Best Cycling Apps

Updated:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.


Sharing is caring!

This is a review of the best cycling apps for 2024.

When cycling you generally have two options for navigation and cycling information. One is to use a GPS Bike Computer, the other is to use a smartphone cycling app.

I’ve cycled thousands of miles around the world in recent years and had the chance to try many cycling apps. I’ve used cycling navigation apps, cycling weather apps, cycling fitness apps, and apps that help find a place to stay or help with translation.

Let’s take a look at the best cycling apps 2024 that you need for your smartphone right now. I also included several bike touring apps and Bikepacking apps for those who like to cycle long distances or overseas.


Best Apps for Cycling

The Best Apps for Cycling are:

Best Cycling App – Overall

Ride with GPS

Ride with GPS

Pros:
> Record anywhere in the world
> You can download routes ready
> Turn by turn directions as you go
> Available on iOS and Android
> Includes detailed elevation data
Cons:
> It’s not very good for routing on canals

With this app you can record your cycle rides anywhere in the world – and you can even do it without a data connection because it only needs GPS.

If you know you’re going to be offline, you can download routes ready beforehand, and you get spoken turn-by-turn directions as you cycle.

It also includes detailed elevation data, so you are forewarned before you have to start any steep ascents. And the maps let you zoom in and pan out as needed.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Best Turn by Turn Cycling App

Google Maps

Google Maps

Pros:
> Most popular and best known navigation app
> Gives you clear, real-time directions
> Includes data on nearby amenities
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> Sometimes the app recommends longer routes when shorter ones are available

Any cycling app shortlist would be amiss without the inclusion of the world’s best known map app. 


With over 220 countries and territories accurately mapped out for you, you can identify where you are, wherever you happen to be in the world.

And it can even give you clear real-time directions to your destination.

But perhaps the best feature of Google Maps is how it can bring up much more data than mere location. You can use it to find somewhere to grab a bite to eat, or find public amenities, the nearest hospitals, and so on.

Super handy. Available for both iOS and Android.

Best Offline Cycling Maps

Pocket Earth Pro

Pocket Earth Pro

Pros:
> Detailed worldwide topographic maps
> It also works offline, which is very handy
> It offers flexible routing if you take a detour
> You can get voice directions out loud
> It also features detailed travel guides
Cons:
> Not available on Android smartphones

Here’s another great map app. And not only does it provide detailed worldwide topographic maps, but it also works offline, so you don’t need to run up any data roaming charges.

It offers flexible routing, which is perfect if you need to make a detour. And you can get voice directions, so you can keep looking where you’re going rather than be transfixed by your phone.

It also features detailed travel guides, and provides you with all manner of points of interest.
Available on iOS only.

Best Wind Direction App for Cycling

Windy

Windy

Pros:
> Provides information on weather
> Includes data on wind strength
> Available for iOS and Android
Cons:
> The user interface is a little cluttered

All seasoned cyclists appreciate the value of being well-prepared for a good stint on the bicycle. And this means knowing what kind of weather conditions to expect.

Most of us are pretty much there when it comes to preparing for cycling in the rain, but where this weather app from the World Meteorological organization really stands out is in the details it can provide, including just how strong the winds are.

And this is important because it indicates how difficult it may become to keep your balance while riding.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Best Campsite planning App for Bike Touring

iOverlander

iOverlander

Pros:
> Great for remote area campsite locations and planning
> Map provides nearby amenities
> Points of interest, with reviews
> Available on iOS and Android
Cons:
> The app can be a little slow at times

Now, this is a map app with a difference. Not only can you view nearby amenities and points of interest when you’re visiting somewhere new, but you can also bring up descriptions of these points of interest.

And better yet, you can also read reviews of these points of interest, too. This is great for checking whether such a place meets your needs before you spend time trying to get there.

And if you really love or hate such a place, you can leave your own review, too.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Best Bike Touring Hosting App

Warmshowers

Warmshowers

Pros:
> Points out accommodation spots on a map
> You can contact accommodation hosts
> You can access host information offline
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> Designed better for travelers rather than for hosts

Whenever you’re far away from home, you’re always in need of somewhere to spend the night. And this is where the Warmshowers app comes in handy.

The app will bring up a map of the area you are in, and it marks out various places for accommodation, and it even allows you to contact the accommodation hosts directly through the app.

And you don’t have to worry about being in an area of poor connectivity, because you can also access host information when you are offline.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Map My Ride

Map My Ride

Pros:
> It gives you a map with distances
> Provides data on elevation and speed
> Syncs easily with devices, e.g your smartwatch
> You can share your route on social media
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> You can’t edit the work out, for example to stop the the timer when you stop for water

Now, this is a map app that is specifically designed with cyclists in mind. Not only does it give you a map of your cycling route and your distance travelled, but it also provides data on your elevation and speed. 

But where this map app really stands out against the others is how it syncs with most wearable devices such as smartwatches, including the likes of Google Fit, Android Wear, Garmin, Fitbit, Suunto, and more.

