Google Maps is a great mapping service, and one that’s so familiar that you’ll probably use it first. It’s great for exploring the neighborhood of your future apartment or adding driving directions to your website. It comes pre-installed on all Android phones, and even iOS users often choose it thanks to the app’s name recognition feature.
However, Google Maps has its flaws. So, depending on your needs and desires, you might consider using an alternative app that gives you more functionality or a different approach. In our list of alternatives to Google Maps below, you’ll find a navigation tool (or tools) that’s perfect for you and your lifestyle.
Price: Free.
Best for: When your plans quickly change and you need live updates on the road situation.
Waze is a navigation tool for people who like to interact directly with other users. Since everyone has access to every map, you constantly receive traffic updates, police alerts, camera alerts, etc. You can also integrate with your music app to have a better user experience.
On the other hand, you get a less detailed look when it comes to Waze maps. Compared to Google Maps, this application also has more purposes and does not offer many features.
Price: Free.
Best for: When you need to find directions and don’t have internet. Perfect for frequent travelers.
Maps.me is one of the few navigation apps that you can use offline, making it a solid alternative to Google Maps. It allows you to preload maps of different areas without taking up too much of your device’s memory.
The application uses the OpenStreetMap database, allowing for a more detailed and reliable experience. The search functions are somewhat limited. While you can easily find all the tourist attractions, you can’t search for businesses unless you have their map address.
A small drawback of this service that is completely free is the presence of ads on the screen.
Price: Free.
Best for: When you are looking for a free, highly accessible and accurate mapping tool.
OpenStreetMap is a Google Maps alternative best known for its accuracy. It’s an open source service where anyone can edit maps and add new maps to the database.
This approach makes OpenStreetMap highly interactive and popular with users, making the selection of maps larger and better quality every day. However, it also means that some parts of the world will have less data and maps than others.
Download: There is no mobile version available.
Price: Free.
Best for: When you want a comprehensive, user-friendly experience.
MapQuest is a good choice for those who value comfort and compatibility above all else. Some of the app’s most useful features include real-time traffic updates, automatic rerouting options, an estimated fuel cost calculation for your trip, and even a current temperature display. at your location.
Once you create a MapQuest account and import your travel plans, you can sync that data with any of your devices and then share them with friends and family.
Price: Free.
Best for: When you want to focus on your route without distractions.
Here WeGo will be a great choice of a navigation app for minimalists. With a simple standard interface, the app has only features that will really help you navigate from your starting point to your destination. There are no advanced route planning options available here.
However, similar to Maps.me, you can download your maps and use the app offline. This makes the app a little more reliable and usable than others.
Price: Free.
Best for: When you want to have all your tools on one screen.
If you are looking for the closest alternative to Google Maps but with a cleaner interface and easier navigation, check out Bing Maps. With all the controls aligned at the top of the screen, the app is intuitive and simple to use.
You’ll love Bing Maps for its incredibly detailed layered maps, modern interface, save places options, and numerous mapping tools that you can all access from the same screen.
One downside here is that there is no mobile app. This means that Bing Maps will use more data than other apps.
Download: There is no mobile version available.
Price: Free, with Premium subscriptions starting at $1.99 per month.
Best for: When you are looking for enhanced view and user experience and extra features.
OsmAnd is a navigation tool that provides both online and offline functionality. It uses the OpenStreetMap database, allowing them to provide extremely accurate live traffic updates.
The app is also packed with various features aimed at improving the user experience, including various tools that change the look and feel of the map, a dark mode, and even Wikipedia integration.
The latter can be a great addition to a boring long road trip as it provides interesting highlights of your location during the trip.
Price: Free.
Best for: When you need to travel by public transport.
Citymapper is a truly unique app on this list. Unlike Google Maps, this app is built to show you routes and directions specifically for traveling by public transit.
Citymapper has an up-to-date database with all public transport routes that will help you navigate the city and never miss a bus again. Among other useful features is fare information, as well as the ability to save your favorite places.
Are you ready to ditch Google Maps?
With so many options out there for sure, it shouldn’t be a problem to find a service like Google Maps, but one that will suit your needs better.
Have you used one of these alternatives to Google Maps before? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
