Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Ride with GPS vs Google Maps

Ride with GPS 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Ride with GPS
Google Maps 4.7★ · Free to download 60

Ride with GPS is the superior choice for dedicated cyclists seeking detailed route planning and navigation, while Google Maps remains a general-purpose navigation tool with broader utility but lacks specialized cycling features.

Full reviews: Ride with GPS · Google Maps

Ride with GPS excels in specialized cycling features like route planning and turn-by-turn navigation, despite some user interface and syncing issues. Google Maps, while widely used, struggles with accuracy, glitches, and a lack of specific features for cyclists.

Head to head

Features edge: Ride with GPSR17R20R23R24
Ride with GPS Ride with GPS is praised for its robust route planning, mapping, and navigation tools, particularly for gravel and outdoor riding, with some users calling it the 'best routing software on the planet' R23. It offers audible directions and preloaded trails for an enjoyable experience R17. However, some users find the 'Explore' function for finding nearby routes to be awful R24, and there are complaints about the app not allowing certain access points in routes R20. Some features, like navigation or planning, are locked behind a subscription R34.
Google Maps Google Maps is appreciated for its satellite view during navigation and general usefulness . However, users report a loss of features, such as the ability to search by a location they are not physically at , and the inability to get directions for multiple locations via metro . Some find the app's suggestions untrustworthy, leading to illegal turns or non-existent roads R69.
Ease of Use tieR4R8R13R17
Ride with GPS Ride with GPS is described as easy to use by some, especially for finding and following preloaded trails R17. However, many users find the app clunky, not intuitive, and confusing, particularly for ending a ride or managing subscriptions R4R8R13. The mobile app is considered worse than the laptop version , and the route planner can be unintuitive .
Google Maps Google Maps is generally considered convenient and easy to navigate . However, recent updates have made the app less intuitive, with hidden addresses R63 and changes to the camera angle . Some users find the interface 'dog UI' and frustrating when it doesn't automatically paste copied addresses .
Reliability edge: Ride with GPSR1R3R7R9
Ride with GPS Ride with GPS is praised for reliably tracking rides and providing good turn-by-turn instructions R24. However, users frequently report issues such as the app failing to record heart rate data R3, not saving ride progress R1, and not syncing with devices like Wahoo or Garmin R7R21. The app is also criticized for sending users in the wrong direction on complex routes R9 and for being slow or crashing, especially with longer routes .
Google Maps Google Maps is generally considered reliable by some . However, many recent reviews highlight significant reliability issues, including glitches, freezing, and crashing, particularly after updates . Users report inaccurate dropped pins , incorrect speed limit detections , and navigation that routes through road closures or suggests illegal U-turns R76.
Price/Value edge: Google MapsR6R25R28R34
Ride with GPS Ride with GPS offers a free tier, but many core navigation and planning features are locked behind a subscription R34. Users feel the cost is high for the features provided R6R25. Some were charged immediately despite a promised free trial .
Google Maps Google Maps is free to download and generally free to use, though some users express frustration with its performance and feature loss, implying a decrease in value despite being free .
Support edge: Ride with GPSR4R23R62R63
Ride with GPS Ride with GPS receives positive feedback for its customer service, with users reporting that support staff respond and help solve problems R23. However, some users complain about bad account support and the inability to manage subscriptions within the app R4.
Google Maps Google Maps reviews do not frequently mention direct customer support experiences. Instead, many reviews act as feedback to developers regarding bugs and feature requests R63R76. There are some positive mentions of customer service, but these appear to be for specific businesses found via Google Maps, not the app itself R62.
Pick Ride with GPS if

You are a serious cyclist or adventurer looking for detailed route planning, mapping, and navigation tools, especially for gravel or complex routes R23. You prioritize specialized cycling features and are willing to pay for a subscription for an enhanced experience .

Pick Google Maps if

You need a general-purpose navigation app for driving, walking, or public transport . You prefer a free app and are less concerned with specialized cycling features or occasional glitches .

Evidence note: Many Google Maps reviews are not directly about the app's navigation features but rather about businesses found through the app, which skews the perception of its core functionality. Ride with GPS reviews are more focused on the app's performance as a cycling tool.

