Without an internet connection, it is still possible to use the GPS of your phone at no additional cost. To do this, find our selection of offline GPS applications available on Android and iPhone.
A journey on Google Maps // Source: Frandroid
Among other tech objects, the smartphone has replaced GPS for many to navigate on a daily basis, whether by car, on foot, by bike or even to find oneself in public transport. However, there is still a constraint to this: the presence of an internet connection. Fortunately, there are GPS navigation apps that work perfectly offline.
Whether you are abroad, your package does not offer you an envelope data sufficient or whether you are traveling deep in a white area that your operator does not yet cover, you can always find your way thanks to our selection of the best GPS applications available without an internet connection, both on Android and on iPhone.
Note that if you have internet access, you can also find live traffic information to avoid traffic jams with this selection of applications.
Free apps
Google Maps
Present by default on all Android smartphones and installed for a very long time on the market, Google Maps is THE reference when it comes to following a route while Apple Maps is only just beginning to compete on the accuracy of its cartography. But beware: by default, Google Maps works entirely online and loads maps in real time.
To use the GPS without an internet connection, you must first download the map of the region. In a few seconds, you can thus download the data of a complete country and use Google Maps without internet. However, the downloadable area is not infinite.
HereWeGo
Previously owned by Nokia, Here WeGo is a free mapping software acquired by an automotive consortium including BMW and Audi, among others. It is the most complete GPS application without an internet connection with more than a hundred country maps to download.
It offers turn-by-turn voice guidance with detailed information and above all integrates public transport data (metro, bus, tram, etc.) in more than 1,300 cities.
In addition, if you temporarily have an internet connection (at the hotel for example), you can plan your route with additional information, such as traffic jams, in order to find the fastest route.
Maps.Me
Maps.Me is one of the most popular apps (over 120 million downloads), when it comes to using offline maps. It allows you to download maps for most countries in the world with a complete cartography of cities down to street names.
This allows the application to also be able to calculate complete routes on foot, by car or by public transport, always offline.
When connected to the Internet, Maps.me allows you to bring together the points of interest of several services, such as the hotels referenced by Booking, but also the classic restaurants, distributors, transport stations, etc.
Above all, Maps.Me is totally free, but includes some non-intrusive advertisements. A subscription allows you to get rid of it and support the developers.
OsmAnd
OsmAnd, based on the famous Open Street Maps, allows you to download maps of any region and even offers to save a general map of the world to facilitate GPS navigation.
The application offers a great knowledge of the roads around the world thanks to its map system open-source which can be completed by the community. OsmAnd’s interface is however complex (but complete) to learn, and the display of the maps can be long.
Paid apps
The following three applications are undoubtedly the most complete offline GPS, but you have to put your hand in your pocket to take advantage of them during navigation. They include many options and you can benefit from a trial period. Sufficient for a week’s vacation for example. The champions of this sector are Sygic, TomTom and copilot, all three capable of operating without an internet connection… and without ever getting lost on the maps.
Sygic
Sygic is probably our favorite paid GPS application. It offers a clear and intuitive interface, as well as interesting options for navigation: save the location of your parked car, a history of the places visited in a travel book, and the SOS mode allowing you to locate the nearest emergency services. closer and to contact them. In short, it is an extremely complete GPS.
The application is free, but offers many of its features for a fee of 49.99 to 99.99 euros.
CoPilot GPS
CoPilot is a nice alternative to Sygic. With its ability to download maps of all continents, it also offers speed indications, a compass and nearby hotels or car parks. The application is also suitable for heavy goods vehicles with adapted routes.
CoPilot GPS is free for 14 days. Thereafter, you must subscribe at the price of 14.99 euros per year.
TomTom Go
Thereby leader GPS navigation, TomTom is looking for its place on our phones with TomTom Go. This offline GPS application offers some very practical features such as lane guidance so you never miss your motorway exit, danger zone warnings or even a favorite places mode.
TomTom Go is free if you drive less than 75 km in the month with the application. If you exceed this limit, you must subscribe to a one-year subscription at 19.99 euros or 3 years at 44.99 euros.
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