You can also share your data on social networks, which may be reassuring for your loved ones when you’re away from them.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Maps.me

Maps.me

Pros:
> You get offline navigation via GPS
> You can bookmark location points
> Look up nearby tourist attractions
> You can use it to book nearby hotels
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> Notifications on the app can obscure the map data

This map app has some great features too. You get offline navigation via GPS, you can discover ready-made routes, or make your own bookmarks.

And you can use it to look up nearby tourist attractions, or better yet, you can even use it to book nearby hotels with discounts.

And although it doesn’t provide accurate elevation data per se, it will tell you whether a section of the route is either uphill or downhill.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Komoot

Komoot

Pros:
> Covers cycling and dirt trails too
> Maps are accessible offline
> Offers turn-by-turn navigation
> You can share your route online
> Features public transport links
> Available on iOS and Android
Cons:
> The smartwatch companion app is not very good

Now, this is a great map app for discovering the great outdoors. It doesn’t just cover roads, it covers cycling and dirt trails too.

Its maps are available to access offline, and it also offers intuitive turn-by-turn navigation.

You can log every section of your route and share it online with your friends. And it features public transport links which can come in very handy.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing

Pros:
> Great for sourcing accommodation
> You can filter the results as needed
> You can browse descriptions & references
> Contact with the hosts directly on the app
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> The app can be a little slow at times

Here’s another great app  for sourcing hosts and accommodation at a local or foreign destination. Your options are first presented to you on a map, and then you can filter the results, using filters such as gender or friends of friends etc.

 You can browse descriptions, references, and photos of your potential hosts and their accommodation beforehand, so that you can assure they meet your requirements. And you can also make contact with the hosts directly on the app.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Airbnb

Airbnb

Pros:
> Popular service around the world
> Easily find somewhere to stay the night
> You can view photos before you book
> Chat with the host directly through the app
> You can even search with flexible dates
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> Some customers were unimpressed with the app’s customer service

Google Translate

Google Translate

Pros:
> You can take a photo of text to translate
> You can record speech to translate it
> There are over 100 languages covered
> It can be used both online and offline
> You can save phrases for future reference
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> Some people have reported issues, but this appears to be infrequent

If you’re in another country, and you aren’t too comfortable with the local lingo, you don’t have to worry. With the free Google Translate app, over 100 languages are covered.

You can either type text in to translate, take a photo of text to translate, or even record speech to translate. The app will automatically detect which language is being used (and you’ll be surprised by how handy that can be). You can also save translated words and phrases for future reference.

We also love how many of the translation functions are accessible offline. 
Available for both iOS and Android.

XE Currency Checker

XE Currency Checker

Pros:
> Send money anywhere in the world
> You can use a currency converter
> You can view currency charts
> Receive currency rate alerts
> Available on iOS and Android
Cons:
> There’s no offline mode

Wherever you happen to be in the world, you’re going to need money. And if you’re in an unfamiliar country, you may not be clued-up on how much a price tag works out in dollars.

But with this app, you don’t have to worry. You can send money anywhere in the world, use a currency converter, view currency charts and receive currency rate alerts.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Trailforks

Trailforks

Pros:
> Access trail maps in your home region for free
> Upgrade to the Pro version for worldwide maps
> Details include points of interest and trail conditions
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> There are a lot of negative customer reviews for this app

The Trailforks app is all about the trails, and is exactly what a cyclist needs. You can access maps in your home region for free forever, but if you want to go further afield, we would recommend that you upgrade to the Pro version for unlimited access to worldwide trail maps.

You can navigate and track your ride, and it brings up details such as a topographic layer, points of interest, trail popularity, and trail conditions. Super handy.

Available for both iOS and Android.

Alltrails

Alltrails

Pros:
> App has over 200,000 curated trails
> All the trails are verified and reviewed
> You can upgrade to Pro for offline maps
> Available for both iOS and Android
Cons:
> Some users feel the money to upgrade to the Pro version isn’t worth it

This excellent map app features over 200,000 curated trails, including both road biking and mountain biking trails. All the trails are verified by Alltrails’ experts and are reviewed by members of the Alltrails global community.

All your elevation changes are noted, and you can use the app to log all of your travels. If you want to be able to access the maps offline, you will need to upgrade to the Pro version.

Available for both iOS and Android.


Wrap Up

So as you can see, there are several great map apps out there to take advantage of. And with these other apps to hand, you can confidently go cycling in any country of your choosing, checking the currency, and weather conditions, and finding a handy place to stop for the night. Enjoy!

BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process

The author, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small independent adventurer and outdoor gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.

BikeHikeSafari is not part of a large blog network and is proudly independent. All reviews on this site are independent and honest gear reviews of outdoor products by the author.

The author, Brad McCartney is a very experienced triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read more). He was a manager of an outdoor retail store and is very experienced in what is important when using and testing gear for reviews like this.

BikeHikeSafari will never receive any money for reviews and they do not accept sponsored reviews on this website. All the comments about the gear reviews are from the author based on his years of experience. Hope this independent review was helpful for you.

Sharing is caring!

Photo of author
About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

Download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Add your name and email to download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.