Navitel application for Android. The description of GPS navigator without internet via satellite maps

Developer: NAVITEL®	Rates:
Language: Russian	for smartphone/tablet
Price: Paid	for car navigator Windows CE
Trial period: Eat	for iPhone or iPad
Download Navitel: for Android	Technical support: addresses

The Navigator Navitel satellite navigation program has captured ¾ of the navigation systems market in the CIS countries. To reach the majority of consumers, the developers made Navitel cross-platform. The navigator supports operating systems: Windows Phone, Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Symbian, Apple iOS, BlackBerry, Android. At the same time, the popularity of the Android platform is growing every day, which affects the relevance of the issue of setting up a navigator. In this article, we will consider the question: how to install Navitel on Android.

Installing the Navitel application and maps

There are two ways to install the Navitel application and maps on Android.

Using an .apk file

You can download the .apk file (installer for Android) of the program on the official Navitel website in the "Distributions" section:

Via Play Market

If you have access to the Internet and have connected your Android device to your Google account, you can download and upload the Navitel application in the Play Market.

Trial period and card activation

Although the application is paid, there is a 7-day free trial period, during which you can evaluate the work of Navitel:

Advice! If the card doesn't load, you probably loaded it into the wrong directory. and double-check the data.

Application Licensing

So, within 7 days you can use the application for free. If you plan to continue using it in the future, you need to buy a license. This can be done in two ways:

through the Navitel website;
in the installed application.

When purchasing through the site, register and go to the Navitel purchase page:

After purchasing a license, you can add a device with Navitel in your personal account. This will simplify the licensing task and help activate cards on the device automatically.

Previously, we looked at free GPS navigators for Android. Today we will select a navigator, focusing on offline operation - to work with maps without the Internet, by activating the GPS connection on the phone. Let's focus on the offline functions of navigators and maps that come with Android applications.

Offline navigators - review participants:

Benefits of offline maps

By default, all mobile navigators work online and may behave unstable without a direct Internet connection. If there is no Network, navigators do not display maps and do not build routes. All this can become a serious problem.

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

Waze is a free GPS navigator that works without the Internet

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

Waze - free navigator with offline functions for Android

The Waze Android app doesn't have the obvious feature of saving maps offline, say, like Google Maps. The navigator requires an Internet connection from time to time for full operation. However, there are some workarounds to download offline offline maps.

How to Save Maps Offline Using the Waze App

To download the Waze offline map, you need to:

First connect to the Internet;
Open the Waze app on your phone;
Enter the address that you want to save for offline operation;
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 your data until you connect your mobile device to the Internet. Traffic information will also not be available offline.

How to load traffic information into Waze

Make sure your mobile device is connected to the Internet;
Open Waze GPS and enter the location where you want to go;
Waze will calculate routes to your destination and display them in the app as you navigate;
Click on the Waze icon to open the menu, find the “Settings” icon in the new pop-up window;
To save your current traffic information, go to Waze > Advanced Settings > Data Transfer > Load Traffic Information > Enable.

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

Google Navigator: enable offline maps on Android

Saving offline maps

Connect to a WiFi network, open the Google Maps app on your mobile device.
Make sure you're signed in to your Google account in Google Maps.
Find the city or place in your GPS navigator that you want to save as an offline map.
Click on the bottom bar of the Google Maps application - the name of the location will be displayed here.
In the upper right corner of Google Navigator, a menu will be available with the option to save an offline map.

GPS navigator Google Maps allows you to download free offline maps (one of the best in detail)

Some features of Google Maps offline maps:

You can pan and zoom the map before saving it. The largest offline map size is about 30 square miles.
You can save an offline map under any name. It is convenient to give a clear name so that you can delete the file or check whether 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.
After deleting the card, you will not be able to use it without the Internet until you download/update it again.

