Blog RSSAlternatives to Apple’s Maps App in iOS 6
The Maps app in iOS 6 has been lambasted pretty thoroughly even in the short time it’s been available to the public for laughably incorrect data (check out this collection of screenshots for a good chuckle) to a simple lack of useful information compared to its predecessor. Though I’m not a betting woman, I’d still wager that Apple is already working on improving the data in Maps and it will get better over time. However, if you can’t wait for that and need reliable maps and voice-guided navigation right now, we’ve got a list of apps for you to consider.
The alternatives to Maps range in price from free to $20 or more. Generally the most significant difference between the apps that are free/low-cost and paid among these alternatives comes down to the map data and where it’s stored. The free or low-cost apps usually don’t store any map data in your iPhone and you’ll need a data connection as you travel to keep getting maps and guidance while many of the more expensive ($20 and higher) paid apps usually bundle the map data within the app so you don’t need a data connection to get directions as you travel.
Keeping that in mind, here are some good free and low-cost alternatives:
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Reference
Bing
- Last Changed:
- 14 months ago
- Rating:
- 3.50 (822)
- Version:
- v3.03
iOS iPhone
Bing is a decision engine designed to work beautifully on your iPhone. Whatever you're looking for, Bing can find it and help you get there—down the street, the other side of the world, or...
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Navigation
MapQuest: Maps, GPS, Voice...
- Last Changed:
- 1 week ago
- Rating:
- 4.00 (249)
- Version:
- 3.5
iOS iPhone
Get FREE voice-guided, turn-by-turn, GPS navigation from one of the top-rated navigation apps available on iPhone. Using MapQuest’s trusted directions, this free app speaks to you - telling you...
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Navigation
Waze social GPS, maps &...
- Last Changed:
- 12 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 5.00 (14739)
- Version:
- 3.6
iOS Universal
Waze is a fun, community-based mapping, traffic & navigation app, 40 million strong. Join forces with other drivers nearby to outsmart traffic, save time & gas money, and improve...
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Navigation
CoPilot GPS – Plan &...
- Last Changed:
- 9 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 4.00 (481)
- Version:
- 9.4.0.170
iOS Universal
★★★★★ As featured on Engadget, CNET, The Register and many more ★★★★★ CoPilot GPS is the powerful free offline mapping, route planning and local exploring app from the developers...
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Navigation
GPS by TeleNav
- Last Changed:
- 24 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 3.50 (316)
- Version:
- 7.0.22
iOS Universal
***Check out Scout, Telenav's newest personalized GPS navigation app with free voice guidance. Just search for "Scout"*** “...Without a doubt this is the most user-friendly...
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Navigation
Yellow Pages
- Last Changed:
- 5 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 4.50 (251)
- Version:
- 4.6.3
iOS Universal
We’re bringing you what others just can’t: business listings, reviews and discounts all in one place — plus absolutely free turn-by-turn voice GPS navigation. With the tap of your finger,...
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Navigation
AT&T Navigator
- Last Changed:
- 10 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 1.50 (134)
- Version:
- 3.1i
iOS Universal
Keep AT&T Navigator at your side to feel like a local wherever you are. Quickly. Easily. Find millions of places in an instant. Just tell it what you’re looking for. Or use Quick Search...
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Navigation
MotionX GPS Drive
- Last Changed:
- 24 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 4.50 (2971)
- Version:
- 15.0
iOS Universal
The #1 Rated iPhone and iPad navigation solution. ★★★★★ MotionX-GPS Drive named "Best iPhone 5 App for Drivers" by Total Car Score ★★★★★ "Hands-down...
When it comes to paid navigation apps, Navigon’s offering tops my list over the other apps I’ve tried by TomTom, iGo, CoPilot Live, and others but they are all good choices with similar feature sets, in most cases, and are perfectly capable of getting you from point A to point B.
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Navigation
NAVIGON North America
- Last Changed:
- 1 week ago
- Rating:
- 3.00 (19)
- Version:
- 2.4.2
iOS Universal
With NAVIGON you can turn your iPhone or iPad into a fully functional mobile navigation system. Thanks to a faithful adaptation of the menu functions, the app fits in seamlessly with the iOS...
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Navigation
TomTom U.S.A.
