All smartphones include a satellite navigator inside, which detects the position via GPS connection, allows you to explore road maps from around the world and also have the function of driving with real-time voice instructions. On Android smartphones (Samsung Galaxy, Huawei, Honor, Motorola, LG etc.) you will find Google Maps, which works well via internet connection, but which can also be used offline, without active data connection. Google Maps is a really powerful app, a navigator that is almost never wrong, complete with all the most advanced search functions, with the ability to give precise driving directions to take as little time as possible to get to a place, even based on traffic and time.
As seen in another guide, it is possible to download a part of the world map (perhaps of the place where you live or go on vacation) to your phone's memory in order to use Google Maps Offline also as a real-time navigator.
In addition to Google Maps, if you don't like it or if you want a second alternative to use, you can use other apps that work as satellite navigators for Android smartphones, with offline maps, real-time navigation.
In this guide we see the best GPS satellite navigators for Android with offline maps, which are free to download and use (albeit sometimes with some limitations).
READ ALSO: 20 most useful and hidden Google Maps functions
1) Here WeGo is the former Nokia Maps, now become a very lively independent project with continuous updates.
The application allows you to receive directions in real time, with voice guidance, even offline.
There are numerous options for finding the best roads by car, bicycle and even on foot.
Here WeGo allows you to download maps and use them without the need for an internet connection.
2) MapFactor is one of the most popular navigation apps of the Google Play store, because it is an excellent free alternative to Google Maps, with basic navigation and GPS functions. As maps use those of OpenStreetMap, which are updated monthly. There are also additional map options, though some are paid. MapFactor includes voice directions, 2D and 3D modes, day and night themes and the possibility to search for addresses and places even without being connected to the internet.
3) Mapquest is a historical navigator for Android that despite many changes over the years has remained a very valid alternative to follow road directions step by step even with real-time traffic updates and reporting of cheaper petrol stations.
Maps aren't perfect in street names, but it really depends on where you use it.
4) Maps.me is a completely free app today that allows you to download maps and maps of every state of the world in order to consult them offline, and to take advantage of the GPS turn-by-turn GPS navigator without the need for internet connection . This always uses OpenStreetMap data but is an application that only serves to save the map of an area on the phone in order to consult it offline. Maps.me is an excellent application because it stores the map data without taking up too much space on the SD card and because it is easy to select the entire map of Italy or another country or just a region of it.
5) Polaris Navigation is not an app to be used in place of Google Maps, but it allows you to have precise driving directions using land coordinates, ideal for hiking, fishing, camping and walking in places without roads.
6) Sygic is a very popular and highly appreciated navigation app, which can be downloaded in a partially free version, with some unlockable paid functions (for 7 days you can try it for free in the full version).
The downloaded maps can be used offline and are those of TomTom.
The turn-by-turn navigator has the function of voice prompts which include street names, the search for alternative routes and also the indication of the speed limit.
7) TomTom Go Mobile for Android is the official TomTom app, free within certain limits as explained in the article.
8) Copilot GPS is an application specialized in driving in the car, free without limitations for only seven days, with the option to keep it with limited options or to pay to buy the whole package. The free version still includes real-time navigation and offline maps for a country, even if only in 2D and not in 3D.
9) The Waze GPS navigator is a very comfortable Google-owned navigation app as an alternative to Google Maps, above all for its fun social functions and for the ability to always find the path that takes less time. Real-time traffic information comes from people who actually drive in traffic. In addition, checkpoints, speed cameras, accidents, jobs and lots of useful information are also indicated. Waze is completely free, with the only flaw of working only with internet connection.
10) Navfree is a complete and free application similar to Google Maps, with GPS navigator and voice prompts also with Italian voice.
Navfree uses OpenStreetMap data, a world map that is always updated by users.
US maps available in a specific application called Navfree USA are excluded.
As NavFree starts, you can choose which map to download and the download of the Italian one is available with a 256 MB file downloadable on the SD card. Navfree is a real navigator that works even offline, without internet connection. The only limitation is that, without connection, you cannot search for streets and addresses. However, it is possible to save some addresses as favorites first so then you can take advantage of the application and get the directions to get there by keeping the phone offline. Without connection you can also navigate to the points of interest which therefore always remain available to search for banks, petrol stations and more.
11) Osmand is an Android app that allows you to download maps and maps from around the world to be able to consult it even without connecting your mobile phone to the internet. To download the maps, from the application go to Settings> Data Management> Download button. The app allows you to download a maximum of 10 maps for free. The navigation function is also integrated in the application, useful for using the app as an offline GPS navigator.
12) Locus is an app that I had previously reported to save maps on Android phones on the phone.
It no longer supports Google Maps as in the past but allows you to select the maps of Mapquest, another alternative source to use in case Open Street Maps is not updated in a particular area of the world.
13) 2GIS: directory & navigator is a free application complete with a real-time navigator and all the functions to find roads to travel on, only that it has maps for some cities only.
14) Google Maps Go is the light and limited version of Google Maps, useful for quickly knowing the traffic situation and for finding directions without all the other normal Google Maps functions.
