A map is essential and should definitely be on your Overlanding checklist. So, specific overlanding map apps should be on your gotta get the list.
We know that Overlanding is all about the journey and there is meaning in being lost but how would you enjoy the journey when you keep on getting lost and you make yourself at risk of potential dangers on the road?
To make your exploration stress-free, relaxing, and comfortable you can just install a map application on your phone. You don’t need another device because your phone is already a GPS device. All you need is to install the best Overlanding map application available. You save money and at the same time, you save space.
There are lots of map applications out there but to save you time from researching, we’ve gathered relevant information to help you decide. We’ll do a comparison of the top 3 Overlanding map apps available both for iOS and Android users. Let’s see which one of them is the best Overlanding map application ready for some adventures.
Have a look at our recommended self-reliance gear here.
Top 3 Map Apps for Overlanding
These three Map Apps have many superior qualities and are perfect for exploring remote places in your travels.
- Maps.Me
- Gaia GPS
- OnX Offroad App
Which is the Best Map App for Overlanding?
The GAIA GPS is the best overlanding map app after the comparison of the top 3 Overlanding map applications. The premium subscription is very affordable and not expensive actually when you look at the many features that Gaia GPS can give you. They include Natural Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps, multiple overlays, organization, customization, and many other features. Gaia GPS is the best Overlanding map app that resonates with the adventurous spirit of overlanders and the only app that can satisfy the craving for exploration every overlander has.
Let’s take a closer look at the best overlanding maps and what characteristics they have (or should have).
What to look for in an Overlanding Map App?
Before diving into the top 3 map application, it’s important to determine our basis for comparison. What should you look for in a map application before you hit that download button?
- Reviews: How many stars and downloads does it have?
- Compatibility. Can you download the app on your device (iOS or Android)?
- Features. Can the features make your Overlanding life much easier?
- Subscription Plans. Does it offer reasonable subscription fees given what it’s capable of?
- Navigation. Is it easy to use?
- Downloadable Maps. Can you use the app offline?
- Speed. Does it load searches fast?
- Good Image Resolution/ Interface. Can you easily read the displayed location names?
- Updates. Does it update frequently to show sudden changes in weather systems or road situations?
Top 3 Overlanding Map Apps
1. Maps.me
Every overlander knows Maps.me. In fact, most of them would say that Maps.me is their favorite or “the go-to” offline map application, perfect for exploring remote places.
About the App
When you go to the official website of maps.me they would warmly welcome you with a headline saying, “Not just an app but a friend in all your adventures.” Notice the word ‘friend.’ Maps.me isn’t just an application, this app could keep you company on your long road trip. This map application promises a great journey with its downloadable maps for all countries and all cities in the whole world. Maps.me is Totally Free and Offline.
Maps.me was released in 2011 and was named MapsWithMe. With several developments in the app, it has become an open-source mobile application available for Android, iOS, Blackberry, and Huawei users. Maps.me provides offline maps using OpenStreetMap data. If you’re not familiar with OpenStreetMap, it basically means that the content of this app is given entirely by users.
Unique Features
Ads provide compensation for free map apps. Therefore, you can use them offline. Expect to have limited access to information because nothing is free in this world. But not with Maps.me because the downloaded and free maps contain Detailed Information on traffic, roads, paths, trails, locations, camping sites, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and cafes with appropriate labels for easy tracking.
Also, the Offline Search of this map app is fantastic. You can search by name, address, categories, or coordinates offline! You can also save your favorite sites with the Bookmark feature of this app for future reference and for sharing with friends later.
Reviews and Testimonials
Maps.me records 60 Million Users, 140 Downloads, and has an average rating of 4.8 which is just 0.2 points away from perfection. Users describe Maps.me as efficient, useful, very good, clear, detailed, great when traveling abroad, and highly accessible.
Downside
Maps.me is open-source and and uses OpenStreetMap data which means that the information in the app is supplied by the community. If you used this app and want to change the map you can freely do so, which makes the app vulnerable to data manipulation or tampering.
