Go back 10 years, and you’d find that most people would buy GPS systems for their car, to help them get where they’re going. Skip forward to today, though, and you’ll see that most people now use GPS mapping apps on their phone for the same purpose.
There’s a lot of reasons why you’d want to go with an app rather than a dedicated GPS device. They’re always on hand, they can be instantly updated, and they’re mostly accurate in this day and age. There’s also a huge amount of choice out there for apps. Here are the 10 best ones that you can use when you need to plan your journey.
1. Google Maps
Price: Free
This app can be accessed by both Android and iOS users, and it’s still one of the best map apps out there. It offers the standard turn by turn directions, as well as the famous Street View feature, public transport information, and live traffic directions. It’s hard to find any app that can offer you all of these features at once.
2. Apple Maps
Price: Free
If you’re an iOS user, you’ll already have access to this app for free. There’s lots of the same features that Google Maps can offer, including live traffic info and pedestrian walking instructions. As well as this, there’s the ‘Flyover’ feature that can give you a look at detailed 3D models of the landscape.
3. Waze
Price: Free
This app is becoming bigger in the app store, thanks to its community of users. It’s a good alternative to the default options, but what sets it apart is how users can contribute to the information it gives out. You can add in traffic jams, accidents and other incidents in real time, so everyone knows exactly what’s going on.
4. CityMapper
Price: Free
This app is a bit different, as it’s not designed for car drivers. Instead, it’s designed for people who are getting around on foot. It can give good walking directions, or up to date public transport information. Revieweal say it’s the best pedestrian GPS app around.
5. HERE WeGo
Price: Free
This app is a good one to use if you’re travelling in areas with spotty data connection, as you can download maps for later use. As well as this, you can alter maps if you need to make changes or corrections to them.
6. MotionX GPS
Price: $1.99
This is one of the first map apps to come out on iOS, and it shows in the amount of features it has. These include full Wikipedia integration so you have your own tour guide, and online tracking on Facebook and Twitter if you want to share your journey. It’s an easy to use app that you can put to good use.
7. Mapquest GPS Navigation And Maps
Price: Free with in app purchases
Mapquest is one of the oldest mapping services around, and the experience shows. Writing Populist say that their turn by turn directions are clear and easy to follow. As well as this, there are gas finding features, and a rerouting option to avoid traffic. You can even use it to get help if your car breaks down.
8. HERE Maps
Price: Free
This Nokia owned app is one of the best map apps around, and deserves to be better known. One of the best features it has is the offline map function, which allows you to download maps and plan your journey without using up your data. If you’re planning a big journey, you can use their journey planning tool on your desktop and have it sent to your phone, too.
9. Polaris GPS Navigation
Price: $0.99
This app is unique as it accesses several different map services, such as Google Maps and Mapquest. You can choose which one you want to use, giving you a lot of freedom. It’s a good app for fishers and hikers too, as it can cover off road locations. Features such as a compass will help you find your way around when you need it the most.
10. CoPilot Premium
Price: $9.99
This app looks costly, but it can offer a much more detailed experience than many standard apps. One of these features includes traffic camera alerts, and improved junction views for clearer directions. This app is very similar to in car dash options, so you know you have an app that can get you where you need to go.
All of these apps are a great option if you’re looking for a good GPS mapping app. They’ll all give you accurate directions and additional features that will help you do everything from finding gas stations to getting a tow truck if you break down. There’s an app for every budget, so give them a try and see which one’s right for you.
