This article contains a list with gratis (but not necessarily open source) satellite navigation (or "GPS") software for a range of devices (PC, laptop, tablet PC, mobile phone, handheld PC (Pocket PC, Palm)). Some of the free software mentioned here does not have detailed maps (or maps at all) or the ability to follow streets or type in street names (no geocoding). However, in many cases, it is also that which makes the program free (and sometimes open source [1] ), avoid the need of an Internet connection, [2] [3] [4] and make it very lightweight (allowing use on small portable devices, including smartphones). Very basic programs like this may not be suitable for road navigation in cars, but serve their purpose for navigation while walking or trekking, and for use at sea. To determine the GPS coordinates of a destination, one can use sites such as GPScoordinates.eu and GPS visualizer.
Some software presented here is free, but maps may need to be paid for. In this instance, and in the instance that some maps (of specific countries) are not standardly available, Mobile Atlas Creator (MOBAC) can be used (e.g. on OruxMaps, Maverick, Sports Tracker, Maplorer).
Some of the software mentioned can also be run on different devices than what they are intended for. A particular case-in-point is the Android software which can often be run on laptops or PCs (running Linux, Windows or Mac OS X) as well. This can be done using emulators.
Some of the software mentioned here may run only on devices that are no longer commercially sold (such as the PalmPilot and PocketPC devices). However, these devices are often still obtainable via second-hand websites.
Navigation software with free maps often uses maps from the OpenStreetMap project.
Name | Company or developer | Type of device [5] | Operating system | 3rd-party GPS-able? [6] | Software with maps? Follows streets? | Open source? | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aqua Map [7] | GEC | smartphone, tablet | Android, iOS | ? | Yes, yes | No | |
Google Maps | smartphone, tablet, laptop (online), PC (online) | Android, iOS | ? | Yes, yes | No | Maps can be downloaded, but they expire after 30 days, [8] [9] ads | |
Here WeGo [10] | HERE Global B.V., Netherlands | smartphone, tablet, laptop (online), PC (online), | Android, iOS | ? | yes (color maps), ? | No | intended for marine navigation |
Magic Earth | General Magic B.V. | Smartphone, tablet | Android, iOS | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), yes | No | Free OSM maps intended for car navigation, hiking and biking |
MapFactor [11] | MapFactor, s.r.o., Czech Republic | smartphone, tablet, laptop (online), tablet PC, car navigation | Android, iOS, Windows, WinCE, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 10 Mobile | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), yes | No | Free OSM maps, optional non-free TomTom maps, ads |
MAPS.ME [12] | MapsWithMe GmbH | smartphone | Android, BlackBerry, iOS | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), [13] yes [14] | (Apache License 2.0) [13] | ? |
Mapy.cz | Seznam.cz | smartphone, tablet, laptop (online), PC (online), car navigation | Android, iOS, Windows 10 Mobile | ? | Yes, yes | No | car, hiking, cycling, skiing and boating navigation with unlimited offline maps |
Navmii (formerly NavFree) [15] [16] | Navmii | smartphone, tablet, PC | Android, BlackBerry, iOS | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), yes | ? | ? |
NaviComputer [17] | ? | Windows Phone | Windows Mobile | ? | yes (?), no | ? | For hiking and biking |
Navit [18] [19] | none | smartphone, tablet, laptop (online), PC (online) | Android, Linux, OpenMoko, Windows for PC | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap and others), yes | (GPLv2) | Intended for road navigation |
OpenCPN [20] | ? | laptop, PC | IntelMac, Linux (Fedora, Ubuntu, CentOS),Windows XP SP3, Vista, 7, 8 | ? | yes (various charts and OpenStreetMap data), N/A | GPL | Intended for maritime navigation |
OsmAnd [21] | OsmAND bv | smartphone, tablet | Android, iOS | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), yes | (GPLv3+) | Limited to 7 maps for the free Google Play version, [22] unlimited on F-Droid Maps can be added manually via PC in program order on smartphone |
OSM Scout for Sailfish OS [23] | Karas Lukáš [24] | smartphone | Sailfish OS | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), yes | (LGPL) | Unlimited offline maps loaded from within the app. |
Organic Maps [25] | Organic Maps [25] | smartphone, tablet | Android, iOS | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), yes | (Apache License 2.0) [13] | Privacy-focused navigation - no location tracking and no data collection. For hiking, cycling and driving. Developed by the community as a free and open-source project. |
Pure Maps [26] + OSM Scout Server [27] | rinigus [28] | smartphone | Linux, Sailfish OS, UBports | ? | Yes (OpenStreetMap data), yes | (GPLv3) | Pure Maps acts as frontend and OSM Scout Server as backend. Unlimited offline maps loaded from within OSM Scout Server. |
