Stepping away from Google Maps led me to some hidden-gem alternatives and also some dealbreakers. You may find my final choice surprising.

In 2025, a navigation app is no longer just a digital map — it’s an ai-powered travel assistant that brings together real-time traffic conditions, offline maps, advanced route planning, 3D maps, ...

I have learned the hard way that mobile data often fails you when you need it the most. There are moments when navigation apps become unreliable, whether it’s a long stretch of highway with no signal ...

CoMaps is community-driven, open-source, transparent, and the developers aren't concerned with making a profit. The app is fairly new (just hitting Google Play Store and the Apple App Store around ...

You'd think that Google Maps and Waze are the best navigation apps worldwide, but picking the top app for you comes down to features that may not be available in Google's software. This is why the ...

The problem with Google Maps comes down to its design. It’s an online-first app that depends on constant data to update ...

Google Maps leads the navigation app market, but if you've faced traffic jams while it promised to save time, or lost signal when you needed directions, you know it's not for everyone. Maybe you need ...

Apple Maps has evolved into a robust and versatile navigation platform, offering a suite of features designed to simplify travel and enhance exploration. Whether you’re commuting to work, planning a ...

You probably open Google Maps almost every day — to find a café, dodge traffic, or plan a weekend hike. But beyond the usual ...

Not long ago, it seemed you had to pay a fortune to get one of the most advanced features among running and fitness watches, offline maps. This is where map data is downloaded to the watch’s own ...

Anu is a Features author at Android Police. You'll find her writing in-depth pieces about automation tools, productivity apps, and explainers. Before joining AP, she used to write for prominent tech ...