Maps might be a great tool, but there are still some reasons you might not want to use it. For example, maybe you don’t want Google possibly profiting off your data, or your country has tight regulations that make Google Maps useless. These best Google Maps alternatives have you covered with great features, no matter your reason.
Why you should avoid using Google Maps?
- The problem with Google Maps is that it doesn’t adjust the suggested route dynamically.
- Furthermore, since it is a Google product, there is a high risk of your personal data being collected by the app.
- Also, the app doesn’t seem to work that well when not online, despite having the option of saving maps offline.
- And it has also been known to mark or show incorrect places on the map, due to reasons such as incorrect GPS, network loss, low battery, and so on.
- Sometimes it can also be risky to use Google Maps due to geopolitical reasons, refer to the Indo-China Google Maps border debacle.
In addition, many other navigation apps can provide you with either a comparable or much better set of map features compared to what you may be using. These are your next possible alternatives to Google Maps –
| Service | Offline Access | Live Traffic | Public Transit | Cycling Routes | Navigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bing Maps | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| MAPS.ME | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Navmii | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Waze | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Apple Maps | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MapQuest | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Sygic Maps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HERE WeGo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Citymapper | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TomTom Go | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| inRoute | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| OsmAnd | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pocket Earth | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| BackCountry Navigator | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
1. Bing Maps
The new Bing Maps app is in public beta and already offers some cool features. This feature list includes additions to the OSM (OpenStreetMap) datasets such as commuter rail, autocross, and highways. The sources for those additions are partly data from Wikimapia and the official Bing Maps datasets.
Owned by Microsoft, the Bing maps service was originally known as MapPoint before taking on its current name. It packs several features, including a traffic overlay and 3D views. Whether you are a traditional mapper or working in town planning, it has the UK’s full range of maps, from Ordnance Survey maps to aerial imagery. It may come to you as a surprise, but it’s as old as Google Maps.
2. MAPS.ME
The app is perfect for anyone who wants to travel without worrying about data roaming charges. MAPS.ME offers walking directions, road and off-road routes, hiking trails, bicycle tracks, walkways, and the route names for all the maps downloaded. MAPS.ME is the perfect travel companion because it offers curated travel guides for destinations all over the globe, while also providing information on attractions and businesses near you.
You can scroll through its free guides, but the rest require a subscription of $13 per month or $32 per year. Google Maps is ad-free, but MAPS.ME can be quite cluttered, which evokes utter frustration in users. If you’re used to checking directions on Google Maps’ sleek interface, you might find MAPS.ME a little disappointing.
3. Navmii
If you’re looking for a mapping and navigation app with more innovative features than Google Maps, Navmii is a great option. For example, Navmii provides up-to-date reports about accidents and construction sites, integrating information from apps like TripAdvisor. If you’re you’re seeking an all-in-one mapping solution, Navmii is a wonderful option again.
Furthermore, if you seek a fresh and fun interface for exploring locations, you’ll love Navmii. This app features adorable cartoon icons that show your location and that of other users. On the plus side, it’s free like Google Maps but updates a little more slowly. Additionally, you’ll have access to offline maps and smart auto-rerouting when road and traffic conditions change.
4. Waze
Waze is a tool that can help make your mobile experience even better. You can quickly search for locations, plan routes, and more with its live map. Plus, its map editor lets you customize the map of any area to your liking. In addition, Waze is fun to use and comes with social integration, making it the perfect tool for any traveler. This is the place to share your amazing travels, post pictures of your discoveries, and ask for advice on where to go next.
Also, Waze permits you to share any hazards or police alerts you may have encountered on your journey. It is the perfect app for road information. It can help you avoid police roadblocks, construction work, and accidents. In addition, the mapping app provides warnings about crashes and speed traps in real-time, so you can always stay safe on the road.
5. Apple Maps
If we are talking about maps, especially maps that work with a smartphone then, how can we ignore Apple Maps? This software has a beautiful design and a privacy-driven policy that is backed by the reputation Apple has built over the years. However, this app is only available on Apple devices. Basic features such as traffic data, points of interest, and saved location are available, and the company safeguards your data using end-to-end encryption that doesn’t store user information.
6. MapQuest
MapQuest is available in both web-based and mobile app versions. With a MapQuest account, you can seamlessly switch between your phone and computer navigation plans. In addition, their navigation tools are just as reliable as Google Maps and can even identify your current location based on your IP address or phone GPS. You might wanna also read our article on how GPS works.
MapQuest’s route directions are consistently accurate, providing current traffic congestion, distance to be covered, and estimated fuel costs. You can also hover over the right side of the screen to control zoom levels, switch to satellite or traffic views, and share or print your directions. With the one-button location-finding features of MapQuest, you can find hospitals, parking lots, post offices, schools, and more. It also displays the current temperature at your location.
