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Navigation / GPS apps are a godsend when you’re traveling. Finding your way around a place you’ve never been can be a challenge without proper navigation. Such apps are also immensely useful in traffic, as they share a ton of information with you, including the exact route you need to take. Such apps can guide you exactly to your destination, while keeping you informed of what’s happening on the road, etc. Having said that, we’ve hand-picked the very best navigation apps for Android, at least our favorite ones.
In the list below, you’ll find 10 applications. Do note these are only our favorites, there are a lot more apps available in the Google Play Store, of course. Chances are you’ve already heard about some of these apps. In case you are not happy with your current navigation / GPS app, this list may help you. You’ll find a description for every app down below, along with more information.
Top 10 Best Navigation Android Apps 2022
Below is a quick overview of the top 10 best navigation Android apps for 2022, including any download and in-app purchase costs.
| Download Cost | In-app cost (per item) | |
| Google Maps | ✕ | ✕ |
| HERE WeGo | ✕ | ✕ |
| Waze | ✕ | ✕ |
| Sygic | ✕ | $0.99-$74.99 |
| Polaris | ✕ | $0.99 |
| OsmAnd | ✕ | $1.63-$29.99 |
| BackCountry Navigator | $14.99 | $3.99-$24.99 |
| MAPS.ME | ✕ | ✕ |
| Scout | ✕ | $4.99-$24.99 |
| MapFactor | ✕ | $0.99-$59.99 |
Top 10 Best Navigation Android Apps 2022 Downloads
Below is a little more information on each app, a suggestion for the type of user the app is best suited to, and a direct link for easy downloading.
All download links go to the app’s Google Play Store listing. Users are always recommended to download apps from Google Play or an authorized app store.
Google Maps
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: No
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Google Maps is easily the best-known navigation app out there. This is a multi-platform app, and one that is arguably the best choice for the vast majority of people. This app doesn’t only serve as your navigation while you’re traveling somewhere, but it also holds a ton of information about pretty much every location. It can help you find places to eat, things to see, etc.
Google Maps can provide you with real-time ETAs and traffic conditions, and will also share transit information with you, though only in some regions. The app will show you what places are trending, and it allows you to access group planning options. You can also create lists of favorite places to share with your friends. Google Maps allow you to help others by reviewing places you’ve visited. The best of all, the app is completely free, and it doesn’t include ads.
HERE WeGo
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: No
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars
HERE WeGo is an excellent alternative to Google Maps. This app was actually known as Nokia HERE maps in the past, but the owner changed, and so did its name. HERE WeGo app allows you to download offline maps for entire countries, and update them as needed. Therefore, you never have to worry about having an Internet connection. The design of this app is also quite excellent.
The details on these maps are easily visible, and the UI is great in general. You can book a taxi via this app, while the app does contain a ton of information about a lot of locations. Turn-by-turn voice guidance is available, while you can also access public transit information for 1,300+ cities around the world. This app is also free to use, though ads are included, but they’re far from being intrusive.
Waze
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: No
- Size: Varies with device
- Google Play rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Waze is an app that has been purchased by Google a while back. Google has been improving this app every step of the way, and it’s now better than ever. The app can provide you best routes to your destination with real-time alerts for traffic, police, accidents, and more. You, the community, is what makes this app great, as drivers are the ones who share updates on road conditions.
The app can alert you when you reach the speed limit, so that you avoid tickets, and drive safer at the same time. Waze will also keep you informed on toll costs for the duration of your journey. It can also help you find cheaper gas on your route, and you can also listen to your favorite music and podcasts from the app. This app is also Android Auto compatible, and has a great UI.
Sygic
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $0.99-$74.99
- Size: 93MB
- Google Play rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Sygic is a great navigation app in general, but it especially shines when it comes to alternate routes. This app can help you find them with ease. The app is equipped with your regular features, as well, so it won’t lack in that regard either. You can download maps via this app, for offline use. The app is based on TomTom maps, in case you’re wondering. As already mentioned, the app provides all the standard features, such as turn-by-turn navigation, speed limit display, etc.
The base model of the app is good enough, but if you need some extra features, you can always opt for a subscription service. You can opt to pay $13.99, $17.99, or $29.99, depending on what subscription you want to access. Each of those subscription models do deliver some interesting new features, and perks that you may be interested in. Sygic also has a really nice UI, like most apps on this list.
