Best Navigation and GPS App for Android 2020

In this digital era, there are a variety of useful apps being offered, and everyone probably agrees that one of the handiest apps in the market is Google maps, a GPS app for android. But, with the rise in competition, the real question is, is this app really the best GPS for Android? There are plenty of other map apps for Android phones out there like Waze, google maps, google earth, etc, many of which we’ll go through to determine the best GPS navigation app.

The criteria of selection are based on the price, whether the app is user-friendly, If it contains ads or offers in-app purchases, total user reviews, and the features it offers like voice guidance, turn by turn navigation, works offline, live traffic updates, etc. We’ll start off with the most obvious:

 

Google Maps

cycle route, Google Maps

Price: Free

User rating: 4.3 out of 5

Total reviews: 10,000,000+

In-app Purchases: None

Contains ads: Yes

One of the oldest and most popular navigation and GPS apps in this list is Google’s own application. The reason behind its popularity is pretty obvious, with a smooth and user-friendly interface, turn by turn voice navigation, real-time traffic updates, downloadable map portions for offline use, reviews for most places, and an estimation of the time of any journey, whether it’s done on a car, public transportation, via cycle or even walking, many will agree that you can’t get a better maps app than this.

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

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Waze

turn by turn navigation, WAZE

Price: Free

User rating: 4.4 out of 5

Total reviews: 7,000,000+

In-app Purchases: None

Contains ads: Yes

This is another popular GPS app for Android phones, and is quite similar to Google Maps! You could even say this app is like ‘Google Maps little sister’, and is quite social and fun but still has a lot to learn. This app has unique features, like it guides users according to community feedback, meaning it collects data from different sources and updates your routes and you according to them. It has an option to turn on alerts for any accidents up head, road blockage, police, and any dangerous routes,  has Spotify integrated into it, alerts users of areas with cheap gas, voice navigation available in multiple sources, including celebrity voices, remembers commonly used routes and so much more.

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

Download Now

 

BackCountry Navigator

the best gps app

Price: USD 14.99

User rating: 4.2 out of 5

Total reviews: 6000+ 

In-app Purchases: None

Contains ads: No

This is an app for adventurers and will act as your trusted partner during any hiking, hunting or excursion trip. There are plenty of map sources to choose from and you can even download maps for offline use, this is especially useful for areas where there is low data coverage or when you simply don’t want to be online. This app also has a GPS satellite view and a built-in compass to boot. The downside is it comes with a hefty price tag, but all good things come with a price, and this app is definitely a good one!

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

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HERE WeGo Maps

map apps for android

Price: Free

User rating: 4.3 out of 5

Total reviews: 400,000+

In-app Purchases: None

Contains ads: Yes

This GPS app for Android phones may possibly top the list as the best GPS app. There are plenty of reasons to support this claim as this app features an easy-to-use interface, with many users vouching it to be better than Google maps, the app even tells you about the cost of public transit tickets, cab fares, and other similar expenses. The selling point of this app is that it allows users to download the whole map of any country or city for offline usage. Along with these features, users can also view live traffic updates, voice-guidance, and even recommendations for the best traveling mode and route to go for, whether it’s public transportation, your own car or to travel through a cycle route. This app has it all! No wonder it’s a major competitor of Google Maps.

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

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Polaris GPS Navigation

Price: Free

User rating: 4.5 out of 5

Total reviews: 35,000+

In-app Purchases: Offered

Contains ads: Yes

This GPS app for Android tries to function in a similar way as BackCountry Navigator and acts as the perfect companion during hikes and off-road navigation. This app has access to other sources like Google maps, Topographic maps, Cycle Route and Hiking maps, and many others as well. This is an ideal app for any adventurer as it features a trail recorder, an unbeatable navigation system with many GPS tools and aids, and even good hiking trails and fishing points! Besides this, basic features like turn by turn navigation and map portions downloadable for offline use are also available.

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore. 

Download Now

 

Mapfactor

map apps for android

Price: Free

User rating: 4.6 out of five

Total reviews: 900,000+

In-app Purchases: Offered

Contains ads: Yes

This is one of the best-rated maps and navigation app for Android phones, with features and tools to support this high rating. This app for Android, with free offline maps from OpenStreetMap, offers voice navigation in different languages, points of interest, live traffic updates, speed camera warnings, and even have a 2D/3D mode which allows users to experience a realistic map display. This app is packed with other features and customization options as well. You really can’t go wrong with this app (Pun intended).