Viewing saved offline maps in Google Navigator

Open Google Maps on Android through your previously used account;
Go to the main menu of the application through the sidebar by clicking on the button with horizontal stripes;
Go to the “Offline maps” section;
For each offline map, the following actions are available: 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 Yandex navigator. 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

Offline Android Maps transforms your phone into a full-fledged GPS device. At the same time, you don’t need to spend money on mobile traffic, which is often quite expensive.

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

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, and Latin America.

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

Sygic – offline navigator for Europe and the USA

Sygic is a GPS navigation application. Supports free 3D offline maps for Android, you can travel anywhere with them (at least > 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, mobile operators, mapping and traffic information providers.

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

Maps.me – GPS navigator for your phone with OSM maps

Maps.me is an excellent free navigator for users who need offline operation and traffic savings.

Maps.me supports offline OpenStreetMap maps, which are characterized by good detail. Ordinary 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 that is not in other navigators can be marked on the Maps.me map.

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

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 cache. Offline maps take up only a few tens of megabytes.

Which offline navigator is the best?

Let's summarize.

If openness and free maps are important, all offline navigators are good except Navitela. If you are willing to pay about $30 for quality, Navitel Navigator will be an excellent solution and, without a doubt, will be worth the money invested. This GPS program holds its own and is popular.

Navigation Google Maps works without an Internet connection, but there is still a limitation for Android and iOS versions: 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 the maps .

Waze– 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 traveling 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 best.

Standard smartphone navigators are tied to the Internet and may not work if there is no connection. In addition, a constant Internet connection quickly drains the battery and consumes traffic. This is unacceptable if you are traveling, where the issue of charging your phone is very pressing. What can we say about situations when you find yourself in places where there is no cellular network and, accordingly, no World Wide Web.

It was for such circumstances that developers came up with offline navigation programs. They will help you out anywhere and at any time, giving you the opportunity to get your bearings and choose the right direction.

How do navigation apps for Android work without the Internet and where to get them?

Modern Android devices are equipped with GPS. These are sensors that communicate with the satellite. Contact with the satellite system allows you to determine your location, regardless of the presence or absence of cellular coverage. It works on the same principle. To use this system, you just need to install a paid or free navigation program for Android, which can work without the Internet.

Online utilities require traffic, so it only makes sense to install them if you have an unlimited connection. And offline systems save maps in the phone's memory. Available free navigator programs for Android will be able to work without the Internet, but will require a large amount of free space in the device’s memory. This is their main drawback, but here, as they say, there is no choice. How to download and configure the navigator application:

connect to the Internet and create a Google account, following the system instructions, log in;
Log in to the Play Market; by default, every smartphone or tablet has a login icon;
type in the market search bar the name of one of the utilities that we will talk about below;
when the program is found, select download and once downloaded to your device, run it.

On what basis do you choose the best navigator for Android without the Internet?

Program developers are constantly improving their creations. If quite recently navigators could only plot a route to the desired point and provide the opportunity to view maps, now they offer information about traffic jams along the route, congestion due to accidents, attractions, gas stations, cafes and much more. In addition to the above, programs can warn you about video cameras and traffic police posts installed along the way.

Which is better to choose a navigator on a phone without the Internet? First, decide for what purposes you will use the utility. If you plan to travel around the country, it is better to download adapted applications with detailed maps; around the world - pay attention to specialized programs for Europe and Asia.

For example, travelers around Russia will appreciate Navitel - it is a paid program with a trial period of 30 days with the most detailed maps. For tourists in Western Europe, MAPS.ME with its detailed maps and detailed information will be indispensable. Citizens will enjoy the Yandex application with the ability to search for shortcuts, and Google Maps will provide the opportunity for virtual travel to all corners of the planet. We invite you to take a closer look at these and other applications and choose the one that suits you best.

How Yandex navigator works for Android without the Internet

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

How to work with Yandex navigator without the Internet:

A navigator that works without the Internet - the Waze application

Another powerful GPS navigator for Android devices that works without the Internet can be downloaded for free from the Play Market - this is Waze. A social application in which you can not only create routes and navigate the roads, but also communicate with other drivers, receiving useful information from them. It should be noted that it has a simple and clear Russified interface with extensive settings.

