The best app for gps navigation for android. Choosing the best navigator for Android

GPS navigation on a smartphone for a modern person is one of the most requested functions. After all, it is so important to be mobile and have up-to-date access to data about your location. Not only studying a foreign city, but also, if necessary, finding some street in your own, traveling or following a route for work purposes, it is important to get to the required place as quickly as possible.

But how to find the best navigator for Android? After all, there are a huge number of such navigators. And there is simply no time to test everyone. That is why we have carefully analyzed this software and, especially for you, have compiled the top navigators for Android 2018-2019, which will help to significantly optimize traffic on pedestrian and car routes.

#10 - MapFactor

This program is free and can be used to work on Android phones and tablets. Since the cards are installed directly in the gadget's memory (or on an SD card as an option), it is quite possible to use it without an Internet connection, which is very convenient. Maps are updated periodically. Typically, this happens once a month.

The functionality of the application allows you to plan your route in advance, choosing the best option from the list of options. Remarkably, if you exceed the speed limit, a characteristic sound warning appears. In addition, this free program fully satisfies the demand for full-fledged satellite navigation.

Important features of this program are:

• Drawing up a route plan;
• Intuitive navigation in various languages;
• Color schemes (day and night);
• You can add your routes and places;
• Rotate the map in the direction of your movement;
• Permanent updates and periodic map improvements;
• Work in 2D and 3D display format.

#9 - SYGIC

A worthy place in the category of the best navigators for android is in the SYGIC program. This modern application, which brings together 3D offline maps from TomTom. The functionality allows you to navigate even in a completely unfamiliar place. Since the developer is trying to be among the leaders, the innovative ability to give commands by voice is provided. The main purpose of such an application is to help motorists. Using the functionality of the program, it is easy to control the situation on the road, to form your route almost instantly, without wasting time on traffic jams.

• Ability to work offline without an active connection to the World Wide Web;
• Projection (navigation recommendations can be projected onto the windshield of a car, this is the highlight of the program);
• Search for the most successful route among the many offered to choose from;
• Driver warnings about speed limits, sharp turns, cameras that monitor traffic;
• Maps are constantly updated;
• Built-in information about points of interest.

No. 8 - OsmAnd

The program will be a good helper for tourists, drivers, those who are in a foreign city on a business trip. It is implemented in two versions - paid and free. Unfortunately the functionality free version cut off substantially. For example, it is limited in loading maps and does not provide support for local Wikipedia. The paid version can also be used when there is no active Internet connection. Access to the network is only necessary to download the program, maps, and then you can use the navigator offline.

The features of the program are:

• Availability of free and paid version;
• Switching to night and day mode;
• Ability to use without an Internet connection;
• The presence of useful functions - changing the size of the text, the option "show horizontal lines", "rendering style" and so on.

No. 7 - Navigator Seven Roads

If you need high-quality navigation in Russia, this option is quite suitable. What are its advantages and features? In the Play Market, about 15 thousand users rated this navigator at 4.2 points, which is quite good. The program itself is easy to use, its interface is very comfortable and intuitive.

The main features of the application are:

• Ability to use maps offline: download once and use;
• You can search for an object by name, not just by address;
• Choosing the most convenient and shortest route;
• Voice prompts;
• Saving routes;
• Customizing the program to suit your needs.

No. 6 - OsmAnd offline navigator for Android

A very worthy option for high-quality navigation, which captivates with a simple interface and a whole package of convenient options.

Among the features of the program, the following deserve attention:

• Ability to use without a connection to the World Wide Web.
• Smart routing functionality.
• In case of deviation from the previously set route, it is possible to recalculate it.
• Determining the time left before arriving at the destination.
• The ability to track movement on the map and zoom objects.
• Voice prompts.

#5 - Navitel GPS & Maps

The program attracts with the presence of very accurate navigation even offline, detailed high-quality maps of 64 countries of the world and other useful functionality.

Key Features this application:

• Ability to work on almost all phone models, even on the weakest;
• Accuracy, speed and a whole set of the most accurate and fresh maps for many cities in the world;
• Work in the absence of an active Internet connection;
• Convenient navigation;
• Informative cards.

No. 4 - Waze

Free software for fast and easy navigation. The program is available not only on the Android platform, but also on almost all other platforms. operating systems which makes it especially comfortable.

The features of this application are:

• The ability to track the situation on the roads online;
• Paving the most optimal and shortest routes;
• Providing information on the location of radars.

№3 - 2GIS

A high-quality modern program for comfortable navigation, which has a pleasant and quite convenient interface for daily use.

The main features of this application are the following:

• Selection of the most successful route option, taking into account the current traffic situation;
• You can calculate the time it will take to reach the final goal;
• Displays information about the distance between objects;
• The ability to automatically change the route, taking into account divorced bridges, traffic jams, blocked streets, etc.;
• Warning about speeding and the presence of traffic police cameras;
• Building a route bypassing toll roads;
• Availability of night mode;
• The ability to work offline, but in this case you will not be able to use the route building option, given the current traffic congestion.

#2 - Google Maps Navigation

This application is an indispensable assistant on the road. It has really powerful functionality that will delight you with its comfort and ease of use. Using such a program, you will spend a minimum of time on the road, even during the busiest time. You can easily find a cafe, restaurant or gas station along the way, navigate in a completely unfamiliar city.

The important features of this application are the following:

• Support GPR navigation;
• Information about traffic jams, public transport;
• Automatic restructuring of the route, taking into account the current situation on the road;
• In addition, such an application will tell you in advance which lane is better to choose for the exit or turn;
• Use offline, without an active Internet connection;
• You can lay out your route for movement by car, on foot or by public transport;
• The application database includes data and maps of 220 countries, descriptions of over 100 million places.

