Maps.me App Review: Is It the Best Offline GPS for Rural Travel in 2025?

Have you ever driven through the countryside or hiked a remote trail, only to lose mobile signal and get stuck without a working map? You’re not alone.

A report from The Guardian highlights that only 69% of rural areas in the UK have reliable 4G coverage. This leaves travelers vulnerable to getting lost or wasting hours navigating unfamiliar terrain without internet access.

Whether you’re an off-grid adventurer or a driver passing through rural zones, relying on online maps can leave you stranded. That’s where offline GPS apps like Maps.me come in—helping you explore confidently, even without a mobile signal.

In this review, you’ll learn everything about Maps.me, from its offline capabilities to its real-world performance in rural areas.

What is Maps.me?

Maps.me is a free offline GPS navigation app designed for travelers who frequently explore areas with limited or no internet access. Built on OpenStreetMap data, it allows users to download entire regions or countries for offline use, making it a dependable choice for rural travel, hiking, or remote adventures.

Unlike typical navigation apps that rely on a constant mobile signal, Maps.me works fully offline after downloading your selected maps. It offers navigation modes for driving, walking, and cycling, making it suitable for a wide variety of travelers — from road trippers to hikers navigating rural trails.

Maps.me has been downloaded by millions of users globally and is trusted for its simple offline setup, fast map loading, and detailed topographic data.

Features of Maps.me

Maps.me is packed with offline-focused tools designed for rural and remote travel. Whether you’re driving through the countryside or trekking deep into the woods, these features ensure you won’t get lost when mobile data fails.

1. Offline Maps for Entire Regions: Download maps for entire countries or cities and access them offline, giving rural travelers dependable navigation even in locations where mobile networks are weak or nonexistent.
2. Turn-by-Turn Offline Navigation: Offers offline voice-guided navigation for driving, cycling, or walking, ensuring you stay on track when exploring isolated routes without internet access or mobile signals.
3. Offline Search for POIs: Search for offline points of interest like gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, or hotels, helping rural travelers find key services even when fully disconnected from the internet.
4. Custom Route Planning: Build and save custom multi-stop routes offline, which is especially useful for travelers needing to navigate complex rural journeys or plan long-distance trips across backroads.
5. OpenStreetMap-Based Data: Leverages frequently updated OpenStreetMap community data to display remote trails, rural roads, and off-grid areas, making it a reliable choice for outdoor or off-road navigation.
6. Category Search Functionality: Lets you easily browse and set custom categories such as hotels, petrol stations, ATMs, and more on the map for faster access.
7. Distance Measurement Tool: Offers a built-in ruler feature to measure the exact distance between multiple points directly on the map for precise trip planning.

Pros and Cons

Maps.me delivers several advantages for travelers venturing into rural or remote regions, but it also comes with a few trade-offs compared to premium GPS tools.

Pros

• Fully offline navigation makes it highly reliable in areas with no internet coverage.
• Free to use with no mandatory subscription required for offline features.
• Supports walking, cycling, and driving modes for rural and outdoor activities.
• Lightweight app that runs smoothly on most Android and iOS devices.
• Simple interface that makes offline setup and navigation fast and beginner-friendly.

Cons

• Limited advanced navigation features like lane assist or speed limit alerts.
• Less suited for complex multi-stop route optimization compared to paid apps.
• Offline POI database is smaller than apps like Sygic or Gaia GPS.

Pricing & Plans

Maps.me offers a tiered pricing structure based on user needs, combining offline GPS functionality with a built-in financial wallet.

• Free Plan (Standard Access):
  Users can access core offline navigation features like map downloads, turn-by-turn navigation, and offline search without paying. However, additional wallet services such as digital card issuance and certain transactions come with standard fees.
• Happy Camper Plan ($36/year):
  This plan includes extra wallet benefits such as waived fees for issuing your first digital card and discounted rates on transactions like currency conversion or crypto exchanges, in addition to all free navigation features.
• Digital Nomad Plan ($150/year):
  Designed for more frequent travelers or digital nomads, this tier reduces wallet service fees further and waives costs on both digital and physical card issuance (where available), while retaining full offline map functionality.
• High Flyer Plan ($360/year):
  The most premium option offers the lowest wallet service fees and maximized benefits across card services, currency exchanges, and ATM withdrawals, making it ideal for heavy users who also rely on Maps.me for financial transactions while traveling.

Note: The navigation features like offline maps and route planning are accessible on the free tier, while the premium tiers mostly unlock financial and wallet-related perks.

User Reviews & Ratings

Overall Rating: Maps.me has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on the Google Play Store, based on over 1.2 million reviews, indicating strong user satisfaction.

Positive Feedback: Users appreciate Maps.me for its reliable offline functionality, especially in areas with limited or no internet access. Travelers often highlight the app’s detailed maps and ease of use, making it a dependable companion for navigating unfamiliar territories.

Constructive Criticism: Some long-term users have noted that recent updates have introduced performance issues, such as slower map rendering and occasional crashes.

Additionally, the inclusion of ads in the free version has been a point of contention for some users.

Alternatives to Maps.me

• OsmAnd Maps & Navigation: A powerful offline GPS app with extensive topographic data, offline contour lines, and hiking trails.
• Sygic GPS Navigation: Offers premium offline navigation with advanced features like lane assist, speed limit warnings, and real-time traffic updates when connected.
• HERE WeGo: A user-friendly offline navigation app with support for driving, walking, and public transport routes.
• Locus Map: Tailored for outdoor enthusiasts, offering offline topographic maps, GPX imports, and custom map layers.

Final Verdict

Maps.me stands out as a dependable offline GPS app for rural and remote navigation, especially for budget-conscious travelers who need free access to offline maps and voice-guided navigation.

Its simple setup, offline point-of-interest search, and OpenStreetMap data make it a strong option for countryside drivers, hikers, and adventurers venturing off the grid. While the free version is highly functional, the presence of ads and occasional performance lags could be drawbacks for some users.

Maps.me is ideal for travelers who want easy offline navigation without paying for a premium app.

Looking for more offline navigation tools?
Explore our full guide on the Top 10 Offline GPS Apps for Rural and Remote Areas to compare Maps.me with other trusted options.

FAQ About Maps.me

1. Does Maps.me work fully offline?
Yes, once you download your desired maps, Maps.me provides full offline navigation, offline POI search, and route planning without needing mobile data.

2. Is Maps.me really free?
Yes, Maps.me offers a free version with offline maps and navigation. However, a premium version removes ads and unlocks extra features such as unlimited bookmarks.

3. Can Maps.me be used for hiking in rural areas?
Yes, Maps.me includes hiking trails and rural paths sourced from OpenStreetMap, making it a good option for outdoor activities like hiking or cycling.

4. Is Maps.me available for both Android and iOS?
Yes, Maps.me is available on both Android and iOS platforms and supports full offline use on both systems.

5. How does Maps.me compare to Google Maps offline mode?
Maps.me offers broader offline coverage with POI search and route planning, while Google Maps’ offline mode is more limited to basic navigation and fewer offline features.