8 of the best offline GPS maps apps for Android

posted by Chris P. / Feb 13, 2015, 9:31 AM

8 of the best offline GPS maps apps for Android

As much as we appreciate Google's extensive Maps app, it's got a very serious weakness that has allowed relatively smaller companies to compete: offline navigation.

Sure, nowadays Google Maps allow you to cache a piece of a map for later use, but the size limitation simply won't cut it for most. Especially if you're touring another country, and are looking at ludicrous roaming charges for data, or, for example, if you're the wilderness type and need something really solid to rely on during your outings.

Thankfully, the Play Store does not want for offline navigation maps, of which there are plenty. Many of them are free, but many also have some type of limitations to them that the developers have put in order to motivate you to buy the full version. In any case, find below 5 of the best offline navigation apps for Android that we picked for you.

8 of the best offline GPS maps apps for Android

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42 Comments

1. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

No Tom Tom?

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 5:38 AM 2

18. NexusKoolaid

Posts: 493; Member since: Oct 24, 2011

"GPS Navigation & Maps by Sygic is The World’s Most Installed Offline GPS Navigation App powered by TomTom Maps."

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 10:33 AM 1

19. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

I know Sygic uses TomTom maps, same as Apple Maps. But TomTom has an app themselves as well. Btw I do use Sygic myself

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 10:47 AM 2

26. ivanprskalo

Posts: 124; Member since: Dec 09, 2010

and no Navigon and CoPilot live??

posted on Aug 17, 2014, 5:24 AM 0

2. nlbates66

Posts: 328; Member since: Aug 15, 2012

mmk, hadn't actually heard of any of these ones before. On my Android devices I used Navigon which had offline availability, but now I no longer use an Android device as my phone.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 5:43 AM 2

4. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Thats the one i used on my note 3, though wish they would have done ios and wp too.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 6:41 AM 1

3. gd761

Posts: 216; Member since: Sep 18, 2012

Where the HELL is NAVIGON?! NAVIGON is one that should be in the TOP 2, but someone was Sleeping, Drunk, or High for leaving NAVIGON off of this list!

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 5:49 AM 3

21. torr310

Posts: 1724; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

They are recommending FREE apps. Navigon costs $30 for USA map.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 2:44 PM 1

25. Fellwalker

Posts: 545; Member since: Apr 04, 2014

No, they said many of them are free

posted on Aug 16, 2014, 5:04 PM 1

29. Deadeye37

Posts: 312; Member since: Jan 25, 2011

They do have Navigon. See #2 It links to the Garmin developer so you can choose the Navigon app for your region (~$40-$60 per region)

posted on Feb 13, 2015, 10:36 AM 0

41. gd761

Posts: 216; Member since: Sep 18, 2012

Waze was there in the Original Post and then replaced with Navigon ONLY AFTER My Comment.

posted on Sep 29, 2016, 11:24 AM 0

5. XperiaFanZone

Posts: 2280; Member since: Sep 21, 2012

Thanks for the article.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 6:44 AM 0

6. ManusImperceptus

Posts: 724; Member since: Jun 10, 2014

One of the big advantages of using a Nokia; Good ol' Here Maps FTW! B-)

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:23 AM 0

32. tedkord

Posts: 17509; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

How is it an advantage when anyone else can use it, too?

posted on Feb 13, 2015, 11:16 AM 1

37. cdm283813

Posts: 424; Member since: Jan 10, 2015

And it probably runs better on my Note 4 then any other Nokia device

posted on Feb 14, 2015, 8:17 AM 0

7. RandomUsername

Posts: 808; Member since: Oct 29, 2013

City Maps 2Go?

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:26 AM 0

8. gd761

Posts: 216; Member since: Sep 18, 2012

NAVIGON is on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. I have had a NAVIGON GPS in My car long before it was even on Any Mobile. I have tried All of the other Major GPS and none could match NAVIGON on it's worst day. Now that Garmin has bought NAVIGON, they have a Really Good GPS for the Car. I have Recommended NAVIGON to ALL My Friends and Family and Co-Workers. All of My Mobile Devices have NAVIGON Installed as the Primary GPS and ONLY GPS that I use.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:32 AM 1

14. gd761

Posts: 216; Member since: Sep 18, 2012

See for yourself about NAVIGON for Android, iOS, & Windows Phone. http://www.navigon.com/portal/us/produkte/navigationssoftware/index.html

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 8:28 AM 0

9. uvaman

Posts: 45; Member since: Jan 14, 2013

PAYED ARTICLE Because Sygic is now on discount 50%......

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:34 AM 0

10. fanboy1974

Posts: 1345; Member since: Nov 12, 2011

Copilot has gotten better. I recommend a test run if you haven't used it for a few years. Not perfect but it feels close to a true gps unit.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:46 AM 0

11. ibap

Posts: 871; Member since: Sep 09, 2009

CoPilot in various flavors.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:46 AM 0

12. ibap

Posts: 871; Member since: Sep 09, 2009

Maps.me - Cyrillic? Really?

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:48 AM 0

13. ibap

Posts: 871; Member since: Sep 09, 2009

And for Sygic? BAD links for most of these.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:49 AM 0

15. neela_akaash

Posts: 1239; Member since: Aug 05, 2014

The article image is from sygic and its not even in the list...

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 8:59 AM 0

16. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Ummm. Sygic is number two in the list.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 9:22 AM 0

17. Totse2k15

Posts: 479; Member since: Feb 11, 2014

TomTom USA and Sygic only for me.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 10:10 AM 0

20. younger06

Posts: 15; Member since: Apr 06, 2014

I have been using Sygic since my Nseries Nokia days, it's brilliant!!

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 11:28 AM 0

22. wilsong17 unregistered

Google offline win win

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 5:13 PM 0

23. mildorzalost

Posts: 143; Member since: Jun 03, 2014

HERE Drive?... Is the best

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 7:40 PM 0

24. henpan unregistered

The size for Google offline map is so limited that you can't even use it to travel across one small state let along touring across the country which is too bad, Google Map is the most easiest navigation app for android. I tried out Sygic and a couple of other offline map before, it was far from user friendly.

posted on Aug 15, 2014, 10:32 PM 1

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