The world leader in satellite navigation systems TomTom, to avoid losing more and more market share than Google Maps, Apple Maps and other navigation apps for smartphones, has decided to release, free of charge, an app (for now) for iPhone and for Android, completely free . The app is the original TomTom navigator, complete with downloadable maps for Italy, Europe and the United States.
Tomtom uses constantly updated TeleAtlas maps and also provides a real-time traffic detection service.
TomTom app for Android and iPhone includes all the functions of the satellite navigator, with carefully optimized calculated routes, a route planning menu and offline maps that can also be used without an internet connection.
The TomTom Go Mobile or TomTom Navigation and Traffic app can be downloaded for free for all Samsung, HTC, LG, Nexus and Android smartphones .
In 2016, the TomTom Go Mobile app for iPhone was also made free
It must be said that the program is not completely free, but has limitations that are unlocked only by paying.
To be precise, it can be used for the first month for 250 kilometers, then for 75 kilometers you can use TomTom as a free satellite navigation service.
If you want to use more, you will pay for the necessary kilometers or with a subscription unlimited kilometers of a month, a year or even three years.
Once the app is opened for the first time, you can download the first map which can be Italy, Europe or the USA .
The download of the Italy map is 700 MB so you must use a non-limited and non-consumption wifi connection.
The graphics of the app are typical of TomTom, with different color combinations and double 2D or 3D views depending on your preferences.
In the main screen you can read the name of the street you are on, the name of the street you are about to cross and the names of the adjacent streets.
The zoom of the map in 2D and 3D can be adjusted manually or automatically according to the detected speed.
The points of interest also appear on the map, which can be petrol stations, bars, banks or others to choose from in the settings.
TomTom App for Android and iPhone includes audible warnings for exceeding the speed limit and can warn us near areas where you need to slow down like schools, hospitals, etc.
The navigator's voice is in Italian.
To access the main settings, simply press any area of the map displayed.
Overall there are all the typical functions of the classic TomTom navigator, with the demo of a route, the choice of the cheapest and the ones without traffic.
What needs to be understood now is whether TomTom Go is better than Google Maps for Android or Nokia Here for iPhone and Android
In general it must be admitted that TomTom is a more powerful, faster and more complete app with satellite navigation functions.
The most important key feature is that the maps are on the phone's memory and, although Google Maps allows you to download parts of the maps for offline access, it does not work as a navigator, however.
Google Maps without internet can only be used as a map while TomTom Go without internet and therefore also works as a GPS navigator abroad.
In this therefore it is similar to NavFree, mentioned among the best Android apps with GPS maps and free offline navigators
Google Maps is more powerful in choosing the best route based on traffic (thanks also to the integration with Waze) and in the ease of finding alternative routes.
For free use, TomTom Go, if you have space on the memory or on the SD card of your smartphone, it deserves to be downloaded and kept ready for when you go abroad or for when there is no network.