No. 1 - Yandex Navigator

The main features of this program are:

• The ability to plot a route taking into account traffic jams;
• Voice prompts, including in the background;
• Reflection of road events and even schemes of houses;
• Demonstration of the current speed, distance to the target and the expected time required for the route;
• Option to search for nearby objects of interest, such as restaurants, cinemas, gas stations;
• Work online and offline;
• Constant real-time traffic updates;
• Travel history;
• Reflection of data on allowed free and paid parking places;
• Hints that a parking space has become free;
• Adding your own comments to places or routes;
• Marks on the maps - information about traffic accidents and road repairs;
• Satellite view.

For the modern user, there are many high-quality navigators to choose from. The functionality of each program is different, but each of them is able to satisfy basic requests when moving in a large city or an unfamiliar place. Which navigator is better to install on Android - the decision is up to you.

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Earlier we reviewed free gps navigators for Android. Today we will select a navigator, focusing on offline work - to work with maps without the Internet by activating the gps connection on your phone. Let's focus on the offline features of navigators and maps that come bundled with android apps.

Offline navigators - participants of the review:

Advantages of offline maps

By default, all mobile navigators are online and may become unstable without a direct Internet connection. In the absence of the Network, navigators do not display maps and do not build routes. All this can become a serious problem.

The problem can be easily fixed by downloading offline maps to your gadget. They will work offline: in Russia, neighboring countries and Europe. Offline maps are indispensable when navigating if you have an expensive mobile traffic or you open the map in a place where there is no Internet access.

Waze is a free GPS navigator that works without internet

Waze is a navigation application developed by a community of enthusiasts. Displays traffic on the roads in real time, notifies about accidents and traffic jams, notifies about cameras. Available in Russian and adapted to road conditions in most countries of the world.

Waze is a free navigator with offline features for Android

The Waze app for Android doesn't have an obvious feature to save maps offline, let's say like in Google Maps. The navigator from time to time requires an Internet connection for full operation. However, there are some workarounds for downloading offline offline maps.

How to save maps offline using the Waze app

In order to download an offline Waze map, you need to:

1. Pre-connect to the network;
2. Open the Waze app on your phone;
3. Enter the address you want to save for offline work;
4. After finding the specified location, Waze will store the data in the cache.

You can use the offline map when traveling in Europe or Russia. Please note that in offline mode, you will not be able to update the data until you connect your mobile device to the Internet. Traffic information will also not be available offline.

How to upload traffic information to Waze navigator

1. Make sure your mobile device is connected to the Internet;
2. Open Waze GPS Navigator and enter the location you want to go to;
3. Waze will calculate routes to your destination and display them in the app when navigating;
4. Click on the Waze icon to open the menu, find the "Settings" icon in the new pop-up window;
5. To save your current traffic information, go to Waze > Advanced settings > Data transfer > Download traffic information > Enable.

In addition to traffic information, Waze will display how much data has already been downloaded and cached by the app.

Google Navigator: enable offline maps on Android

Saving offline maps

1. Connect to WiFi networks, open the Google Maps app on your mobile device.
2. Make sure you are signed in with your Google account in Google Maps.
3. Search the GPS navigator for the city or place you want to save as an offline map.
4. Click on the bottom bar of the Google Maps application - the name of the location will be displayed here.
5. In the upper right corner of Google Navigator, a menu will be available with the option to save an offline map.

Some features of offline Google Maps:

• You can pan and zoom the map before saving it. The largest offline map is about 30 square miles.
• You can save an offline map with any name. It is convenient to give a clear name so that you can delete the file or check if the desired city is in the list of saved maps.
• For each map, its expiration date is indicated: it is advisable to check the relevance and update the files as needed.
• Once the map is deleted, you won't be able to use it offline until you download/update again.

View saved offline maps in Google Navigator

1. Open Google Maps on Android with a previously used account;
2. Go to the main menu of the application through the sidebar by clicking on the button with horizontal stripes;
3. Go to the "Offline Maps" section;
4. Actions are available for each offline map: Download, View, Rename, Delete.

Yandex Navigator in offline mode (without internet connection)

Free vector maps can be downloaded through the main application settings. This option is available to owners of both Android and iOS versions of the navigator from Yandex. True, the list of offline maps is limited to the CIS countries and a number of adjacent territories. For most of Europe, alas, offline maps are not available.

Navitel is a popular navigator with offline function

Autonomous android maps transform your phone into a full-fledged GPS device. At the same time, you do not need to spend money on mobile traffic, which is most often very expensive.

Not all users want to spend time downloading individual locations (as described above). You can download a set of detailed maps for a specific country or region once. One such solution is Navitel Navigator. It is available for smartphones and android tablets, iOS devices, autonavigators.

In the "Buy" section on the developer's website, special packages of offline maps are posted. And not only for Russia, but also for neighboring countries, Europe, the USA, Latin America.

In terms of the quality of map detail, this is perhaps best offline navigator for mobile devices.

Sygic is an offline navigator for Europe and the USA

Sygic is a GPS navigation app. Supports free 3D offline maps for Android, you can travel anywhere with them (at least it is > 200 countries). Offline maps display Points of Interest - gas stations, cafes, shops, attractions. All that is required to use the maps is to first download them to your mobile device.

Realtime functions work only in online mode. In particular, Sygic offers the most accurate traffic information based on data from 500 million users worldwide. Information is also provided by global automakers, operators mobile communications, mapping and traffic information providers.

During the first 7 days, you can test all the features of the navigator (including those available with a Lifetime Premium subscription). After 7 days, Sygic leaves only basic features, but this is quite enough for full-fledged work.

Maps.me - GPS navigator for phone with OSM maps

Maps.me is a great free navigator for users who need offline work and traffic savings.

Maps.me supports offline OpenStreetMap maps, which are well detailed. Regular users participate in the development of maps. Some maps are qualitatively better than Google Maps. It comes to the point that a shop or path can be marked on the Maps.me map, which are not in other navigators.

