7 Free and Inexpensive Apps that Turn Your Smartphone into a GPS for Mountain Biking

Ride With GPS (free) Ride with GPS is designed specifically for cycling so it features everything you would expect from a basic cycling GPS unit, plus more. In addition to speed, distance, and elevation data, the app allows you to tag photos during the ride. There’s a map showing where you are and where you’ve …

By Jeff Barber
December 15, 2016 Last Updated: August 5, 2024

13 comments

Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.

Ride With GPS (free)

Ride with GPS is designed specifically for cycling so it features everything you would expect from a basic cycling GPS unit, plus more. In addition to speed, distance, and elevation data, the app allows you to tag photos during the ride. There’s a map showing where you are and where you’ve been, while offline maps and live ride tracking are available as a paid upgrade ($79.99 per year).

Ride data is stored in the app and is also accessible on the Ride with GPS website, where you can download ride data in GPX or TCX format for use with other online services. Fitness tracking doesn’t seem to be a focus with this app, though it does include audio alerts and cues that minimize the need to look at the screen during your ride.

Use this if: You need a simple app to track GPS data. Adding a subscription gets the app close to the feature set found in expensive GPS units, but it’s nearly as pricey as a GPS unit if you plan to use it for many years.

Mountain Bike Trails

Support Your Local Trails with Singletracks and Trail Care

Culture

Singletracks iPhone App Update

Culture

Android App + Trail Progress Bars

Electronics

Hold the Phone! Peak Design Everyday Case and Bike Mount Review

13 Comments

Please log in or create a free account to join the discussion.

djcmmoore Tennessee // 2014
Dec 15, 2016

AllTrails is my second most used GPS, Tracking and trail app in addition to Strava. I really like the way it maps a ride and tracks where you are in real time. Many times in the woods when I am lost or wondering which way to go, I just look at the map and it shows where I currently am on the trail and all the different trails along my ride. Makes it easy to choose the right turnoff in the middle of a wilderness.

I think this is tied in with Singletracks. I have tried many different apps and keep coming back to AllTrails, it along with Singletracks and Mountain Bike Project are the best for finding new trails to ride. Doing a lot of travelling I always have my bike. When there is time, I open these apps and find trails near me to ride with directions to the trail head.

Great stuff!

Happy Trails and Merry Christmas

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Dec 15, 2016

Thanks for the Singletracks mention. I don't really consider our app to be a GPS replacement since it doesn't track speed or distance or anything like that--it's meant to be more of a map substitute than a GPS competitor.

Cheers!

Roberto Bernal 2017
Aug 2, 2017

Deberias probar y analizar una app llamada oruxmaps, es sencillamente la app definitiva para cualquer actividad deportiva, es increible!!!!

streakie United Kingdom // 2015
Dec 26, 2016

Downloaded this app,
Chose method of login
App wold not open for use until I allowed screen overlay, which was already enabled
Then it wanted contacts permission, which were allowed,
App then went back to overlay message requiring enabled, which was enabled
And asked for contacts permission which was again allowed,
And repeat,,,,
So I uninstalled it, as if this cant work I cant use the app

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Dec 27, 2016

Which app are you talking about?

Bruno Marques 2019
May 1, 2019

For use as a trail guide there a some very good apps like View Ranger, MyTrails, Gps viewer and Komoot, this last one is amazing for planning a gps track

j.hanners Virginia // 2016
Dec 15, 2016

I have had Cyclemeter for a couple of years. Inexpensive app that tracks my ride, stopped time and ride time calculated, elevation ascent and decent, avg. speed, split times with map of the ride, graphs of ride and more that I don't use. It will email to address chosen as soon as completed. I email myself to pull up on my computer thru a link to your specific ride but could email someone I know who may compete with me on a given ride at a different time. I enjoy this app.as it shows a map of my ride broken into miles. It also will work for running, walking etc.It does not find or show though, it just maps what was rode anywhere.

JOEKADZBAN Michigan // 2016
Dec 15, 2016

I've been using endomondo for four years. Being familiar with it, I have also gotten attached to it. It has all the bells and whistles and has a neat history function as well. And it can be connected to a host of other sensors for heart rate, etc...
Give it a try. I think you'll like it too!

Yes, I should have included Endomondo! This app seems to be one of the most popular among Android users. Looks like there is now an iPhone version of the app as well.

Big ragu Arizona // 2015
Dec 19, 2016

Runkeeper pairs with a heart rate monitor. I do it regularly. I have a Samsung 6 edge and use a Wahoo chest strap to connect via Bluetooth. Works very well and will show your heart rate at any given spot on the mapped ride, etc.

GTXC4 Louisiana // 2011
May 21, 2017

Runtastic Mountain Bike Pro has outperformed Map My Ride everytime. I run them both and Runtastic will track very well out in remote areas, like out in Moab and surrounding areas, you know places where you're away from towers. Since Under Armor took Map My Ride, I've found it to be more intermittent and less reliable with each update. Just mine experience there. Take care.

-GT

Erik Hillard 2016
Dec 15, 2016

Will Runtastic work correctly in Airplane Mode?

It may - I know Endomondo does, because it uses GPS and not cell data to compute. Go give it a ride and find out!

Ride With GPS (free)

Featured Articles

13 Comments