The only drawback of Waze is the difficulty in saving offline maps. To do this, you need to connect via Wi-Fi and enter the address you need. After plotting the route, you can turn off the Internet, but do not close the application. The card data will be cached and you will be able to use it in Offline mode. Read more about the application in a short review.

MapFactor and its features

The dynamically developing application can be used as a navigator for phones without an Internet connection. MapFactor has many updates and is now one of the very popular utilities. After downloading this application to your tablet or phone, you can safely turn off your Internet connection.

This system shows the route in 2D and 3D projections in day and night mode, the location of gas stations, cafes and hotels. She can tell you the postal code of a place, plan a route for a car or a pedestrian. If the permitted speed is exceeded, the Android device will sound an alarm.

How to use MapFactor:

Navigator OsmAnd

If you are looking for a navigator that works without the Internet, pay attention to OsmAnd. It's not breaking download records yet, but it's only a matter of time. The developers have not yet solved the problem of the application's speed, but otherwise have made significant progress.

The program has a free and paid version. The first differs only in the lack of support for Wikipedia data and the limited number of update downloads. You can download the OsmAnd navigator for free and test it. If you like the utility, purchase the paid version.

Navitel GPS & Maps – suitable for any smartphone

Experts call the Navitel navigator the most accurate; it works on ultra-modern and simple smartphones. The speed of the utility is worthy of the highest ratings. The application provides a shortcut to your destination and warns you in advance about all turns and other actions.

This utility is what users call the best offline navigator for Android. How to install Navitel on your smartphone in this video instruction.

National Cartography CityGuide

CityGuide provides the owner of Android devices with detailed maps of the CIS, Lithuania, Finland, Norway and other European countries from national manufacturers. If necessary, the utility can download data from a freely available storage.

The application warns about obstacles and objects on the way and suggests the optimal speed limit.

There is only one caveat - you can use navigation for Android in Russian without an Internet connection only in the paid version of the program.

Mobile 2GIS - a powerful database for citizens

This utility helps you find literally everything: from a bus stop to the address of the desired organization.

Interestingly, 2GIS is able to track your location even if your smartphone does not have GPS. For confident orientation, you can activate the “Where am I” mode, which will rotate the map as you move. All this is designed with a colorful 3D map and a simple interface.

Google Maps - navigator for Android without the Internet

Another type of free navigator for Android that can work without the Internet is the Google Maps utility. Downloading maps for offline use is easy: just go to the app, find the area you're looking for, and tap the menu in the top right corner of the screen to save the information offline.

Any saved map can be renamed and updated if necessary.

Instructions for working with Google Maps in this video.

"Seven Roads" - domestic navigator

The free domestic application for Android devices “Seven Roads” has emulation of three-dimensional space, built-in POI filters and access to OSM maps. The simple and intuitive menu is easy to navigate. If you wish, you can change the interface by choosing a more attractive option in the settings.

The route editor notifies you about all important events along the way and mutes the music on your device during prompts. So far, this Russian application lacks connection with the source of information about traffic jams, but the developers are working in this direction.

Navigator in Europe and the USA without the Internet: Sygic utility

Sygic uses 3D maps from TomTom for routing. This powerful utility collects information from millions of users who transmit it over mobile phone lines. An important point: offline maps can only be tested for a week, after which you will have to upgrade to a license or download the basic version of the program.

The application is equipped with a Russian-speaking prompter, Natasha, with a pleasant voice. It will warn you in advance about all necessary actions and exceeding the permissible speed, for which in Europe you can be fined a substantial amount.

Summary: which navigator is better to install on Android for offline travel?

So, which navigator is better to download for Android for traveling without the Internet? We have given you examples of the best free utilities that will help you navigate the road when there is no connection. If you have time, you should test them before your trip and choose the best option. Our editorial team is inclined to believe that the Navitel utility is still the best, although, as they say, the taste and color... Choose what you like best and share your impressions in the comments!