Frequently asked

Is Ride with GPS good for off-road cycling?
Ride with GPS is generally considered good for planning and navigating outdoor and gravel routes, with users finding its tools far better than alternatives for real outdoor riding R23R26. However, some users caution about off-road routes, noting that posted routes may not be valid or show hazards without a subscription R16.
Does Ride with GPS sync with other devices?
Ride with GPS has reported issues with syncing with devices like Wahoo Elemnt and Garmin, with users experiencing loops and difficulty sending routes R7R21. There are also complaints about the app not sending workout routes to Apple Health R39.
Are there issues with Google Maps' accuracy?
Yes, Google Maps has received complaints about its accuracy, with users reporting that it suggests illegal turns, non-existent roads, and routes through road closures R69R76. Some also note that the app's maps are stale and not updated for developing areas R84.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R17] Ride with GPS 5/5 · US Make the ride more enjoyable!: Using this app made our bike ride in Acadia more enjoyable. Easy to use with preloaded trails and audible directions so no stopping to read paper map.
  2. [R20] Ride with GPS 4/5 · US Nice for sharing routes, but editing is a pain: I love finding local routes and being able to turn rides into routes, but it has some weird quirks. The most irritating to me is that it won’t allow one of the parking lot trail access points in my routes, even though I recorded riding through it. It totally mangles that part of the route if I try to include it. Fix that and I’ll give 5 stars.
  3. [R23] Ride with GPS 5/5 · US Way better than Strava: Ride with GPS has been excellent. The route planning, mapping, and navigation tools are far better than what I’ve been able to do with Strava, especially for real outdoor riding, gravel routes, and planning bigger rides. The customer service has also been great. They actually respond and help solve problems, which makes a big difference. Dylan’s tutorials are excellent too
  4. [R24] Ride with GPS 3/5 · GB Could be excellent but has fundamental flaws: In general, and for very simple actions, this is a good app. It reliably tracks rides and provides good turn-by-turn route following instructions. BUT it has one major flaw, which renders it pretty much useless in my book. The problem lies in the ‘Explore’ function, where you search for nearby routes. This feature is downright awful. Let’s say you a
  5. [R4] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US Bad Account Support: There is no way to manage your subscription using the app
  6. [R8] Ride with GPS 4/5 · US Lousy instructions: You people need serious help with intuitiveness
  7. [R13] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US Confusing: Confusing to end a ride even for my tech savvy son. If it starts OUT that way what other frustrating stuff have your IT folks put in it?
  8. [R1] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US well - its not good: The app does not save my progress and I fear it will bill me even though I did not intend to give it that permission. Having trouble deleting my account now.
  9. [R3] Ride with GPS 3/5 · US Frequent Apple Watch issues: The app frequently failed to record heart rate data from my watch. This has been an ongoing issue for over a year..
  10. [R7] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US Doesn’t actually sync with Wahoo: Doesn’t sync with My Elemnt. Keeps putting me in a loop appwise despite my signing up for a membership. Then online my membership is not showing. Terrible. PS my device DID ack connect new app RWGPS and STILL could not send route to device. WTF. Now I have to download GPX. What friggin year is this, 1999?
  11. [R9] Ride with GPS 3/5 · US Should have more Intelligence: Ride With GPS is my go to app for bike ride navigation. Generally works well. But it will send you in the wrong direction on a figure 8 course. The app doesn’t have built in intelligence to understand whether you are coming or going and it will send you on the return leg rather than sending you in the mapped ride direction. This should be an easy fix but this bug has
  12. [R6] Ride with GPS 3/5 · US Needs Update: The Home Screen looks like it was designed a decade ago. The cost seems high for the features provided
  13. [R25] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US Ouch $$$$$: Too expensive for me
  14. [R28] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US Terrible UX: I hate that this app is a necessary evil. The UX is terrible. Dark patterns where you go to do something and find out you have to upgrade to get it.
  15. [R34] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US Can’t navigate: Have always been able to follow navigation without having to pay. Got started on a sponsored race and found out I had to pay in order to use the navigation. This put me at risk and in danger in the middle of a ride to have to try to figure out how to pay or get lost or worse.
  16. [R62] Google Maps 5/5 · US ‘Shan’ of Luxury Tours: Excellent in meeting/assisting tourists in Singapore. He is very accommodating and easy to approach. He is compassionate and understands us well as travelers. You deserve a 5 star rating. You’re awesome Shan👍😃 Thanks a lot for making our Singapore trip very enjoyable and memorable 👍 Good bless you.
  17. [R63] Google Maps 3/5 · US Bring back featuring the address on top: I love this app, I’ve used it for years. The only reason I’m writing a review now is because with the new update, they’ve hidden the address below and you have to scroll and search for it. I now have to search for it. I have friends who don’t use this app. “Sharing the location” doesn’t work if you don’t have the app. Stop making me search and lift up rocks
  18. [R16] Ride with GPS 1/5 · US USE CAUTION on off-road routes!: Just because a route is posted, doesn’t mean it is a valid route. Route hazards, water access, and trail conditions may not be visible unless you pay for a subscription. Routes posted without reviews or comments should be avoided.
  19. [R26] Ride with GPS 5/5 · US So good: Wouldn’t leave my house with making a quick and easy route that avoids traffic and google map errors. Always make it an adventure taking the gravel and back alley routes.
  20. [R21] Ride with GPS 3/5 · GB Garmin: Finding it hard to sync with Garmin devices. When it does sync, the route is pretty extraordinary and I spend most of my time “off course”. This could be as much a problem with Garmin but it should be easier.
  21. [R39] Ride with GPS 3/5 · GB Workout route maps are not sync’d to Apple: Actually I think this is the only app that doesn't send the route to Apple Health so I cannot think why they excluded this functionality. Otherwise nearly great.
  22. [R69] Google Maps 3/5 · US untrustworthy: After all these years, still suggests illegal turns and nonexistent roads…
  23. [R76] Google Maps 1/5 · US Somehow gets worse each year: Even with all the feedback I give, the navigation keeps getting worse with: - dangerous right turns immediately after highway exits - not showing highway exit numbers - routing through road closures that have already been 'accepted' as a valid change
  24. [R84] Google Maps 3/5 · US App is getting better but could improve: I like the accuracy and that they have their own reviews u like Apple Maps. The routes needs to be updated more especially for developing areas. In my area it’s already changed over the past 5 years but google is still using stale maps.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store