Working offline is convenient: in fact, you can get directions without an internet connection on your phone. For offline work, you must first download the map to your device through the menu of the Maps.me navigator.

Maps.me: detailed offline maps for Android

The second option is to go to the desired location and zoom in on it. The map fragment of interest will be loaded into the phone's cache. Offline maps take up only a few tens of megabytes.

What is the best offline navigator?

Let's summarize.

If openness and free maps are important, all offline navigators are good except for Navitela. If you are willing to pay about $30 for quality, Navitel Navigator is a great solution and will no doubt pay back the money invested. This gps program holds its own and is popular.

Navigation Google Maps works without an internet connection, but still for Android and iOS versions there is a limitation: you can save only certain sections of the map (one or several cities) for offline use, while motorists, most often, need more detailed sections of maps.

Waze is a promising navigator with a large community. But keep in mind: not all traffic information will be available offline, and maps are not always perfect in their detail.

Sygic: GPS Navigation displays 3D offline maps for 200+ countries. The application will be convenient when moving around Europe and the USA without the Internet.

Advice. Install not one, but two navigators on your phone. Download offline maps and test each option. Leave the app you like more.

Navigators on Android allow you to get accurate location information and get directions taking into account all sorts of obstacles. Such software is most in demand when traveling through unfamiliar areas, where it is quite difficult to navigate without prompts. Although it may come in handy for someone for short walks or bike rides. If you have a car and an Android smartphone, then with a 90% chance you also have a navigation application. This article will help you choose a worthy alternative to the navigator you are already using, or choose the best navigator for you that suits all your needs.

android smartphone with installed navigator- better than a separate GPS navigator
A GPS navigator can be purchased as a separate device, but this solution has a number of significant drawbacks. Why buy another device when the same functionality is available through the application with Google Play? Moreover, smartphones and tablets are much more productive than GPS navigators, which affects the speed of work. Most often they differ significantly in volume. random access memory, processor power, etc. It is also worth noting the situation with updates - on GPS navigators, this may require periodic firmware changes, which is not very convenient. On a smartphone, just download new version apps from Google Play or our .

When choosing a navigator for Android, you should be guided by the country in which you plan to use it most often and for what purposes. Some applications are better adapted for use in Russia, but at the same time there are programs aimed at the Western user. They are also available on the territory of the Russian Federation, but contain not so detailed information about it.

For comparative review 10 navigation programs from Google Play were selected, which will be considered in descending order of their popularity. When scoring, not only convenience and feature set were taken into account, but also a number of secondary parameters that are typical for applications of this type. The presence of a 3D mode, traffic data, offline access and a number of other characteristics was taken into account. A comparison table with editorial ratings is located at the end of this article.

The application from Google is confidently leading in its segment, significantly outperforming its competitors in terms of the number of installations. This is due not only to the fact that the developer integrates his own services into Android, but also to significant changes that have taken place over the past few years. During this time, the number of supported countries has increased and the functionality has expanded significantly. But first things first.

There are no questions about the appearance of the application, everything is in perfect order here. Most of the screen is occupied by a map, at the top there is a search bar where it is available and voice input. You can find not only a place by address, but also a store or restaurant, knowing only its name. The main menu opens with a swipe from the left edge and contains almost everything you need - a list of saved places, timeline, traffic data, etc. At the first start, you will need to connect using a Google account, in the future all statistics will be stored on it. Reviews of visited establishments can be left directly from the application.

The functionality of Google Maps is really exhaustive - the user can not only plot routes, but also plan visits to certain establishments. Each of them has a rating with customer reviews, whether it's a cinema, a pharmacy or a clinic. Some have more detailed information- working hours, workload, etc. The journey will take less time if you choose the optimal route, taking into account traffic jams and public transport schedules.

In mobile Google versions Maps available well-known Street View, designed to view locations in 3D. Not so long ago, an offline mode appeared, which allows you to receive data without access to the Internet. To use the map without connecting to the network, you need to open the Offline Maps item in the main menu and select the required area there. Depending on its size, the size of the downloaded package will be determined. For example, for Moscow it is about 160 mb. Million-plus cities "weigh" about 30-50 mb. At the same time, it is worth remembering that it is still desirable to constantly have access to the Internet. You can lay routes without it, but you won’t be able to view data about establishments.

Google Maps can be considered an absolutely deserved leader among Android navigators. At the time of writing the review, the application contained maps of 220 countries, 15,000 cities with driving directions and detailed descriptions more than 100,000 establishments. Most of the functions are available on the territory of the Russian Federation, the maps are quite accurate, and there are more than enough reviews of different places from Russian users. Google maps can become an indispensable assistant for both navigating in the home region and for trips abroad. Unlike most competitors, the application is completely free, you only have to pay for Internet traffic. The final score is 4.9 points out of 5.

Waze can be considered one of the main competitors of Google Maps. In some respects, this application is significantly ahead of the eminent competitor - social interaction is better organized and more data is presented on the situation on the roads, police posts, accidents, etc. Map detail depends on the region - the larger the settlement, the more detailed information about it.

The Waze interface is quite user-friendly, and the appearance is not for everyone - visually it is made in the style of 2010. At launch, you should register, although this is not necessary, it is still worth creating an account - more functions are available to authorized users. On the main screen there is a map and a search bar, and you can call up the main menu with a swipe from the left edge - here the user has access to information about account, settings, travel plans and more.

The functionality of the navigator in Waze does not stand out much from competitors - you can choose the current route, taking into account the situation on the roads, find the cheapest gas station along the way, etc. There are also voice prompts\search and a 3D overview. The detailing of the maps is quite good and the application is quite suitable for use on the territory of the CIS countries.