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 to completely unfamiliar times. Technological progress has brought many useful gadgets that have made many areas of our lives easier. The brightest minds of mankind have not forgotten about navigation, having developed special GPS systems, as well as devices that made it possible to track location.

GPS navigator programs for Android - how it works

Initially, the functions of the navigator were assigned exclusively to separate devices of the same name. However, smartphones have since taken over the ability to track locations thanks to GPS modules, which have become an integral part of even the cheapest device. Smartphones have been good assistants for many users for many years, combining the functionality of several gadgets at once, therefore, 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, the presence of an offline mode and other characteristics, so each of them deserves attention.

Navitel Navigator

GPS navigators: Navitel

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

Distribution: free (first week);
Advertising: none;
Google Play rating: 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 Google Play application store. For the first 7 days, the developer provides a trial full version of the product, after which you will have to pay for using cards depending on the choice of package (from 790 rubles). A very useful feature will be the offline mode, which does not require an Internet connection to plot a route.

You just need to download the necessary maps from the developer’s official website and put them on a memory card in the appropriate folder.

After this, you can make full use of Navitel Navigator on Android, plotting routes or finding the necessary objects. But other functions, be it updates, Navitel.Traffic or Navitel.Weather, will require a network connection.

By the way, about the additional features of the navigator from Navitel:

Navitel.Traffic. In real time, the user receives information about traffic jams along his route.
Navitel.Friends. An interesting feature that will help you plan a route to meet a friend as quickly as possible.
Navitel.Weather. In a few clicks you can find out the weather anywhere in the world for the next three days.
Dynamic POI. With this feature, you will always be aware of fuel prices, movie theater schedules and other events.
Navitel.Events. The navigator will notify you about repair work, accidents and other incidents on the road.
Navitel.SMS. Prudently, 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 about 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, and it is constantly updated with new functions. The navigator from Navitel deservedly ranks high in the top applications and definitely deserves the attention of motorists.

Pros:

routes can be built quickly and easily;
Russian language;
3D mode;
ability to work without a constant Internet connection;
a wide range of additional features;

Minuses:

only 7 days trial period.

Yandex.Navigator

The Russian search giant does not stand aside from the mobile application market, from time to time releasing high-quality programs for a variety of needs. Yandex.Navigator is a free GPS navigator for Android with accurate maps, quick routing and a bunch of additional features.

Distribution: free;
Advertising: none;
Google Play rating: 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 and notify about 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 Yandex navigator on Android absolutely free from Google Play, and the user immediately receives the full version with all the features. Please note that the GPS navigator constantly requires an Internet connection - this is also its main drawback.

You can manually install the necessary maps by downloading them to your computer. Thus, the application will not have to load area maps while driving, wasting 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 it will say the destination address or report an incident. The driver function is really useful and convenient.

Pros:

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

Minuses:

A constant Internet connection is required.

Google Maps (Maps: transport and navigation)

An alternative navigation program for Android from Google. One of the best navigation applications that has earned a lot of positive user reviews. Google Maps includes maps of 220 countries, provides detailed descriptions of more than 100 million places, and makes it easy to get precise directions.

Distribution: free;
Advertising: none;
Google Play rating: 4.3;
Required Android version: depends on 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 about traffic congestion to plot routes, and does so quite accurately. Contains schedules 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 to drink coffee.

What largely ensured the popularity of Google Maps was its support for offline mode, in which the user can plot a route without access to the network.

In the navigator settings, you can activate the ability to save map sections to a cache so that you can later plot a route on them without an Internet connection.

Many people will also like the voice assistant, which will announce important events and also allow you to get directions by simply saying the address. Google Maps is an almost perfect free GPS navigator for Android with all the necessary functions, which only lacks clearer controls and corrections for routing errors.

Pros:

free;
availability of a lot of possibilities, including offline mode;
a huge number of available cards;
voice assistant;
information about many establishments with reviews and photos.

Minuses:

Some users complain that the route is not always laid out correctly.