Name | Company | Type of device [5] | Operating system | 3rd-party GPS-able? [6] | Software with maps? Follows streets? | Open-source? | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aqua Map [7] | GEC | Smartphone, tablet | Android, iOS | ? | Yes, yes | No | |
i-Boating [29] | i-Boating | Tablet, PC, Smartphone | Android, Embedded Linux & BlackBerry, iOS, Mac OS, Windows | Yes | Yes | No | Marine Navigation Software, free program, but maps need to be paid for |
HandMap [30] [31] | ? | handheld PC (Palm) | Palm OS | ? | yes (color maps, basic), ? | ? | May be a free program, but maps need to be paid for (hence called "shareware" at Tucows) ? |
Navionics Boating App [32] | Navionics | smartphone, tablet | Android, iOS | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | Intended for marine navigation, free program, but maps need to be paid for |
SailPalm [33] | ? | handheld PC (Palm) | Palm OS | ? | yes (black and white maps), ? | ? | Free program, but maps need to be paid for (hence called "shareware" at Tucows), intended for marine navigation (sailing) |
Name | Company | Type of device [5] | Operating system | 3rd-party GPS-able? [6] | Software with maps? Follows streets? | Open-source? | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FieldNote [34] | Mobile Computing | handheld PC (pocket PC) | Windows CE | ? | no, ? | ? | mainly intended to mark specific points without a map, not intended for actual navigation |
GPSLogger [35] | Open Project Basic Air Data | Tablet, PC, Smartphone and any android enabled device | Android | Yes, no specific hardware | No | GPLv3 [36] | Free and no ads. Exports in common formats and via email [37] |
osmdroid [38] | osmdroid.org | Tablet, PC, Smartphone and any android enabled device | Android | Yes, no specific hardware | yes (?), no | Apache [39] | may not allow actual navigation from point-to-point, only showing the current position on a map |
This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: Table content needs to be moved to Navigation software / Other GPS software sections.(September 2017) |
Name | Company | Type of device [5] | Operating system | 3rd-party GPS-able? [6] | Software with maps? Follows streets? | Open-source? | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maverick [40] [41] | ? | Tablet PC | Android | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | No | ? |
gvSIG Mini [42] [43] | Prodevelop | Tablet PC | Android | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | GPL | ? |
OpenSatNav [44] | Kieran Fleming et al. | Tablet PC | Android, OpenMoko | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
Minimap [45] | ? | Tablet PC | Android | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
MapDroyd [46] | CloudMade Deutschland GmbH | Tablet PC | Android | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
OruxMaps [47] | ? | Tablet PC | Android | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | No | ? |
AlpineQuest Off-Road Explorer [48] | Psyberia | Tablet, PC, Smartphone and any android enabled device | Android | ? | yes (?), ? | No | Since 2010. |
AndNav 2 [49] | ? | Tablet PC, | Android | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
Big Planet Tracks [50] | ? | Tablet PC, | Android | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
Sports Tracker [51] | Sports Tracking Technologies | Tablet PC | Android, | ? | yes (?), no | No | Does not allow navigation to specific points, only tracking |
RMaps [52] [53] | ? | tablet PC | Android | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | may not provide actual navigation, only marking of GPS points, and the current position |
AFTrack [54] | ? | Tablet PC, handheld PC (Symbian) | Android, Symbian OS series 60 | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
CacheBox [55] | ? | Tablet PC, PC, handheld PC (pocket PC) | Android, Windows Mobile, Windows for PC | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | initially intended for geocaching |
Mapopolis [56] | ? | Handheld PC (Palm) | Palm OS | ? | yes (black and white maps), ? | ? | only has maps for USA |
Magellan Nav Companion [57] | ? | handheld PC (Palm) | Palm OS | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
TZGPS [58] | ? | handheld PC (Palm) | Palm OS | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
Trax [59] [60] | Luke Klein-Berndt | handheld PC (Palm) | Palm OS | ? | ? (?), ? | ? | ? |
SoaringPilot [61] | ? | handheld PC (Palm, some PocketPC/WinCE devices) | Palm OS | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | Originally intended for use in sailplanes |
CotoGPS [62] | ? | handheld PC (Palm) | Palm OS | ? | ? (?), ? | ? | Originally intended for geocaching |
GpsPilot [63] | ? | handheld PC (Symbian One) | Symbian | ? | no (?), ? | ? | ? |
Maplorer [64] | ? | handheld PC (pocket PC) | Windows CE, Mobile | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
OSMtracker [65] | ? | handheld PC (pocket PC), smartphone | Android, Windows Mobile | ? | yes (?), ? | GPLv3 | ? |