Waze can be considered a very worthy alternative to Google Maps. It is unlikely that the developers of this application are able to catch up with the main competitor in terms of the number of supported countries, but in terms of social interaction, everything is done perfectly. Waze supports dozens of different languages, including Russian, where not only voice input is available, but also tips. There is also an offline mode and no paid content, but there are ads. Total Waze gets 4.8 points.

Sygic is one of the most advanced navigation apps for Android. In his arsenal a large number of multi-vendor maps, including offline 3D maps from TomTom for over 120 countries.

Visually, Sygic looks very dignified, and there are no questions about ease of management either. For some users, the fonts in the application may seem too large, they cannot be changed in the settings. In general, the Sygic interface is quite consistent with a regular navigator - most of the screen is occupied by a map, it also has a search bar and a quick menu.

One of key benefits Sygic are high quality maps that can be stored on your device. Besides the aforementioned TomTom, other providers are available. Free updates cards take place several times a year. App supports voice commands with the pronunciation of street names and receives information about changes on the road in real time. This allows you to avoid traffic jams and use the most optimal routes.

Sygic is a very high quality navigation app with big amount maps and a wide range of functions. Unfortunately, not everything is available in the free version. The trial period is 7 days, after which you can limit yourself to free functionality or upgrade to Premium. The subscription price depends on the region and ranges from 50 to 100 euros, however, at the time of writing the review, there were discounts and you could get an unlimited Premium for only 16-20 euros. In the presence of very worthy free navigators, most users will not pay for a subscription. Moreover, the free version is not particularly limited in map detail. The final score for Sygic is 4.6 out of 5.

MapFactor is a navigator that uses Open Street Map data. Maps can be installed on a memory card or the device's internal storage so as not to connect to the network during the trip.

At the first start, you need to select the map source and country. For Russia, there is a division by region, which allows you to save space in the device's memory and get access to the application faster. Maps are relatively compact, for example, the Moscow region weighs only 0.3 GB. If desired, you can use data from TomTom instead of Open Street Maps. Externally, MapFactor looks somewhat outdated - the interface is more like applications for Android 2.2.

Open Street Map is a collaborative project for creating maps. Any user can contribute to its development. The presence of a large international community has a positive effect on the quality of content and the frequency of updates.

MapFactor supports voice navigation, route planning and alerts about upcoming maneuvers. In the event of approaching the speed recorders, the user will hear an audible warning. Implemented not only switching between 2D and 3D modes, but also the choice color scheme- day or night.

MapFactor is one of the best free navigators for Android. It supports many languages ​​and contains detailed information for dozens of countries. The disadvantages of the application include a somewhat outdated interface and the need to preload maps. The final score of MapFactor is 4.4 points out of 5 possible.

MAPS.ME is free and completely offline maps. The Android app supports turn-by-turn navigation and is used by over 60 million users worldwide.

Externally, MAPS.ME is not much different from other navigators. Most of the main screen is occupied by the map, and closer to the edges of the display there are control elements - zoom, toolbar, etc. In general, the control is quite convenient.

The main advantages of MAPS.ME are autonomy and the absence of paid content. Maps are downloaded directly from the application, just select the country and city. The information on them is quite detailed - the user can easily find his way to any establishments. The maps are updated daily by the multi-million community of Open Street Map, which is a decent open-source alternative to Google Maps.

MAPS.ME is one of the best mobile navigators based on Open Street Map. The Android application has a nice interface and a large set of tools, and there is no charge for using it. The final mark of MAPS.ME is 4.6 points out of 5.

2GIS is one of the most popular navigators in Russia. This application has been in high demand for a long time - ever since Mobile Internet was expensive and slow, and maps were most often used offline.

The Android version has a user-friendly interface, although it does not stand out much from its competitors. Main screen consists of familiar elements - maps and control panels. It is not necessary to create an account in the application, but for better integration with social networks, it can still come in handy.

2GIS is convenient primarily because it works without the Internet. After downloading the city map, you can use it in roaming or places where there is no connection to the network. 2GIS not only knows the roads and landscape structure well, but also has information about various establishments that the user may need. Among them are clinics, post offices, cafes, car services and much more. Now you don't even have to look for the front door - the application will do it for you, showing you the way to the very door. In total, there are more than 2.5 million different organizations in the database.

2GIS will be an indispensable assistant for drivers. The application will show the most optimal route and warn you about all dangerous maneuvers. Traffic jams, overlaps, accidents and other obstacles are also taken into account. The details of the maps depend on the location. 2GIS is available in all major Russian cities, some of them have detailed information about shopping centers, that is, you can see directly from the application where the nearest ATM is located, what stores are in the shopping center, etc.

2GIS has proven itself well for a long time and the Android version is no exception. Here the user will find all the necessary means for navigation, and completely free of charge. There is no charge to use the app, but there are ads. 2GIS gets 4.7 points out of 5.

Yandex.Navigator will help you quickly reach your destination by calculating the best route, taking into account traffic jams. Other road events are also taken into account - accidents, repairs, etc.

The application has a very convenient and stylish interface, although nothing else was expected from Yandex. By default, the main screen shows not only the map and the standard toolbar, but also a traffic congestion indicator on a 10-point scale (for those cities where traffic information is available).

When choosing a route, several options are offered, starting with the fastest. The application will notify the user if part of the route falls on a toll section. During the trip, the remaining time and distance are displayed, as well as notifications about maneuvers, cameras and other obstacles. Yandex.Navigator has data on speed limits, if the user is driving too fast, he will receive a corresponding notification.

Management in Yandex.Navigator is quite convenient, especially since you can completely switch to voice input. This will allow you not to touch the device with your hands at all during the trip. The user will be able to give voice commands and receive all necessary notifications in the same mode.
The history of destinations can be saved so that you do not have to enter an address each time, but simply select a destination from the list in the future. The data is stored in the cloud and is available on all devices. This will require a Yandex account.