Although the community is a reliable and credible source because they themselves experienced the roads and different sites but because it’s open, fake sources and biased contributors can easily intrude.
2. Gaia GPS
Overlanding trips mean going to remote and uninhabited places to enjoy solitude with the beautiful sceneries in front of you. An open-source map is not much of help to overlanders because few embark on remote areas, so you would find little data on them. This is why some overlanders choose Gaia GPS even if the premium subscription costs a fee, mainly because it’s worth it.
About the App
Find your adventure and Gaia GPS will guide you there. Just a little bit of background, Gaia is the Greek goddess of the earth. With that, you can already tell that this app is superior and is really knowledgeable in everything on land, routes, hills, mountains, landscapes, deserts, rough roads, etc.
Gaia GPS is a navigation app launched in 2019 that has over 100 maps designed according to what adventure you want to explore. Gaia GPS has partnered up with Indigenous Women Outdoors, She Jumps, Mazams, Off Grid Trailers, and Outdoor Afro to provide reliable content to its users. To know more about Gaia GPS you can visit their website at GaiaGPS.com.
Unique Features
Gaia GPS is known for having a map for a particular adventure. They have a map for you if you want to try hiking and backpacking, offroad, hunting, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, or even fishing. This is very appealing to overlanders since most of the maps available are of general use.
If you want to go for adventures and practically live on the road, you would want a navigation app that is made especially for Overlanding. This way, you get information that is relevant to you. For overlanding, the app includes weather forecasts, public land data, camping sites, and off-roading routes.
Reviews and Testimonials
iOS users rate Gaia GPS with 4.8 stars while Android users rate Gaia GPS with 4.5 stars. Users say that the app is a lifesaver, excellent, worth the money, totally recommended, best GPS, hands down, legit, and a great tool. Most of them say that they love the navigation app.
Downside
The only downside of Gaia GPS is that you need to have a premium subscription to use the app offline because the download feature is only available for premium users. Gaia GPS offers a free subscription but it would only work for casual day hikers. To access maps for Overlanding you have to be a premium member and that includes payment.
3. OnX Offroad App
OnX tells you to go further with confidence. The worry of getting lost and stranded in the middle of nowhere is a real struggle for every overlander. A navigation app alone can simply erase that worry and give them peace of mind knowing that the map will know the way.
About the App
The onX application is originally founded by Eric Siegfried in 2009 to navigate hunters in the wild and help them see public land boundaries. Today onX caters not only to hunters but to all explorers in their outdoors journey.
OnX Offroad promises to help you get the adventure you long crave in your Overlanding trip with its detailed satellite imagery and accurate topo maps. The map will show you which trails and roads are open and legal to overland vehicles. The details in the map include closure dates and descriptions of trails.
Unique Features
The app is easy to navigate and has a great interface. Trails displayed on the map are color-coded to guide you on which trails are temporarily closed and which ones are open for riding. There are featured trails with further details about the trail such as difficulty and photos.
The app can also show you public land and territory boundaries which is very helpful for Overlanding since you travel to places you are unfamiliar with. They offer unlimited offline maps you can view even when there is no cell service.
Reviews and Testimonials
OnX has a rating of 4.7 in the Apple store and 4.3 in Google Play. Users commend its great customer service for they are very responsive to queries and problems encountered in the app. Also, when you visit their website, at OnXMaps.com, you’ll find lots of information about the application i.e how it came about, about the founder, and his advocacy on public access to land which mainly inspired the development of the app.
Downside
The OnX Offroad app offers a 7-day trial but after that, you have to pay a subscription fee to continue enjoying the features of the application.
What Are The Best Overlanding Map Apps?
Maps are built to navigate and every map has that capability. They are effective in guiding you where to go. However, in Overlanding, you will have needs different from hikers i.e camping sites and open roads. A navigation app specially made for Overlanding is the perfect tool to guide you in your journey and Gaia GPS is that app.