gpsVP [66] | ? | handheld PC, certain smartphones | Windows Mobile 5,6, 2003 | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
CacheWolf [67] | ? | Laptop, PC | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
Glopus [68] | ? | Laptop, PC, handheld PC (Pocket PC) | Windows, ? | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
TrekBuddy [69] [70] | ? | PC, laptop, handheld PC (Palm, Symbian, BlackBerry), Windows Phone | Android,Symbian, Palm OS, SE proprietary OS, Windows Mobile, Windows XP, Vista, | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | Runs on Java, hence cross-platform |
gvSIG 2.0 [71] | ? | PC, laptop, | Windows XP, Vista, Linux, OS X | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | cross-platform; originally intended as a GIS; however can be fitted with GPS receiver and has support for it [72] and also allows to easily download maps from any location from an online database as OpenStreetMap, and many others [73] [74] |
LuckyGPS [75] | ? | Laptop, PC, smartphone | Windows, Linux, OpenMoko | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
Mumpot [76] | ? | Laptop, PC, smartphone | Linux, OpenMoko, GPE | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
Pyroute [77] | Ojw | Laptop, PC, smartphone | Windows XP, Linux, OpenMoko | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
TangoGPS [78] | Marcus Bauer | Laptop, PC, smartphone | Linux, OpenMoko | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
FoxtrotGPS [79] | ? | Laptop, PC | Linux, OpenMoko | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | based on TangoGPS, actively being developed, especially adapted for use with touch screens |
Rana [80] | Ojw | smartphone | OpenMoko, Neo Freerunner | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | runs on Python, so possibly cross-platform |
BikeAtor [81] [82] | ? | smartphone (OpenMoko, Symbian), tablet PC | Android, OpenMoko, Symbian | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
Osmarender [83] | ? | laptop, PC | , Linux, OS X, Windows | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | Not intuitive |
Mobile Trail Explorer [84] | ? | smartphone, ? | Symbian, multiple OSs | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | Runs on Java, so a cross-platform GPS navigation software |
Open Citymap [85] | ? | smartphone (Qt) | Windows CE, OpenMoko | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
Mappero | ? | Nokia N810 | Maemo [86] | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
NaviPOWM [87] | ? | handheld PC, Laptop, PC | Windows for PC, Windows Mobile 5/6/2003 SE, Linux | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | ? |
GPSS | Robin Lovelock | Laptop or Pocket PC | Windows for PC, Windows Mobile | ? | yes (can import) | No | Since 1995. www.gpss.co.uk |
NaVisu | ? | Laptop, PC | Linux, OS X, Windows | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | ? | Developed for marine applications, not intuitive, built around NASA WorldWind |
Cetus GPS [88] | Cetus software | embedded system (Garmin) | OS 5 | ? | yes (?), ? | ? | ? |
GPS interpreter [89] | Marcel Durieux, Christian Tavernier [90] [89] | Embedded system (purpose-build PCB) [91] | ? | ? | yes, ? | ? | ? |
Andrew Holme's GPS software | Andrew Holme [92] | Embedded system (several custom PCB's + Raspberry Pi) [93] | Raspbian Linux | ? | ?, ? | ? | ? |
AdvRider WD [94] | Adi Barda | Android | Android | ? | yes (can import) | No | Since 2013. |
TheGOAT [95] | ? | Tablet PC | Android | ? | yes (OpenStreetMap data), ? | No | ? |
Wayfinder was a wholly owned subsidiary of Vodafone specializing in creating mobile navigation systems for a number of platforms such as Symbian 2nd and 3rd edition, UIQ, Windows Mobile and some other smartphones. An external Bluetooth GPS receiver is required for non GPS enabled phones. On March 12, 2010, it was announced that Vodafone was closing the company and all employees would be let go.
Google Developers is Google's site for software development tools and platforms, application programming interfaces (APIs), and technical resources. The site contains documentation on using Google developer tools and APIs—including discussion groups and blogs for developers using Google's developer products.
Navit is a free and open-source, modular, touch screen friendly, car navigation system with GPS tracking, realtime routing engine and support for various vector map formats. It features both a 2D and 3D view of map data.
Turn-by-turn navigation is a feature of some satellite navigation devices where directions for a selected route are continually presented to the user in the form of spoken or visual instructions. The system keeps the user up-to-date about the best route to the destination, and is often updated according to changing factors such as traffic and road conditions. Turn-by-turn systems typically use an electronic voice to inform the user whether to turn left or right, the street name, and the distance to the next turn.