Otherwise, the set of functions of this navigator is standard. There is a 3D mode and information about various organizations, which can meet along the way - hospitals, restaurants and much more. The application is provided primarily for the CIS countries, which is reflected in the detail of the maps - for the cities of Russia, Ukraine, etc. there is much more information here. For example, Yandex.Navigator knows everything about Moscow parking lots up to the 3rd Ring Road. The application will immediately show where you can leave the car, and where parking is prohibited.

For users from Russia, Yandex.Navigator will be the best option. It has all the necessary functions, including offline mode, while the program is completely free. The final score is 4.8 points.

Navitel Navigator is an app with detailed maps for more than 60 countries. In fact, this is a full-fledged navigation service with a huge number of additional functions, but first things first.

Visually, Navitel Navigator looks like an application of 2010, for some reason it even has its own status bar with the current time, battery charge, etc. You can immediately see from the fonts and size of some icons that the developers focused on screens with a low resolution - everything is in FullHD this looks ridiculous.

Functionally, Navitel Navigator can be called one of the most advanced applications in its segment. There are offline maps, data on traffic jams, weather and various road events. There are also warnings about video recording cameras, accidents, etc. Three-dimensional maps display not only the structure of the landscape, but also the height of buildings. Multilevel interchanges are also available in 3D mode.

In terms of map detailing, Navitel Navigator is ahead of most competitors. When laying routes, many factors are taken into account here, including the lanes of roads, and on-board computer displays data from more than 100 different sensors - time, speed, weather conditions, etc. The advantages of the application can be listed for a very long time - including voice prompts and an unlimited number of points when building a trajectory, and much more.

Navitel Navigator would be among the leaders in its segment, if not for a paid subscription. The trial period is only one week, after which the carriage turns into a pumpkin. In our case, a significant number of functions are simply turned off - routing, voice prompts, traffic jams, 3D mode. The premium version costs between $10 and $30 depending on the country. At the same time, maps of most of Europe and America are not here at all. In total, Navitel Navigator receives only 4.3 points out of 5.

CityGuide is a navigator with detailed maps of the entire world. You can use both data from the CityGuide service and Open Street Maps.
CityGuide looks pretty good (although it lags behind its competitors by 5 years in design) and there are no special problems with management. At the first start, the user himself chooses which cards he needs. The CityGuide system is paid and more detailed. Maps from Open Street Maps are completely free, and they are updated less often and contain less information.

The functionality of CityGuide does not really depend on which system the user chooses - CityGuide or OSM. In both cases, traffic data and offline navigation will be available to him. At the same time, CityGuide has a number of advantages - in addition to the aforementioned frequency of updates, they include warnings about traffic police radars and various dangers on the roads, as well as schedule accounting railway crossings and opening/closing of bridges.

In general, CityGuide is designed primarily for the CityGuide system, OSM support is more like an add-on here. option. This is far from the only application that works with Open Street Maps. CityGuide also has social interaction tools, where you can send messages to friends and plan trips together. The SOS service is also available, allowing you to call a tow truck or various emergency services.

CityGuide can hardly be considered a worthy alternative to other mobile navigators. This is primarily due to the paid subscription model. After the end of the 15-day trial period, the application stops running altogether. That is, there is not even a limited free version. Buying a license will cost 690 rubles for home region or 1490 rubles for all of Russia. There are other options, they can be found on the official website of the application. CityGuide rating - 4 points exactly.

Maverick is the most modest of the 10 navigators selected for this review. In fact, this is not an independent service, but a shell with support for various offline and online maps.

The design of Maverick stuck somewhere in 2010-2012, although this is a common problem for navigation applications. When you first start it immediately becomes clear that the developers focused on screens with low resolution, popular 5 or more years ago. And the Russian language is not supported here.

The main advantage of the application is the ability to choose a data source - Bing, Yandex, Open Street Maps, Multimap and many others. Most maps are automatically cached for offline use.

In Maverick, the user can build routes, mark visited places, and receive information about establishments. Also available are speed, altitude, barometer and more.

The disadvantages of Maverick include not the most convenient interface and the presence of significant limitations in the free version. It does not allow you to download maps and save routes. There is also no integration with Foursquare. True, the Pro version is quite inexpensive - 300 rubles. Nevertheless, for the majority of users, this program is useless in the presence of more worthy free analogues. Total Maverick gets only 3.9 points out of 5 possible.

Summary and comparison

Waze entered the top three in addition to Google Maps and Yandex.Navigator
The app from Google received 4.9 points, the other two - 4.8. It is unlikely that such a ranking will surprise anyone. Google Maps is the reference navigator that developers of other applications are equal to. Most of the participants in this review received scores between 4.3 and 4.7. Far behind are only CityGuide and Maverick - the first due to the lack of a free version as such, the second due to limited functionality.

Evaluation of additional features

Data on traffic jams is provided by 7 apps out of 10, but by the presence of paid content, the apps are divided in a ratio of 60 to 40. Only 4 navigators have a paid subscription or maps, and they were not included in the top three. Paid navigators are almost in no way superior to free ones, and even inferior in many ways, while developers also want to make money on them. Perhaps there are countries in which Maverick or Sygic surpass the same Yandex.Navigator in detail, but when compiling the final rating, the situation in Russia was taken into account primarily.

Applications from Yandex or Google have been occupying first places in the top of certain segments for a long time and this will not surprise anyone. A similar phenomenon can be observed among dictionaries (Google.Translate and Yandex.Translate), music programs, browsers, etc. Navigators are no exception, here applications from Google and Yandex also captured the top. Waze can be considered a worthy alternative, significantly superior to them in terms of means for social interaction. Other applications in this review they do a good job with their tasks, but according to the editors, they still cannot compete with the above three leaders.

