Top 5 Best Free Offline GPS Apps for Android and iOS
It’s never a good feeling to get lost, whether it’s on the national road or in the inner, busy streets of a big city. This is especially true when you don’t have access to a reliable GPS navigation system, such as when your phone runs out of battery. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with a list of 10 GPS applications that you can use offline.
Most of the GPS apps in this article will be familiar to frequent drivers and navigation app users. But what sets these apps apart from one another?
What qualities make a good navigation application?
A good GPS app should be simple and reliable. Its purpose is to help us get to our destination as quickly and efficiently as possible. Therefore, the user interface plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. If an app is too complicated, it can be difficult to manage and requires too much attention. Plus, browsing a small screen while driving can be dangerous.
A clean, easy-to-use GPS application is much more practical than an overly complicated one with numerous settings.
Reliability is crucial, especially in a massive city, as it doesn’t matter which streets we take. If we get stuck in a traffic jam, we could be stranded for hours, and our plans for the day will be ruined. If an app doesn’t notify you of a turn, it can also cause many problems. It could expire tens of kilometers away, leading to missed turns and delays.
Now, let’s take a look at the best GPS apps that can also be used offline.
The Best Offline GPS Apps
1. Google Maps
You could also call it the “good old reliable.” Google Maps cannot be excluded from any navigation list, and although many people are unaware, it can also be used offline since the latest update. Moreover, if you have already downloaded a route, the application automatically switches to an offline version if it detects a weak internet connection on the way – so you do not have to let go of the steering wheel for a moment (safety is key).
The biggest advantage of the app is that you probably already know it well, so you do not need to learn new movements and forms in order to work with it without problems. All you need to do is activate offline maps in the main settings of the application (this is probably already the case by default). Maps that have already been added will be available for 30 days, after which the app will automatically delete them.
You can download the Google Maps GPS application at:
2. Organic Maps
Organic Maps is a downloadable map for both Android and iOS, and it is open source, which means that it can be modified by users. This feature makes it particularly useful for those who have specific requirements or preferences for their navigation app.
The app offers a wide range of maps that can be downloaded, including some that are not available on other navigation apps. It is particularly suited for hiking, but it also includes maps for cyclists and pedestrians, making it a versatile navigation app.
Like other apps on this list, Organic Maps can also be used offline, and it has a clean and user-friendly interface.
You can download the Organic Maps GPS application from the app store:
3. Maps.Me
Maps.Me could even be a strong contender for the title of the world’s best offline GPS app, and for good reason. It offers the entire world map for download with no restrictions on downloadable areas. Based on OpenStreetMap data, the app provides clear and detailed street-level mapping, even displaying house numbers.
In other words, you can search for precise addresses and use location sharing without worrying about roaming fees. Maps.Me is the easiest-to-use and most transparent navigation app, in our opinion.
You can download maps of individual countries and smaller regions, so you can always have the neighborhood you’re visiting. (It’s advisable to download the maps in advance if you want to use them in offline mode, as downloading them while on the road essentially uses your mobile internet.)
You can download the Maps.Me GPS application here:
4. OsmAnd
OsmAnd is a completely free navigation app with reliable offline functionality and even includes hiking routes, making it useful not only for navigating cities but also for outdoor excursions.
With the free version, users can download up to 10 maps (including a world map), but some features such as contour lines require payment. Other features such as audio and video comments can be enabled without extra charges.
You can download the OsmAnd GPS application:
5. Here we go
Here WeGo is another free GPS app that simplifies city navigation. It offers comprehensive routes and information on all modes of transportation, including bus, tram, and bike paths.
Here WeGo provides detailed and user-friendly maps of hundreds of countries worldwide that can be downloaded for offline use.
The Here WeGo GPS app is available for download:
So these are the best offline GPS apps available for both Android and iOS. Which of the apps on the list do you use? Do you prefer to use a navigation application in the city or during longer drives? Feel free to write your answer in the comments and don’t forget to share the article so it reaches others!