This is a list of notable commercial satellite navigation software for various devices, with a specific focus on mobile phones, tablets, tablet PCs,.
Kiwix is a free and open-source offline web browser created by Emmanuel Engelhart and Renaud Gaudin in 2007. It was first launched to allow offline access to Wikipedia, but has since expanded to include other projects from the Wikimedia Foundation, public domain texts from Project Gutenberg, many of the Stack Exchange sites, and many other resources. Available in more than 100 languages, Kiwix has been included in several high-profile projects, from smuggling operations in North Korea to Google Impact Challenge's recipient Bibliothèques Sans Frontières.
Google Authenticator is a software-based authenticator by Google. It implements multi-factor authentication services using the time-based one-time password and HMAC-based one-time password, for authenticating users of software applications.
OsmAnd is a map and navigation app for Android and iOS. It uses the OpenStreetMap (OSM) map database for its primary displays, but is an independent app not endorsed by the OpenStreetMap Foundation. It is available in both free and paid versions; the latter unlocks the download limit for offline maps and provides access to Wikipedia points of interest (POIs) and their descriptions from within the app. Map data can be stored on the device for offline use. Using the device's GPS capabilities, OsmAnd offers routing, with visual and voice guidance, for car, bike, and pedestrian. All of the main functionalities work both online and offline.
Avare is a free open source "moving map" aviation GPS, A/FD and EFB app for phones or tablets using the Android Operating System. The app uses any internal Android or compatible external GPS receiver to determine location, allowing real-time display of location, heading, speed, distance, time, and altitude on free U.S. FAA IFR or VFR aviation charts; or on select topographic charts. Included are 3D, ADSB-In and other advanced options. The user can access all relevant static current FAA official data and some non-FAA maps and data in flight without data connection, once data has been downloaded to the device. With an aircraft ADSB-Out transmitter and inexpensive ADSB-In receiver Avare can also display any available FAA live ADSB data in flight. Some advanced users also interface Avare with an auto-pilot or flight simulator.
Maps.me is a mobile app for Android, iOS and BlackBerry that provides offline maps using OpenStreetMap data. It was formerly known as MapsWithMe. In November 2014, it was acquired by Mail.Ru Group and became part of its My.com brand. In September 2015, the app was open sourced and a free and open-source software version was additionally made available on F-droid until the application was sold to the payment processor Daegu Limited, part of Parity.com, which changed the application user interface and content, which led Alexander Borsuk and Viktor Govako to release an open source ad- and tracker-free fork called 'Organic Maps' in response.
Wikiloc is a website, launched in 2006, containing GPS trails and waypoints that members have uploaded. This mashup shows the routes in frames showing Google Maps. The service is also available in Google Earth. There are mobile apps for Android and iPhone. The product has more than 11M members, is offered in many languages and has more than 37.9M tracks of dozens of activities in many countries and territories. Wikiloc began as a worldwide online reference for hiking. Additionally, photographs on Wikiloc enabled automated content analysis to characterize the landscape in the Ebro Delta Natural Park, Spain.
Here WeGo is a web mapping and satellite navigation software, operated by HERE Technologies and available on the Web and mobile platforms. It is based on HERE's location data platform, providing its in-house data, which includes satellite views, traffic data, and other location services. Maps are updated every two or three months.
Locus Map is a multi-functional Android navigation app. Primarily it is designed and used for leisure time outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or geocaching. The app is also used by professionals e.g. by S&R teams or for collecting geospatial data.
Karta GPS is a mobile application developed by Karta Software Technologies Lda., a daughter company of NDrive, for the Android, iOS and iPadOS operating systems. It is distributed for free and pairs open-source map data from OpenStreetMap alongside curated content from Yelp and Foursquare.
KartaView, formerly called OpenStreetView and OpenStreetCam, is a project to collect crowdsourced street-level photographs for improving OpenStreetMap operated by Grab Holdings. Collected imagery is published under a CC BY-SA license and while some of the project's code is released as open source, much of it still require proprietary software to function. This is one of the few alternative platforms that offer street view like Google.
Foliate is a free e-book reading application for desktop Linux systems. The name refers to leaves, meaning "(getting) leafy" or "…-leaved".
Conversations is a free software, instant messaging client application software for Android. It is largely based on recognized open standards such as the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) and Transport Layer Security (TLS).
Organic Maps is a community-developed, privacy-focused and offline navigation app. This app has the main features of no location tracking and no data collection. The map data is downloaded to the phone so search, routing, and navigation can operate without a cell phone signal, ideal for travel to locations with poor connections. Organic Maps uses the crowdsourced map data from OpenStreetMap. The app is free and open-source software, with priority for community development and collaboration.
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