Currently all of us who have the Android Auto system in our car, fortunately have enough options to choose the GPS navigator. We are going to review some of the best apps of this type that we have at our disposal right now.
Today there are many vehicles that are marketed with a built- in GPS navigation system, something that may be good news at first, but has some drawbacks.
The main issue is that of updates, which during the first years is not a problem at all, since they usually offer 2 or 3 years free with the purchase of the car, but once this free period has elapsed, the situation is no longer clear.
There are cases in which the update is extremely expensive and it is not worth paying for it, others in which we manage to update one or two more years and suddenly they stop incorporating new maps, in addition to those occasions in which the maps may be updated, but for radar information you have to pay.
In case something like what we’ve just told you happens, because your car doesn’t come with any browser natively or simply because your car’s GPS system doesn’t quite convince you, as long as it’s compatible with Android Auto, you can install a new app navigation of all the options that are there right now.
Let’s see which ones work best.
Google Maps
Undoubtedly, it had to be the first one we talked about, since we can call it the native of Google and the one that will always be in Android Auto.
Google Maps came to the first cars in 2015 and for a long time it was the only browser that was allowed, until Google already gave permission for other third-party browsers to work as well.
The power of Google Maps is undeniable, since not only in relation to the route does it have many possibilities and it is very well done, but the address and point of interest search engine is really impressive.
Your maps receive daily updates, as well as speed cameras and traffic alerts are in real time. To which we must add that it is totally free.
Waze
Although in its beginnings Waze was an independent browser, the truth is that when Google realized its capacity, it bought it, although it kept it independent, something that we believe was a success.
In 2018 it became the second GPS to work on Android Auto. It is one of the most used for many things such as its way of signaling, how well it works, the signaling of fixed speed cameras and points of interest, as well as being totally free.
Keep in mind that it is 100% online, which means that you need to have an Internet connection to work.
TomTom AmiGO
Before becoming TomTom AmiGO it was TomTom’s speed camera app, to become TomTom Go Navigation’s little brother, free and reduced.
It’s been released recently and already works on Android Auto, which is great news as it comes with TomTom maps and that’s always a guarantee.
Despite being, as we said before, a reduced version, the truth is that we have everything, from warning of fixed and possible mobile speed cameras, speed limits, automatic route recalculation or signaling of points of interest, among other things. Finally, inform you that it is absolutely dependent on the Internet connection.
TomTom Go Navigation
TomTom Go Navigation is the most famous app, with the permission of Google Maps, for navigation, with the exception that in order to use it you have to be subscribed, so we are not talking about a free application.
They give you a 30-day trial, but then you will have to pay and it has several modalities:
- 1 mes : 1.99 dollars.
- 6 months : 8.99 dollars.
- 1 year : 12.99 dollars.
We will be able to function without having Internet, since the maps are downloaded to the smartphone, but as is normal, by having a connection we will have all the services in real time operative.
It is an extremely complete application as it could not be less.
Sygic GPS Navigation
In March 2021 it was already integrated to work on Android Auto, although only for users who are premium, so it is not a free app, although they do leave a few days of trial when you install it, specifically 7.
Sygic is one of the best browsers out there right now for Android Auto, one of the best performing and most complete, even though you have to pay, for example, 19.99 dollars to have an annual subscription.
We have everything we can expect such as radars, points of interest, speed limit warnings, reprogrammable routes, all kinds of configurations for the route and you can even attach a kind of Dash Display to reflect on the front glass of the car, although it is a service for which you have to pay separately.
MapFactor Navigation
This is one of those browsers that, as time goes by, becomes more popular and more people choose to put it in their car.
MapFactor Navigation carries the free OpenStreetMaps maps, although it allows us to be able to buy TomTom ‘s within the app in case we think that those will be more complete, something that is the case.
It is quite complete and with each update everything is better structured, with better graphics and a better interface.
In addition, it has everything necessary to make it our usual browser, since it indicates speed limits, points of interest, radar warnings and the maps are downloaded to the smartphone, so it is not dependent on the Internet.
Gaia GPS
It is a little known browser and not exactly the same as the ones we have seen so far.
Gaia GPS is geared towards those who want to do routes on roads, trails or dirt areas with their off-road vehicle, although it also includes roads. Worse in that sense it has no rival, since it can take us along routes that none of the previous ones even contemplate.
The interface may be better and it may not be the most beautiful of all, but for its purpose it is the best and on top of that it is compatible with Android Auto, so little more can be asked of it.
These are the GPS navigators that currently work best on Android Auto. Of course, everything will go further, not only the GPS programs, but the applications compatible with this system for the Android vehicle will increase over the months.