We all use our iPhones for a variety of tasks, every day. One of these tasks is getting directions to places that we’d like to visit, or checking up on traffic on our commute to and from work. Maps, GPS, and navigation apps are what we use in these situations to figure out the best route to reach a destination and to get an idea of how long it will take us to get there. Say, you’re visiting a new city, and you need to visit the best places that the city has to offer; it’s GPS and navigation apps to the rescue. The same goes for situations where you want to prevent getting lost in a new, unknown city. With that in mind, here are the 10 best GPS and navigation apps for iPhone, that you should consider having on your device in 2020.
When you are spoilt with choices, nailing down the one that can meet both your taste and demand becomes a little tricky. But worry not, this is where a few tips have a decisive role to play. So, breaking down them all right at the beginning would be the right way to go, wouldn’t it?
With time, navigation apps have become really smarter and of course more helpful than ever before. While Google Maps can still claim to be ahead of the pack, rivals have caught up really well – so much so that some of them even beat Google’s famed offering on quite a few fronts. As to what can fit ideally to your needs, look at each app from the eyes of your top priorities i.e live traffic updates, offline maps, detailed travel guide, and more. To help you easily pick out the one that’s most likely to get along with your requirements, we have highlighted the top features of each app, while also giving a sort of one-line verdict. With that said, let’s hop onto the top GPS and navigation apps for iPhone, shall we?
You didn’t expect any other app to slot in at the top spot, did you? Needless to say, Google Maps is by far the most widely used, and trusted GPS, and navigation app in the world. Developed by Google, and distributed for free, the app features accurate traffic data, multiple modes of transport for navigation and directions, as well as automatic re-routing in navigation due to traffic conditions, or missed turns, and exits.
The app also features street view, and indoor imagery, to allow users to virtually visit a place, before deciding on physically visiting it. Best of all, though, is the feature that allows users to save maps for offline use so that they can get directions, and search the offline maps, even when they don’t have any data connectivity. This can prove extremely handy while visiting new cities, or going abroad.
Maps.ME is a free app that boasts of maps for over 600 cities across 100 countries. So, no matter where you’re going, chances are Maps.ME will have the maps for that place. The app is aimed at tourists, and people who’re traveling, and includes detailed maps, including restaurants, tourist destinations, gas stations, etc. For hill-stations, Maps.ME includes ski-slopes and stations. The app also allows users to download maps for offline use, and search them without any data connectivity. In terms of accuracy, it’s up to the task thanks largely to the ever-growing OpenStreetMap (open-source) contributors.
Waze is an app from Waze Inc, that got acquired by Google, back in 2013. The app is crowdsourced and depends on the users to source its traffic data. It allows users to report accidents, hazards, road closures, etc, in order to help other drivers using the app. So, if the traffic is jam-packed, the app will change it to ensure you don’t get stuck. You can keep a track of alerts about traffic, police, and accidents so that your journey can remain swift. The app also features turn-by-turn voice navigation and incorporates an ETA sharing feature, that allows users to share their ETA with the people they’re meeting. Besides, it can help you find the cheapest fuel along the route to help you save money.
If you have a liking for music, you will have the needed freedom to play your favorite music apps and also listen to podcasts during the long drive. But these are just a few highlights as the app has got more tricks up its sleeve than what meets the eyes. Overall, if you want your journey to not get stuck due to unexpected things, look no further than the Waze navigation app.
Gone are the times when Apple Maps felt like just making numbers on the iPhone. While the app is still nowhere near Google Maps in terms of features, it has caught really well in recent times thanks largely to the arrival of a host of new features including ETA sharing, the option to avoid tolls and motorways and more. The app features a simple interface, and focuses on letting the user choose the destination, and then providing them with directions, and navigation.
To find out more about Apple Maps, head over here.
CityMaps2Go is an app that features detailed maps that can be saved offline by the users, in order to be accessed even when there is no data connectivity. The maps can be saved for cities, states, or even entire countries in one go. With more than 150 countries and 60000 destinations, it has got one of the most detailed and massive maps ecosystem. On the map, users can save places, and add them to lists. They can also organize the saved places into the categories that they want.
6. Scout GPS Navigation
The Scout GPS Navigation app features real-time traffic, and speed updates, to ensure that users always know when they’ll reach their destination. Before starting navigation, users can click on all the available routes to get turn-by-turn directions for the selected route. As it’s powered by OpenStreetMap, it offers accurate information. The app also allows users to share their ETA with one or more of their contacts, and features a list of frequently contacted people, to make it easier for the user to share their ETA on the go.
Sygic GPS is another great GPS app for the iPhone, that features voice-guided navigation, along with live-traffic updates so users know the exact traffic conditions at all times. The app features speed camera warnings, along with dynamic lane guidance for safe lane changing. With the handy voice-guided navigation at the disposal, you can focus on driving their car, without having to look at the navigation screen every few seconds.
Here WeGo is the name of the map app previously known as Here Maps, by Nokia. Providing coverage in over 100 countries and public transit information for more than 1300 famous cities including New York, London, Berlin, Munich, Paris, and Barcelona, it’s at par with the best in the business. The app features multiple modes of transport for navigation and allows users to save maps offline so that they can be accessed even when there is no data connection available. The offline functionality of the app includes street information as well so that users can get turn-by-turn navigation, even when they are offline.
If you are planning on using public transport, or taxis for their journey, the app allows you to check the prices of tickets, or the taxi fare for the location that they want to go to. Just like many of its counterparts, it also offers offline maps so that you can navigate places without having to burn your cellular data. What’s more, the app features integrations with popular services such as TripAdvisor, BlaBla Car, Expedia as well to help you plan your travel without having to hop from one end to the other.
The MapQuest app features voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, along with real-time traffic updates, and automatic re-routing based on traffic conditions on the road ahead. Therefore, you can avoid most gridlocks, and have as smooth a journey, as possible. And with the fully optimized routing, it helps you save plenty of precious time. Another feature that makes it quite helpful for travelers is the option to compare prices of nearby gas stations. Thus, finding the one that offers the best deal should never be a problem.
Price: Free
The Triposo is app is not so much a fully-fledged GPS and navigation app, as it is an app aimed at tourists. The app doesn’t feature a complete world map. Instead, it features maps of a lot of the major tourist destinations worldwide. The maps for these cities can be downloaded by the user for offline use for uninterrupted navigation even without a cellular connection. These maps feature a plethora of points of interest in the selected city and allow users to get directions to the points of interest that they want to get to.