Having a smartphone or tablet with GPS and GLONASS support, it would be strange not to use it for navigation. And in order for the device to learn how to lay routes for you, it is enough to equip it with a navigator application with maps of the area. There are quite a few applications of this kind, but not all of them are equally useful. We hope this article will help you choose a navigator for Android that will satisfy your needs in the most worthy way. The rating is based on the opinions of experienced drivers and travelers.

Waze

The developer positions Waze as a navigator, which is helped to develop by the Russian driving community. And, I must say, such collective support is good for the application: many drivers are switching to Waze from other navigators that they had been using for years before.

The program allows each participant in the movement to replenish it with information: report accidents, traffic jams, roadworks, traffic police ambushes, prices at gas stations and other things that may be useful to other users.

Features and functionality of Waze

Drivers appreciate Waze for up-to-date information, concise interface, stability in work and, of course, free of charge. A big plus is that the program does not lose routes when Internet access is lost and automatically stops accessing GPS when not used during stops. This reduces the battery's rate of discharge.

The disadvantages of Waze, some users attributed the lack of 3D mode and voice search not always working correctly.

Yandex.Navigator

Another free application that travelers have taken to the top navigators for mobile devices. Contains very detailed and details, useful for both drivers and pedestrians who are in an unfamiliar area on the territory of Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Moldova and even Turkey (note to tourists).

Features of Yandex.Navigator

• Building up to three route options to a given object, taking into account traffic jams and other traffic events.
• Warning about toll roads and ferries.
• Displays the number of kilometers left to travel to the final destination, as well as the remaining time until arrival.
• Voice accompaniment of a trip with notification of maneuvers, speed limits, traffic events, radars and traffic police crews, etc. Displaying them as symbols on the map.
• Driver warning for speeding.
• Voice control. The option is worked out much better than in Waze. By activating the control of the “Listen, Yandex” command, you can request the construction of a route to the desired point or search for an object on the map.
• Message to the program of information about traffic events, including by voice.
• Storage of the history of trips and routes.
• Search for parking lots (all - only in Moscow within the Third Transport Ring; in other places of the capital and some large cities - St. Petersburg, Kazan, Kiev, Minsk, Nizhny Novgorod, etc., separate large parking lots are displayed).

The best thing that, according to users, Yandex.Navigator has is the coverage of a large territory (especially convenient for those who travel a lot around Russia and neighboring countries) and the ability to control it without hands. Disadvantages - not always up-to-date maps, especially those far from the center of regions and small towns. And also the fact that the program takes up too much space in the device's memory due to the inability to move cards to removable media.

Though - paid application(the cost of content starts from 560 rubles), it was preferred by more than 20 million users around the world. After all, this is, in fact, the standard by which the developers of other programs for navigation are equal. Among analogues, it has, perhaps, the largest set of functions, and there is no such driver who would say that Navitel's capabilities are not enough for him.

A short list of functions and features of Navitel

If you install Navitel from the Google Play store, it will be linked to your Google account and not to your device. Thanks to this, you can use the program on different gadgets.

The strengths of Navitel, according to drivers, are rich functionality, always up-to-date information, a large selection of maps and technical support. The reasons for negative reviews are, as a rule, the limitations of the 7-day trial version, local failures, minor inaccuracies on the maps - the same as with all similar programs.

Maps.me

Maps.me is a free open source Android navigator. source code from Mail.Ru Group. It also functions without Internet access, if you download the necessary maps into it in advance. Not only for drivers: in addition to roads, Maps.me maps contain walking and cycling tourist routes in many countries around the world.

Key features of Maps.me

• Saving mobile internet traffic and battery charge. Important for cycling and walking, especially where there is no cellular connection (for example, in the forest).
• Itineraries are always up to date and very detailed. The maps include objects that are not available in other applications, since the latter are more focused on the needs of motorists, rather than pedestrians.
• On walking and cycling routes, the degrees of the slope of the terrain are indicated - downhill or uphill.
• Mapping involves users of the program, of which there are more than 65 million worldwide. And you can also join their community.
• In addition to creating routes, Maps.me helps you look for various objects on the ground. Search categories: catering points, hotels and hostels, ATMs, public transport stops, attractions. The search function is available both online and offline.
• Directly from the application, you can book a hotel room (only available online, through the Booking.com website).
• The program allows you to send messages to loved ones indicating your current location. For this, they can be used cellular(SMS), social networks and web messengers.

The main advantages of Maps.me, according to experienced travelers, are free access to all functions, a large selection of maps (the latter, by the way, are well optimized for mobile devices: with the same amount of content as in other programs, they take up much less space in the gadget’s memory), as well as taking into account the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.

There is, perhaps, only one significant drawback of the application. Since users are involved in mapping, the data often contains errors. In addition, some maps are designed better than others. This again is due to user engagement: where people are more active, the maps are more detailed and accurate. And vice versa.

Google maps, transport and navigation

is another free and ubiquitous navigation app for Android. Used and supported by perhaps the most impressive user community in the world. It helps to navigate in unfamiliar terrain and draw up a route of movement in almost any settlement on the globe.

Features of Google.Maps

• Quickly build routes, taking into account the situation on the road. When obstacles appear - traffic jams, accidents, etc., the route is automatically rebuilt. Automatic selection of the least loaded lane.
• dynamic POIs.
• The ability to quickly obtain information about objects of interest on the ground, for example, catering points. Information about the latter may include user ratings, interior photos, reviews, opening hours, prices, menus, etc.
• Possibility to leave reviews about visited places.
• Always up-to-date data on public transport routes.
• Unique feature: displaying the interior layouts of large public buildings: shopping centers, stations, airports and stadiums, which helps visitors not to get lost in them.
• Description of more than 100 million objects worldwide, as well as more than 220 regions and countries.