Polaris
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $0.99
- Size: 18MB
- Google Play rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you want to access multiple mapping services via one app, Polaris is the way to go. This app is trying to be your all-in-one navigation service, and it’s actually doing a good job. The app provides you access to Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, MapQuest, and Cycle Route Maps. The app offers some interesting features. One of its features is trail recording, and a unique waypoint management system.
You’ll also find some specialized features for camping, fishing, camping, hunting, and various other outdoor activities. Those of you who are wondering if standard features are included, yes, they are. Features like turn-by-turn navigation, for example. Truth be said, this app doesn’t look all that modern, it actually looks quite dated. Still, it works really well, and offers some features no other app has.
OsmAnd
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $1.63-$29.99
- Size: 65MB
- Google Play rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
OsmAnd is a bit different than most navigation apps you’ll find in the Play Store. How it defers? Well, it focuses on providing maps that you can use offline. The app even comes with offline search, so that it makes things easier. That’s a very rare feature when it comes to mapping services. You will find regular navigation features in it, though, features such as turn-by-turn navigation, for example.
OsmAnd maps are great if you’re traveling somewhere you don’t expect to have an Internet connection at. It’s great for foreign countries and so on. The app also provides different types of cycling routes. while it can show you the speed limit in a specific area while you’re driving. Day and night modes are switched automatically by the app, and driving routes get rebuilt whenever you deviate from them.
BackCountry Navigator
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $3.99-$24.99
- Size: 30MB
- Google Play rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars
BackCountry Navigator is completely different than pretty much every other app on this list. How? Well, this app caters to hikers, mostly. This app will provide you with a ton of offline topographical maps, which are perfect for finding your way around hiking trails, woods, and wilderness in general. This app is great if you don’t have data service where you’re at, and that’s often the case on hikes.
You can even mark your favorite spots on the map, simply add a marker. One thing to note is that this app is oriented towards US users. Also, this is not a free app. You can try the demo version if you want, but if you plan on using the app, you’ll need to pay up. You have a few choices in that regard, depending on your needs. If you go on hikes often, this app is well-worth it.
Download BackCountry Navigator
MAPS.ME
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: No
- Size: 190MB
- Google Play rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
MAPS.ME is yet another, excellent mapping choice. This app is especially great when it comes to searching offline, as that is a feature it offers… offline navigation, and connection options. You can even download full offline travel guides, depending on where you’re going. Turn-by-turn directions are included here, and this app uses the OpenStreetMap mapping service. The app can provide you with traffic data, if available in your region.
It’s very easy to bookmark a location in MAPS.ME, while the app caters to users everywhere. This app is basically trying to be a direct competitor to Google Maps, and it’s actually doing a pretty good job. This app is free to use, though do note that there some ads included. Those ads are not intrusive by any means, and chances are they won’t bother you. This is a good alternative to Google Maps.
Scout
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $4.99-$24.99
- Size: 29MB
- Google Play rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Scout is a navigation app that doesn’t try too hard to be something it’s not. It focuses on basic features, and it does that really well. This app used to be called ‘TeleNav’, that’s a name some of you may remember it by. Things did change quite a bit since then, as the app has been refreshed with a new image. The app did not change its goal, though, providing navigation in a simple way.
This application will provide you with turn-by-turn navigation, while it also has the social media element. It will also show you the most popular restaurants on the map, and provide you with live ETAs. The app can notify you when traffic is slower than usual on your daily commute, while you can find the cheapest gas along your route as well. There are more features included here, and Scout is worth checking out.
MapFactor
- Price: Free to download
- In-app purchases: $0.99-$59.99
- Size: 49MB
- Google Play rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
If you just need the very basics when it comes to navigation, MapFactor is a great choice. This app focuses on providing just that, and it’s doing a great job. This app is also based on OpenStreetMap, and it offers offline maps that are updated monthly. You’ll get all the basic features you may think of with this application, including turn-by-turn navigation, and accompanying features.
It allows you door-to-door route planning, while you can set points of interest if you want. 2D/3D mode options are available, while the app offers routing modes for cars, buses, trucks, pedestrians, and cyclists. You can even select the route avoidance option if you’d like to avoid a specific part of the map. The app also comes with some optional, paid features, which may be worth it for you. Those features include professional TomTom maps, head-up display, no ads, app color themes, and more.