7. Sygic Maps
If you’re seeking a reliable mapping app with plenty of features, Sygic Maps is a great alternative to Google Maps. This navigation app is voice-guided and supports offline maps, pedestrian navigation, 3D orientation, lane guidance, and alternative routes. With Sygic Maps, you can not only easily create custom routes, but also stay safe on the road with alerts for speed cameras and speed limits ahead.
On the plus side, the app integrates with car audio systems for a truly immersive experience. One thing to note is that Sygic Maps is limited to private automobiles. In contrast, Google Maps offers comprehensive support for private and public transportation and other transportation options like bicycles, motorcycles, taxis, and pedestrians.
8. HERE WeGo
HERE WeGo is a web-based mobile app with a simple, clean interface. While it may not be as popular as other alternatives, it boasts many unique features that may attract your attention. For instance, multiple route options like taxi, transit, or ride-sharing routes.
This app is your reliable partner; it helps you plan your road trip with detailed information on where to find the best parking spots. HERE WeGo allows you to download maps for territories and nations at once, making it the perfect choice for tourists and globetrotters. It is the perfect navigation app for minimalists for the reasons we already mentioned.
9. Citymapper
This awesome app brings London, Berlin, and beyond to life through the lens of their mobile app. You can tap on directions for just about anywhere in the world or choose to explore a specific city, neighborhood, or area of interest. This app has tons of fantastic features for travelers and locals alike. Citymapper is designed for budget-conscious travelers who want to spend their vacation in the most authentic way possible.
The app also helps you save your money by taking advantage of discounts at various local businesses like hotels, clubs, and restaurants. You can even plan your day using Citymapper’s walking, biking, or public transportation maps.
10. TomTom Go
TomTom Go is a map app that is available for both Android and iOS, thus, making it a suitable alternative to Google Maps. The primary function of the map is to deal with navigation control and enhance it. The app also takes into account speed alerts issued on different routes, safety camera alerts, and real time traffic updates when planning a route. Taking it a step further, the app is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and with lane assistance to boot.
The app is available for free, but is highly restrictive, as you can only use it for a pre-determined number of miles. However, you can buy a subscription to enjoy all the advanced features. But what sets it apart from competitors like Google Maps is its adaptability to offline maps, which are still useful without any internet connection. And although we do agree that Google Maps is certainly the popular choice, TomTom GO is for someone looking for a more particular navigation system.
11. inRoute
inRoute is another feature-rich navigation and map app that is catered towards route planning and enhancing the user’s travel experience. Thus, it is only right that it stands out when it comes to advanced route optimization that factors in things like soil elevation, recent weather forecasts, curvature of roads and so on, ensuring that the drive will result in no surprises at all.
The seamless route management, along with equally enhanced voice assistance, makes it one of the best maps and navigation apps on the market. Furthermore, the routes optimized through it can be imported, shared, and even synced across different devices. Don’t get me wrong, oftentimes Google Maps is sufficient for most people; however, those who travel a lot and spend a decent amount of time on the road, exploring new areas, might benefit from inRoute’s advanced route management.
12. OsmAnd
OsmAnd is a free-to-use map service that utilizes publicly shared user data from OpenStreetMap. The software is privacy-centric and approaches a different profit model than advertisements. The maps are also available for offline use.
Since it is a free-to-use service, there are sometimes issues with performance, and users experience long load times. But it is a leading alternative to Google Maps. Hence, OsmAnd supports navigation even in remote areas with the help of offline maps, and its Pathfinding feature can even be better than Google.
13. Pocket Earth
This map app for iOS devices uses OpenStreetMap data to generate up-to-date navigation data worldwide, which is great for when you’re offline. Besides downloading maps for offline use, you can utilize handy organizational tools such as pins. There are plenty of layers and extra information you can add to Pocket Earth to customize your maps to your needs.
For example, you can explore interesting points of interest on your map with the Wikipedia layer. Though the basic version is free, you can get topographical maps and enhanced features for £4.99.
14. BackCountry Navigator
The BackCountry Navigator app shows routes and waypoints in your GPS location, with an estimated arrival time for every point on the route. It allows you to set up multiple caches and uses the map view, so you can get a picture of the route. You can add photos to your waypoints, too.
It’s a great way to find out how long it takes to reach your destination without looking at your phone. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who loves spending time in nature, BackCountry Navigator is the perfect app for you. This mapping software uses GPS waypoints and allows you to enter your location’s longitude and latitude coordinates manually, making it easy to find your way around in the wilderness. This is one of the biggest advantages of GPS compared to other positioning systems.