Travelers appreciate Google maps primarily for its simplicity, accessibility and convenience. And many called strange experiments of developers, such as integrating the Pac-Man game into the program, which only distracts the driver while driving and does not carry anything useful, as shortcomings, or rather, excesses.

In today's article, we invite you to get acquainted with the best navigators for Android, because the times are gone when every driver must have a huge paper map so that the road does not lead into completely unfamiliar times. Technological advances have brought a lot useful gadgets that have made many areas of our lives easier. The brightest minds of mankind have not forgotten about navigation either, having developed special GPS systems, as well as devices that made it possible to track the location.

GPS navigators for Android - how it works

Initially, the functions of the navigator were assigned exclusively to individual devices with the same name. However, subsequently smartphones adopted the ability to track locations thanks to GPS modules, which have become an integral part of even the cheapest device. Smartphones have been good helpers for many users for many years, combining the functionality of several gadgets at once, therefore, the navigation functions in them have clearly not become superfluous.

Enough digressions, let's move on to the review of paid / free navigators for Android. We selected applications based on popularity, user reviews, functionality, offline mode and other characteristics, so each of them deserves attention.

Navitel Navigator

One of the most popular programs for navigation on Android, known in many countries of the world. The application has managed to contain an entire navigation system with accurate maps of more than 64 states. But Navitel Navigator surprises not only with an abundance of maps, but also with a bunch of additional features that will not allow you to get stuck in a traffic jam or fall into an impenetrable fog.

• Distribution: free (first week);
• Advertising: none;
• Rating in Google Play: 4.1;
• Required version: 2.3 or higher;
• Installs: more than 20 million
• 3D mode: yes;
• Shows traffic jams: yes;
• Offline mode: yes.

Navitel Navigator is distributed absolutely free of charge, you can install it on your Android device from the store Google Apps play. For the first 7 days, the developer provides a trial full version product, after which you will have to pay for the use of cards, depending on the choice of package (from 790 rubles). A very useful feature will be the offline mode, which does not require an obligatory Internet connection to plot a route.

You only need to download desired cards from the official website of the developer and put them on the memory card in the appropriate folder.

After that, you can make full use of Navitel Navigator for Android, laying routes or finding the necessary objects. But the rest of the functions, whether it's updates, "Navitel.Traffic" or "Navitel.Weather", will require a network connection.

By the way, oh additional features navigator from Navitel:

• Navitel. Traffic jams. In real time, the user receives information about traffic jams along the way.
• Navitel.Friends. An interesting feature that will help you get directions to meet a friend as soon as possible.
• Navitel.Weather. In a few clicks you can find out the weather anywhere in the world for the next three days.
• dynamic POIs. With this feature, you will always be up to date with fuel prices, movie theater schedules and other events.
• Navitel.Events. The navigator will notify you about repairs, accidents and other incidents on the road.
• Navitel.SMS. As a precaution, the creators of the application added the ability to exchange messages without closing the program.
• SpeedCam Warnings. You will also be aware of speed bumps, radars, and cameras.
• 3 D-mode. In three-dimensional mode and with high detail, you can see every fork and building.
• Voice prompts. The application will notify you of found satellites, battery level and other events.
• On-board computer. Tracking a variety of indicators: temperature, speed, etc.

As you can see, the list of features is quite extensive, besides, it is constantly updated with new features. The navigator from Navitel deservedly occupies high places in the tops of applications and definitely deserves the attention of motorists.

Pros:

1. routes to build quickly and easily;
2. Russian language;
3. 3D mode;
4. possibility to work without permanent connection to the Internet;
5. a wide range of additional features;

Minuses:

1. only 7 days trial period.

Yandex.Navigator

The Russian search giant does not stand aside from the market mobile applications, releasing from time to time quality programs for a variety of needs. Yandex.Navigator is a free GPS navigator for Android with accurate maps, fast route planning and lots of additional features.

• Distribution: free;
• Advertising: none;
• Rating in Google Play: 4.3;
• Installs: more than 10 million
• 3D mode: yes;
• Russian language support: yes;
• Shows traffic jams: yes;
• Offline mode: no.

Yandex.Navigator will build the shortest route to your destination while avoiding traffic jams, construction work, and accidents. The free navigator will offer several route options for the driver to choose from, notify you of toll sections and other events. In addition, the application notifies the user about many other things: speed, distance to the end of the route, etc.

You can install the navigator from Yandex on Android absolutely free of charge from Google Play, and the user immediately receives the full version with all the features. Note that the GPS-navigator constantly requires an Internet connection - this is also its main drawback.

You can manually install the desired maps by downloading them to your computer. So, the application will not have to load maps of the area during the movement, consuming traffic.

You should not leave Yandex.Navigator in the background, as the developers recommend - the application can significantly reduce battery life.

Yandex.Navigator also has a distinctive feature - voice control. It is enough to say "Listen, Yandex" and say the destination address or report an incident. The function for the driver is really useful and convenient.

Pros:

1. several types of map display;
2. the ability to load maps into the phone's memory manually;
3. night mode;
4. 3D mode;
5. voice assistant;
6. constant map updates;
7. free distribution.

Minuses:

1. a permanent internet connection is required.

Google Maps (Maps: transport and navigation)

An alternative navigation app for Android from Google. One of best apps for navigation that deserves a lot positive feedback users. Google Maps includes maps of 220 countries, provides detailed descriptions of more than 100 million places and easily allows you to get the exact route.

• Distribution: free;
• Advertising: none;
• Rating in Google Play: 4.3;
• Required android version: depends on the device;
• Installs: more than 1 billion
• 3D mode: yes;
• Russian language support: yes;
• Shows traffic jams: yes;
• Offline mode: yes.