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

Distribution: free (there are paid versions with additional features);
Advertising: none;
Google Play rating: 4.2;
Required Android version: depends on device;
Installations: 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 for free from the open source OpenStreetMap (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 downloads 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 get directions, but also find the nearest gas station or public transport stop. It supports several operating modes, has a built-in voice assistant, and also received a driver notification function when the permissible speed is exceeded.

OsmAnd can rightfully be called one of the best navigators for Android, but with some reservations. The application has slightly confusing controls and is not fully translated. Errors in route planning are also possible.

Pros:

free version with many features;
offline mode;
voice assistant support;
Russian localization;
regular updates.

Minuses:

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

Waze

One of (if not the) 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: depends on device;
Installs: more than 100 million
3D mode: yes;
Russian language support: yes;
Shows traffic jams: yes;
Offline mode: yes.

Before us is a navigator for Android, which contains maps of dozens of cities, knows where it is best to drive, is aware of traffic jams and repair work. Waze is integrated with the 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. Tell the app about traffic jams, accidents, and attractions you pass so that others can be 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:

high-quality implementation of the application;
information about traffic jams and other events;
3D mode;
offline mode;
ability to edit the map;
a lot of unique features.

Minuses:

The navigator has some minor flaws in its operation - there is room for improvement.

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

Distribution: free (paid content available);
Advertising: none;
Google Play rating: 4.2;
Required Android version: depends on device;
Installations: 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 a clear and convenient interface, made in the style of tiles (like Windows 8). Moreover, the topic can be changed. “7 Roads” receives maps from the popular open source OpenStreetMaps. Maps can be downloaded directly in the application, which is very convenient. Thousands of cards are distributed free of charge, but there are also paid solutions that offer more elaborate plans.

GPS navigators: MAPS.ME

MAPS.ME is a navigator that should be on any traveler’s Android device. The free application is packed 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;
Google Play rating: 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 that it is completely free and offline mode, which does not require a constant connection to the network. Thousands of maps offered by the OpenStreetMap open library are available to the driver for downloading. Maps load at lightning speed and boast high accuracy and detail. The developers did not forget about the descriptions of popular places, restaurants and cinemas.

The only thing MAPS.ME lacked from being ideal was support for traffic information, which is important in large cities. Therefore, the navigator is preferable for drivers who love long trips to the most remote places.

Pros:

free distribution;
offline mode;
a huge number of free maps with high detail;
Russian language;
information about attractions, restaurants, cafes and other places.

Minuses:

no information about traffic jams.

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, create a route for a pedestrian or cyclist, and help you find a movie theater with show times. Today we told you about the 7 best navigators for Android and, we hope, at least one will become your faithful assistant on the road.

GPS navigation is one of the most popular features on a smartphone. When exploring a city by car or bicycle, it is essential to follow the best route. Navigators will help you optimize auto and pedestrian routes and get to the desired coordinates faster.

We compared popular, top mobile navigators. Main criteria: ease of use, functionality and price (free) of the navigator. At the end of the review, we will summarize: which navigator is the best.

Participants:

Over time, the review will be updated with new GPS programs. If, in your opinion, there are more interesting navigators for Android, leave your comments at the end of the article, through the contact form. Thank you!

Google Maps for Android - standard Android navigator

Reviewing Google Maps a year ago, we noted that some functions of the navigator were not finalized or optimized. By 2019, the situation had improved markedly – especially in terms of user experience. However, we note some of the rough edges of Google Maps.

The function of downloading offline maps appeared relatively recently. It allows you to plot routes and navigate on the map without an Internet connection. Due to the fact that offline maps are not yet a fully tested function, not everything is so smooth with it. However, like other Android navigators.

The inconvenience is that you cannot download maps for large regions of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and other CIS countries. Only selected offline maps of large cities or regions are available. When driving outside the city limits, it is difficult for a motorist to do without online synchronization.

