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Google Maps is the de facto navigation app for many. If you need to make a switch, there are many options available. But you don’t need to try all of them; here are the best Google Maps alternatives to help you narrow your search.
1Apple Maps
If you have an iPhone and are invested in Apple’s ecosystem, the best Google Maps alternative is Apple Maps. Despite being a bad app in the early days, Apple has refined the app over time to become one of the best navigation apps on the market, as evident in ourApple Maps vs. Google Maps comparison. It offers an intuitive interface and is easy to use, just like Google Maps.
Apple Maps includes directions, location sharing, place cards, and an interactive 3D view to help users better understand places. It also has a dedicated birds-eye view feature called Flyover that allows you to view supported cities from the top and many guides to help you find things to see and do in a certain city. Apple Maps can also help you beat traffic using real-time traffic data.
Download: Apple Maps foriOS
2HERE WeGo
Like other options in this list, HERE WeGo is a free, solid app for navigation if you want to switch from Google Maps. It offers different navigation features with an easy-to-use interface. It has two views: a default normal view like Google Maps' and a second satellite view to get a better perspective of an area. For directions, it offers turn-by-turn guidance and allows you to plan your routes ahead of time with stops.
HERE WeGo provides detailed navigation options for various modes of transportation, including driving, cycling, walking, public transit, and even car-sharing services. It also has real-time traffic updates that are perfect for finding the best routes during peak hours to avoid traffic jams. Depending on your needs, there’s also an offline mode.
Download: Here WeGo forAndroid|iOS(Free)
Although it doesn’t support global navigation like other options in this list, it excels as a navigation app for its up-to-date satellite imagery and maps, real-time traffic updates, optimized routing to save on gas, and multi-point routes (allowing multiple stops).
Points of interest like gas stations, eateries, banks, and more are searchable in the app, which makes it easy for visitors to navigate any city. The only limitation of MapQuest is that it’s currently only available in two markets (USA and Canada), unlike our other Google Maps alternatives.
Download: MapQuest forAndroid|iOS(Free)
Although Google also owns Waze, it’s a solid navigation app that allows you to switch from Google Maps. First, its community-driven focus makes it a more attractive alternative. Aside from that, many reasons make it worthswitching from Google Maps to Waze. Waze’s main focus is to be the best navigation app by using crowd-sourced information from drivers in the network for real-time traffic updates.
It prioritizes the fastest routes with its automatic rerouting based on live traffic, and you’re able to plan and customize your route ahead of time (for instance, to avoid toll roads), making it a must-have when moving from one point to another.
Download: Waze forAndroid|iOS
5OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is an open-source, community-driven mapping platform that has been around for years. Getting started is easy, and you don’t need an account. Using OpenStreetMap, navigation from one point to another is as easy as on Google Maps.
you’re able to choose the starting point, destination, and means of transportation (car, bicycle, or on foot). It has offline navigation support, and you can view the map in normal mode or 3D. It supports trip recording and includes points of interest on the map for those who love adventure.
Download: OsmAnd forAndroid|iOS(Free, In-app purchases available)
MAPS.ME uses open-source OpenStreetMap data for navigation. However, what makes the app stand out as a solid Google Maps alternative is its primary focus on offline use, letting you download entire regions or even countries. Suppose you love adventure and travel and would love the offline navigation support offered by Google Maps, MAPS.ME is one of the best options for that. Right out of the gate, when you install the app, it will ask you to download the map of a region or country you wish to view.
This offline-first focus makes MAPS.ME one of thebest apps for offline navigation on Androidand iOS. The interface is easy to use, and it offers all the basics you need from a navigation app, like turn-by-turn navigation, places, and guides. The only downside of its offline-first focus is that you don’t get real-time updates, and its public transit directions can be limited.
Download: MAPS.ME forAndroid|iOS(Free, subscription available)
Google Maps might be the most popular navigation app on the market, but it isn’t the only option available. There are many alternatives, but we’ve listed the best you should consider if you want to switch. Give each a try and see what best fits your personal needs.