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

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Sygic GPS Navigation

android gps navigation

Price: Free

User rating: 4.7 out of 5

Total reviews: 1,500,000+

In-app Purchases: Offered

Contains ads: No

This massively popular GPS and navigation app for Android phones is considered one of the best maps app to date. It features similar features as other navigation apps like voice guidance, offline maps for all countries (powered by TomTom), live traffic updates and points of interest. Besides this, by purchasing premium versions of this app, users can access additional features like viewing a real-time performance of your car, speed camera warnings, fuel prices, Etc.

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

Download Now

MapQuest

android gps navigation

Price: Free

User rating: 4.2 out of 5

Total reviews: 55,000+

In-app Purchases: No

Contains ads: Yes

This is a sturdy GPS app that offers the usual features like turn by turn navigation, updated satellite imagery, real-time traffic updates, optimized routing, etc. Besides these, This navigation app has plenty of fun and useful features like creating and customizing a route to take, finding amazing hotel deals, viewing local weather, locating points for cheap gas and much more. This app is obviously not as good as other more powerful apps mentioned previously but it does what it’s supposed to, is free and has cool features too so it’s definitely worth a try.

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

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OsmAnd

Price: Free

User rating: 4.2 out of 5

Total reviews: 65,000+

In-app Purchases: Offered

Contains ads: None

This is a unique app which markets its features differently, it promotes offline use. This is the visually pleasing navigation app that functions both online and offline but should be the go-to app for anyone more inclined towards using maps offline. It offers normal features like GPS for android, turn by turn navigation, map portions downloadable for offline use, points of interests and an integrated compass. Besides this, it also has unique features like an automatic day/night mode switch, multiple modes for cycling routes, option of personalizing names which are shown on the map, and so much more. Many of the most useful features do require to be purchased, but this app is more than adequate without them as well.

This app is available for download on Google PlayStore.

Download Now

 

Each of the GPS apps listed performs well in their own way and is definitely worth downloading. Tell us about your favorite GPS and navigation app in the comments!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Waze vs Google Maps? 

Both apps have their perks and downsides. Waze loads faster than google maps. Therefore, it becomes easier to update your location in the system, and it presents you with re-route options more efficiently than the google maps when you are on the road. Waze is a community-based app and just for cars, mostly. In contrast, Waze does not have a more sophisticated GPS system than google apps, and it can also bug down from time to time more than the google apps. Google app is more of a data-based app and also shows walking, driving, biking, and public transportation directions.

GPS app for Android without the internet?

There are several GPS apps for Android, which can show the direction in the absence of the internet. These map apps for Android are Google Maps – it allows you to download and to save regional maps for offline use, Sygic GPS Navigation, and Offline Maps, OsmAnd, MAPS.ME, MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps, HERE WeGo, CoPilot GPS, and Genius Maps.

What is the most accurate GPS app for Android Phones?

Waze can be considered as the most accurate GPS app for Android only for the drivers who are traveling on the city streets daily. However, several other apps also provide precise information on Android GPS navigation systems, such as Maps.ME, Polaris GPS Navigation, Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps, MapFactor, ViaMichelin, MapQuest, and BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS Pro. 

What is the best golf GPS app for Android phones?

The app that is known to be the best golf GPS app for Android is Golfshot. Gulfshot is the best app for every casual links lover or a serious golfer. It is available for both Android and Apple, and also has some useful free and pro features.

Which phone has the best GPS 2020?

Many smartphones come with the best GPS navigation system in 2020; you just have to find the right one that works best for you. Some of the smartphones for GPS in 2020 are  Huawei P20 Pro, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S9, OnePlus 6T, Google Pixel 3 XL, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, LG G7 ThinQ, and Google Pixel 3.

Does GPS work without the internet?

GPS can work without the availability of an internet connection. It is available free of cost everywhere on earth. That is why even your car’s GPS navigation system works when there is no internet connection. 

How do I make my Android GPS more accurate?

You can make your Android GPS navigation system more accurate by changing some settings. Open your Android phone or device and go to the settings mode. Tap the location icon in there and switch the location on. Now, tap the mode icon labeled high accuracy and make your Android GPS more accurate.

 Why do I lose the GPS signal?

There can be several reasons for losing GPS signals. Such as when your device’s GPS system fails to communicate properly with the satellite. Other than this, it might be because your phone location is disabled and might be because you are not using the right location method.

How can I reduce my GPS accuracy?

When you turn off your phone’s Google location accuracy, then it uses GPS to find the location, which is slow and less accurate. You can turn your phone’s accuracy on and off by going into the settings, tapping the location, and then the advanced options. From here, you can improve or reduce your location accuracy.

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