Google Maps is not just a navigation tool for Android devices, but also a source of information about traffic jams, gas stations and other places. Google's navigator relies on user feedback on traffic congestion to plot a route, and does so quite accurately. Contains timetables and information about public transport routes, so you are unlikely to miss the right train or bus. The navigator will even help you choose the right lane and tell you where you can drink coffee.

What made Google Maps popular to a greater extent is the offline mode support, in which the user can get directions without access to the network.

In the settings of the navigator, you can activate the ability to save sections of the map to the cache in order to plot a route on them in the future without connecting to the Internet.

Many will also like the voice assistant, which will voice important events, and will also allow you to get directions simply by saying the address. Google Maps is an almost perfect free GPS navigator for Android with all the features you need, but it lacks more intuitive controls and fixes for routing errors.

Pros:

1. free;
2. the presence of a lot of opportunities, including offline mode;
3. a huge number of available cards;
4. voice assistant;
5. information about many establishments with reviews and photos.

Minuses:

1. some users complain about not always correct routing.

A fairly well-known free GPS navigator for Android, a distinctive feature of which is the offline mode. The application received a free open source, is constantly being finalized and improved, has a lot of maps and various tourist information.

• Distribution: free (there are paid versions with additional features);
• Advertising: none;
• Rating in Google Play: 4.2;
• Required Android version: varies by device;
• Installs: more than 5 million
• 3D mode: no;
• Russian language support: yes;
• Shows traffic jams: no;
• Offline mode: yes.

As mentioned above, OsmAnd is designed for use without an Internet connection. The user can download maps from the open source OpenStreetMap for free (raster analogues from many other navigators are also suitable) and save them to a memory card so that they do not have to wait for downloading in the future. In addition, you can save maps in the application itself by connecting, for example, to Wi-Fi.

OsmAnd will not only quickly create a route, but also find the nearest gas station or public transport stop. Supports several modes of operation, has a built-in voice assistant, and also received the function of notifying the driver about exceeding the permissible speed.

OsmAnd can rightfully be called one of the best navigators for Android, but with some reservations. The application has a slightly confusing control, besides it is not fully translated. Route planning errors are also possible.

Pros:

1. free version with a lot of features;
2. offline mode;
3. voice assistant support;
4. Russian localization;
5. regular updates.

Minuses:

1. there is no information about traffic jams and 3D mode;
2. errors occur in the program.

Waze

One of (if not the most) best GPS navigators for Android, which is confirmed by millions of positive user reviews. Waze is a unique navigation program that is based on the actions of each user (anyone can make changes, make notes and even communicate with other drivers).

• Distribution: free;
• Advertising: present;
• Google Play rating: 4.6;
• Required Android version: varies by device;
• Installs: over 100 million
• 3D mode: yes;
• Russian language support: yes;
• Shows traffic jams: yes;
• Offline mode: yes.

Before us is a navigator for Android, which fits maps of dozens of cities, knows where it is better to drive, is aware of traffic jams and repair work. Waze integrated with social network Facebook, which allows you to add users as friends. You will even have your own nickname, under which other drivers will see you. Let the app know about traffic, accidents, and points of interest you pass so that others are aware.

By downloading the Waze navigator to your phone, you will receive a database of constantly updated high-quality maps, a voice assistant that even pronounces street names, as well as information about gas stations and cafes with the lowest prices.

Pros:

1. quality implementation of the application;
2. information about traffic jams and other events;
3. 3D mode;
4. offline mode;
5. the ability to edit the map;
6. lots of unique features.

Minuses:

1. the navigator has some minor flaws in its work - there is room for improvement.

A popular free navigator for Android, which received the ability to work offline, as well as a convenient tiled interface. "7 roads" has all desired functions, allows you to lay very long routes and will not leave the driver without an up-to-date map of the area.

• Distribution: free (there is paid content);
• Advertising: none;
• Rating in Google Play: 4.2;
• Required Android version: varies by device;
• Installs: more than 1 million
• 3D mode: yes;
• Russian language support: yes;
• Shows traffic jams: no;
• Offline mode: yes.

It’s worth starting with the fact that the navigator has received a clear and convenient interface, made in the style of tiles (like in Windows 8). And the theme can be changed. "7 Roads" receive cards from the popular open base open street maps. Maps can be downloaded directly in the application, which is very convenient. Thousands of cards are distributed for free, but there are paid solutions that offer more advanced plans.

GPS navigators: MAPS.ME

MAPS.ME is a navigator that should be on the Android device of any traveler. Free App stuffed with free maps, which can also be used offline. With MAPS.ME you will not get lost even in the most remote corner of the planet!

• Distribution: free;
• Advertising: none;
• Rating in Google Play: 4.5;
• Required Android version: 4.0.3 and later;
• Installs: more than 10 million
• 3D mode: yes;
• Russian language support: yes;
• Shows traffic jams: no;
• Offline mode: yes.

The main features of the MAPS.ME navigator are completely free and offline mode, which does not require a constant connection to the network. The driver can download thousands of maps offered by the open source library OpenStreetMap. Maps load lightning fast, boast high precision and detail. The developers have not forgotten about the description of popular places, restaurants and cinemas.

MAPS.ME lacked the ideal support for information about traffic jams, which is important in large cities. Therefore, the navigator is preferable for drivers who love long trips to the most remote places.

Pros:

1. free distribution;
2. offline mode;
3. great amount free cards with high detail;
4. Russian language;
5. information about sights, restaurants, cafes and other places.

Minuses:

1. there is no traffic information.

Conclusion

A good navigator is an indispensable companion for every driver. And not only motorists will be interested in these useful applications: the navigator will tell you when the right bus will arrive, lay out a route for a pedestrian or cyclist, help you find a cinema, and with a schedule of sessions. Today we told you about the 7 best navigators for Android and we hope that at least one will become your faithful assistant on the road.