Disadvantages of Google Maps

1) The selection of locations and attractions in Google Maps is quite scarce: to get complete information about hotels, restaurants, shops, schools, etc. available nearby, you have to use third-party applets (Foursquare, TripAdvisor, Yandex.City).

2) No data on road accidents; You cannot add points with car accidents yourself, which would be quite useful for notifying other drivers.

3) In comparison with Yandex Navigator, there is no warning about speed control, there are no alternative voice assistants.

Advantages of Google Maps

However, Google Maps also has many positive aspects.

Yandex Navigator: navigator with voice control

The interface of the mobile version of Yandex Navigator is well structured and clear. When driving a car along a route, it displays information about the approximate time remaining to the destination and the distance to the final point. If you need to stop at a service station, gas station or car wash along the way, you can specify an additional point on the Yandex Navigator map - and the route will be optimally recalculated taking into account the intermediate point. You can turn the traffic and directions layer on and off by pressing a single button with a yellow traffic light.

The exclusive features of the navigator include the night GPS mode for Android, where the map is displayed in dark colors, without distracting the driver’s attention when driving late and prevents the eyes from getting too tired when looking at objects. By the way, the range of searchable POI objects is really impressive. Along with the already familiar restaurants, ATMs and cinemas, you can use layers to display nearby communication points, post offices, salons and many other interesting places.

Another nice feature is voice control from your phone. Similar to Google Maps, you can search for the necessary objects on the map, request addresses on the map.

As for the program's offline operation, you can download GPS maps for Android for major settlements in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. By turning on Yandex Navigator offline, you can view them, but plotting routes and searching for local attractions on the map is only possible if you have a network connection.

Thus, Yandex Navigator for Android leaves the most pleasant impression. The product claims to be the best free GPS navigator for Android in 2018.

Navitel: a well-designed GPS navigator for Android

Navitel Navigator is a GPS program from a leading developer in the field of navigation and digital map creation. To purchase the cards themselves, you will have to fork out a small amount, but if you wish, you can download them for free on torrents or file hosting sites (for example, on the pda forum).

Strengths of Navitel Navigator

1) Map display options: switch between 2D and 3D modes, which will be especially useful in some situations.

2) User-friendly interface. The lion's share of branded chips is available in the top line for quick access. Choosing between night and day skins

4) Switching between satellites: under any weather conditions, the map with POI is always available.

Note. Not long ago we did something for Android, where we listed in detail all the advantages and individual “features”.

Navitel Navigator: GPS routes on the screen

5) Convenient control. When navigating along a route, managing the map is quite intuitive and simple: there is a zoom function, rotation of the map according to movement, and the ability to switch between preset profiles for any type of transport.

6) Information content. The movement is visually accompanied by information about the speed of the object, the remaining time to reach the destination, the distance of the nearest turn and audio support. In general, the navigation is well thought out and intuitive.

Well-thought-out functionality and high-quality design turn the Navitel mobile application into the main candidate in the “Best GPS navigator for Android” nomination.

Waze - an informative GPS navigator for Android

Waze (Free) is a free navigator for Android with opensource code.

Benefits of Waze

1) The social features integrated into Waze greatly improve your driving experience. Waze users report problems on the road - be it repairs, accidents, traffic jams, traffic police posts, cameras and other “troubles”. Accordingly, other drivers are already aware of the changes. In addition to reviews, the application collects information from its own database on the server.

2) The map with routes is informative. Waze uses proven OSM maps. They are highly detailed and accurate.

3) Waze automatically reroutes if your phone crashes, the app crashes, or anything else that might interrupt your navigation. Standard Google Maps doesn't do this. Likewise, Waze makes it easy to view your route or map when needed and always returns to Automotive mode.

OsmAnd: navigation for Android in offline mode

Let's list the strengths of the OsmAnd navigator.

Pros of OsmAnd

1) Autonomy. OsmAnd is, first of all, a good offline navigator. Suitable for those who prefer to download maps to their gadget once and no longer connect to the Internet while in offline mode.

