Best GPS Apps for iPhone & iPad for 2021

iPhone and iPad users have, in addition to Apple Maps, a number of fine mapping apps from which to choose. Here are 10 of the best navigation tools for your iOS device.

Google Maps has earned its position as a leading mapping application by delivering outstanding turn-by-turn directions. The free app includes a simple searching feature, support for points of interest, arguably the best map designs in this roundup and real-time traffic updates. Google Maps has become a favorite for online users and is the most popular third-party mapping app in Apple’s App Store.

MapQuest has had a long and storied history, but now it finds itself trying to compete in the mobile market. MapQuest, a free download, offers turn-by-turn voice navigation for both walking and driving. Users also get estimated arrival times and information on a particular road’s speed limit. MapQuest includes support for Uber and car2go, for those who want to book a ride through the app.

Verizon Wireless might be best known as a cellular provider, but it’s also competing in the mapping world. The company’s VZ Navigator app includes points of interest as well as travel services such as gas stations and restaurants, along with turn-by-turn directions and weather tracking. VZ Navigator is free for 30 days, but then comes with a $5 monthly subscription fee. Those who don’t want to incur that charge can pay 99 cents for 24 hours of use whenever they need it.

Google-owned Waze continues to improve. The free app includes standard features such as turn-by-turn directions, but it relies on app users to deliver up-to-date travel information, such as where traffic is slow, locations of roadwork or accidents, where police might be active and more. More recently, the app has added suggestions on where to park to get to an event or an appointment more quickly.

Citymapper lets users store their address to get home more quickly and see the best routes for getting to a location via everything from cars to buses. The app also suggests the best routes when riding in a taxi so drivers don’t rip off riders. However, the app, which is available for free, only works in select cities. Those who want Citymapper to come to their city can vote for it on the Citymapper website.

Similar to Citymapper, Here WeGo is designed for those who want to get around big cities. The app, which is available as a free download, comes with detailed routes, turn-by-turn directions and live traffic information for major cities around the world. It also offers offline map support, so users can get directions even when they don’t have an internet connection.

Sygic’s projection feature makes it one of the more popular free mapping apps in this roundup. By placing the iPhone on the dashboard and setting it to project, the app can display information on the windshield, including directions on when to turn and road speed limits. Sygic relies upon TomTom for its built-in maps, and offers free map updates all year long.

Moovit has quietly built a name for itself in the mobile-mapping industry by offering a nice software design and easy-to-understand directions. The free public transit app and mapping service updates directions in real time based on information it’s collected. It can provide information including how many stops are left, how long users should expect to wait at certain intersections and arrival information based on traffic conditions. The app also has a Favorites feature to store oft-traveled locations. It works in more than 850 cities worldwide.

One of the few appealing paid apps in the App Store is Garmin USA, a $50 program. The app essentially takes Garmin’s familiar software design and maps and plops them into iOS. The result is a full-featured app that includes maps for places around the world, suggested ways to get around detours and traffic information. Garmin’s app also has speed and red light camera alerts baked into the software.

Apple Maps is by no means the best app in this roundup, but those who don’t want to deal with a third-party application can try out Apple’s option. The app has received multiple upgrades in recent years, including the ability to find points of interest, suggestions on places to go and support for third-party app extensions. But most importantly, its accuracy has been improved, so now users can feel comfortable knowing the app won’t lead them astray. Apple Maps comes bundled with iOS at no additional charge.