- Last Changed:
- 3 days ago
- Rating:
- 2.50 (44)
- Version:
- 1.14
iOS Universal
Get the TomTom app. Now for less, save up to 30% for a limited time. Last minute plans? With the TomTom Navigation app, driving somewhere new couldn’t be easier. You’ve always got your iPhone...
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Navigation
Garmin U.S.A.
- Last Changed:
- 1 week ago
- Rating:
- 2.50 (29)
- Version:
- 2.4.2
iOS iPhone
Download Garmin StreetPilot® Onboard U.S.A. and give your iPhone® or iPad® the best in GPS navigation with photoReal junction views, 3D buildings, speed/red light camera alerts and more. Garmin...
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Navigation
North America - iGO primo app
- Last Changed:
- 14 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 3.00 (186)
- Version:
- 2.4.6
iOS Universal
*** THE NEXT GENERATION OF NAVIGATION: iGO primo app is here to get where YOU want to be when you want to be*** FREE TRAFFIC!? You need it? Yout got it! Enter the SHOP to DOWNLOAD it NOW! If you...
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Navigation
CoPilot Live Premium HD USA...
- Last Changed:
- 7 weeks ago
- Rating:
- 4.00 (41)
- Version:
- 9.4.0.170
iOS Universal
CoPilot Live Premium HD turns your iPhone and iPad into a high performance voice-guided GPS with offline maps, live traffic information and advanced navigation features. This HD edition is...
Now none of these apps are integrated into iOS 6 so you’ll always get dropped into the built-in Maps app when you tap on location links in Safari, Mail, Contacts, etc. So, you’ll need to copy the address, manually open your maps app of choice, and paste it in to search or generate directions.
So there you have it. If you feel like Apple left you out in the cold with inaccurate or unreliable data in Maps when you updated to iOS 6 or got your shiny new iPhone 5, there are plenty of other choices to get you where you need to go while Apple cracks the whip on the team responsible to get Maps up to snuff. If you want to help Apple improve Maps, you can find instructions on how to submit map data corrections here.
7:13 pm, September 24th, 2012
I use Navigon, which allows directions to and from contacts. It may not be integrated, but as long as you add a location to your contact list you’re good to go.
4:30 am, September 25th, 2012
OpenMaps is great: http://izeize.com/openmaps – Free, or for $3 you get Routes & ability to Download maps.
It’s based on http://OpenStreetMap.org so you can easily correct anything that’s not right.
One other cool feature is a sort of Twitter radar – tap the T button and it’ll sweep around your current location showing any geocoded tweets in that area.
6:58 am, September 25th, 2012
What about Navfree GPS Live Canada, USA, etc? I use this app and it’s got a rating of 3.5. It’s got voice turn by turn navigation and off line maps…all this for free!
10:24 pm, September 25th, 2012
The free Bing app has maps too.
2:36 am, September 26th, 2012
You iss somehow also paid navigation from Sygic, which is my preffered even over Navigon
11:24 am, September 26th, 2012
i find the Maps from Apple very good, better than Gloogle one, as a navigation system i use Navigon, that has been far the best on mobiles
1:12 pm, September 26th, 2012
One word: TRAFFIC
The new Apple map app doesn’t give nearly as much traffic data as Google Maps does, and living in Los Angeles makes it a must-have feature. It’s not enough to know what traffic conditions are like on the freeways, we need to know what it’s like on major boulevards and streets!
I also liked being able to search for a business from within Google Maps and finding it, whether or not it was in my Contacts file.
I’ve been an Apple devotee since the first Macintosh computer, and part of the reason for my loyalty was that unlike in the DOS and Windows worlds, Apple always took care to release a product that was thoroughly tested, tried and true. They treated their customers with respect in that regard, rather than releasing half-baked products.
Sadly, Apple Maps is a half-baked product. If this is going to be the way Apple does business in the future then they’re going to lose a LOT of that loyal base of customers who’ve made them so successful.
5:38 am, September 29th, 2012
Apple should upgrade their Apple maps as quick as possible
6:02 am, September 29th, 2012
The Nokia maps at m.maps.nokia.com can also be attached as a icon for quick access. The maps have live traffic info and voice guided navigation, all for free.
5:57 am, September 30th, 2012
Apple fan have to wait
4:24 am, October 2nd, 2012
I’ve been using waze for months. I performs really accurately, plus the live traffic feature (based on reports from other drivers on your route) is great.