2) Cards. For navigation in OsmAnd, raster and vector maps of Open Street Maps are used, compiled by users of the service. They allow you to filter POI objects (attractions, museums, theaters, pharmacies, etc.) and select a profile for the corresponding vehicle. The travel route can be optimized taking into account the shortest distance, avoiding toll roads, dirt roads, ferries, and highways.

OsmAnd is one of the best navigators for Android

3) Customizable maps. You can add objects yourself, create or edit maps. Thanks to the support of plugins, the functionality of OsmAnd is significantly expanded: for example, you can activate the OsMo live monitoring system with tracking of other gadgets using the service; add to groups; download sea and ski maps; calculate optimal distances between specified points using GPX; impose contour lines and layers of relief, which will certainly be appreciated by tourists and athletes).

4) Additional functions. All standard features for GPS navigators are also present: voice control, assistant, screen reorientation, profile switching.

Maps.me

Maps.me is a GPS navigator, popular in Russia, the USA and Germany. Characterized by high accuracy and autonomy of cards.

Strengths of Maps.me

1) The accuracy and detail of maps is perhaps the most important thing, regardless of the type of transport. This navigator will be of interest to travelers and pedestrians, since the map displays the smallest details - trails, benches, names of objects.

2) Additional layers. Maps.me displays vector maps; through layers you can also display traffic jams and a metro map.

3) Lots of settings. In the maps.me settings you can change units of measurement, scaling, view your movement history, etc. There are navigation settings, in particular, you can configure auto zoom, voice instructions, and enable the display of speed cameras.

4) Switching navigation modes. The choice is car, pedestrian, public transport, taxi and bicycle.

5) Autonomy. Offline maps downloaded to a mobile device take up little space, but work fully, as if the Internet were present. It is clear that realtime functions will not be available, but information about traffic jams is not as important for a pedestrian or cyclist as it is for motorists.

Disadvantages of Maps.me

1) Limited navigation for motorists. It’s difficult to call Maps.me a perfect car navigator. At a minimum, travel routes are not always lined up correctly, not to mention the fact that the navigator does not offer alternative options.

2) There are errors. Since the maps are developed by the community, the data is not always up to date, especially for remote places and villages.

3) Quite inconvenient map display mode. Maps look very dry, scaling may not work.

Which navigator is the best as of 2019?

Each of the Android navigators, in some aspects (functions, maps) is better than its competitors and is good in its own way. Which navigator is right for you depends on your preferences and beliefs. We hope that we helped you choose the right application and it will remain on your phone.

Navigator application	Developer	Price	Offline maps support	Traffic jams	Voice acting	Russian language
Google Maps	Google Inc.	for free	+	+	+	+
Yandex Navigator	Yandex	for free	+	+	+	+
Navitel Navigator	Navitel	from 1000 rub.	+	+	+	+
Waze	Waze navigation	for free	+	+	+	+
OsmAnd for Android	OsmAnd	from 6.75 $	+	+	+	+

Yandex Navigator It is absolutely free and has excellent functionality. It wins the category "Best navigator for Android with support for Yandex Maps."

Navitel Navigator created and supported by the most famous company, so the quality of products and technical support are at their best - both for Android OS and other mobile devices.

Navigation app Waze- certainly attracts with its openness and free cards. However, like any developing product, this navigator is not perfect. We hope the growing community will have a positive impact on the quality of the application. As of 2018, alas, Waze maps are inferior in information content to the same Navitel or Google Maps.

Concerning OsmAnd, then this offline navigator for Android will serve perfectly in conditions where it is impossible to connect a mobile device to the network and works using open technologies.

Google Maps- navigator with voice control function. The good thing is that it is available out of the box (that is, it is initially included in Android). Google Maps is suitable for inexperienced travelers and drivers; it can be called one of the best offline navigators.

Maps.me will appeal to avid travelers and walkers. The navigator will delight you with detailed maps adapted for walking. We would recommend alternatives to motorists - Google Maps or Yandex Navigator.