Best Navigation Apps for Windows 10

The Windows 10 platform offers a wide variety of apps that can help you pass the time, stay up to date with the news, check in on the weather, edit photos and more. If you need help finding your way around town, the Windows Store also has a collection of solid navigation apps.

The Windows 10 Maps app is preinstalled and a fantastic navigation option that meets most user's needs. However, if you find the Microsoft Maps app lacking, there are other options available in the Windows Store. We have scoured the Store aisles for navigation apps and these are some of the best Windows 10 navigation apps for your consideration.

MapFactor Navigator

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MapFactor GPS Navigation

MapFactor Navigator is a free, turn-by-turn navigation app that is available for Windows 10 PC and Mobile devices. The Windows 10 app uses OpenStreetMaps data with the option to purchase TomTom GPS navigation maps ($14.99 and up). Maps are available for the United States and Canada, as well as a huge collection of Countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. You can find the full listing of maps available at MapFactor Navigator's website or in the Store description.

Key features of MapFactor Navigator include:

  • Downloadable Maps
  • Unlimited number of waypoints on a route
  • Speed camera and over speed warnings
  • Navigation profiles for bus, truck, car, bicycle and pedestrians
  • Voice Guidance

MapFactor Navigator includes a large collection of points of interests that range from restaurants, gas stations, hospitals, etc. The app also includes map color themes to customize the map's appearance and several options to customize your route (allow for U-turns, allow for Ferry Boats, Toll Roads, etc.)

The voice navigation is intuitive with support for multiple languages with door to door planning. Routing does support cross-border crossing without the need to switch between country maps. An overview of upcoming maneuvers and distance is displayed on the navigation screen to help avoid surprise turns.

MapFactor Navigator may not be the most eye-catching navigation app in the Windows Store, but it does a nice job of covering the basics. The free maps provided by OpenStreetMaps are listed as potentially containing incorrect data, but in the time I used MapFactor Navigator everything seemed in order. The free maps are a good way to try out the Windows 10 app and if the need arises, you can always upgrade and buy the TomTom maps.

Download MapFactor Navigator from the Windows Store

QR: MapFactor Navigator

GPS Voice Navigation

GPS Voice Navigation

GPS Voice Navigation is a free, turn-by-turn navigation app for Windows 10 Mobile that utilizes Google Maps for your routing needs. The design of GPS Voice Navigation takes a simplistic approach with an options menu that appears over the map view.

Key features of GPS Voice Navigation include:

  • Spoken voice instructions with multi-language support
  • An easy to view dashboard to view estimated time of arrival, time and distance traveled, upcoming turns and more
  • Generate routes directly from the map by touching the point of destination

GPS Voice Navigation has a large points of interest collection that includes hotels, restaurants, gas stations and more. The app includes map layers to display points of interests, speed cameras and more from the map view, but lacks offline maps.

There is a premium version of GPS Voice Navigation that is currently priced at $6.99. The premium version includes all the features of the free version plus short and long turn-by-turn instructions, integration with Bing Maps and MapQuest, an Eco-mode and a speed camera alerts.

The Eco-mode allows GPS Voice Navigation to run in the background and conserve battery power. This can be useful on long trips where turns are spread apart over a considerable distance.

All in all, GPS Voice Navigation covers the basics of GPS navigation nicely. The app is free and available for Windows 10 Mobile.

Download GPS Voice Navigation from the Windows Store

QR: GPS Voice Navigation

NAVIGON USA

NAVIGON USA is a Windows 10 Mobile app that turns your Windows Phone into a feature rich navigation system. Developed by Garmin Wurzburg, the app is a bit on the pricey side ($39.99) but gives you access to downloadable maps for North America with access to free map updates as they become available.

Features of NAVIGON USA include:

  • Live traffic overlays
  • Weather forecasts for your travel route
  • Voice assistance
  • Take me home feature for one-touch route generation
  • Augmented Reality Scanner to find points of interest
  • Support for Garmin Heads-Up Display
  • Traffic camera overlay

The primary menu for NAVIGON USA includes pages to set your destination by address, coordinates or based on your Windows Phone coordinates; a points of interest page to find hotels, gas stations, restaurants and more in your area; a More page where you can view the map, plan a trip, view your GPS information, access the app's settings and manage your downloaded maps.

If you are looking for a navigation app for Europe, there is NAVIGON Europe ($79.99) that covers most (if not all) of Europe. Please note that NAVIGON Europe requires at least 1.1 GB of free memory and NAVIGON USA requires at least 900 MB of memory.

Download NAVIGON USA from the Windows Store

QR: NAVIGON USA

CoPilot GPS

CoPilot GPS

CoPilot GPS offers a free, turn-by-turn navigation option for Windows 10 Mobile with the option to upgrade to premium services based on individual needs. The Windows 10 Mobile app includes offline navigation to reduce the need for data with maps available for the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India and Brazil.

Key features for CoPilot GPS include:

  • Multi-stop trip planning
  • Itinerary and preview direction
  • Drag and Drop route editing
  • Lane indicator arrows to alert you of upcoming turns and merges
  • Speed limit and safety camera warnings
  • Tons of points of interest that includes the customary hotels, restaurants, gas stations and more.

CoPilot's route view includes distance to your destination, time until arrival, distance to the next turn and details on your next turn.

There is also a CommuteMe feature where CoPilot learns your preferred daily route to work. Combined with the ActiveTraffic feature, that monitors traffic reports and helps you avoid delays, you can better plan your commutes. The ActiveTraffic is a subscription service ($9.99) but a free 7-day trial is included with the free version of CoPilot GPS.

The free version of CoPilot GPS covers the basics with additional in-app subscriptions to enhance the app's capabilities. These subscriptions start at $0.99 a month for voice-guided navigation and can be as high as $26.99 for some regional maps. You can purchase a lifetime subscription to voice guided navigation for $9.99. The ActiveTraffic is also a subscription service ($9.99), but a free 7-day trial is included with the free version of CoPilot GPS.

The free version of CoPilot GPS is enough to get you around town and you have the benefit of choosing which upgrades fit your needs the best, as they are needed.

Download CoPilot GPS from the Windows Store

QR: CoPilot GPS

Scout GPS Maps

Scout GPS Maps

Scout GPS Maps is another free Windows 10 Mobile navigation app that covers the basics with the free version, but has plenty of in-app upgrades to enhance the core app.

The main layout for Scout GPS Maps offers a Main page where you can set up home and work addresses for easy routing, view your recent destinations, tap into your contacts for easy routing and resume an existing trip; a Nearby page to find points of interest near your location; and a Profile page where you can access your account, app settings and download maps.

Key features of Scout GPS Maps include:

  • Multiple routes generated to allow you to choose the best optimized route
  • Step by Step turn list to easily follow the selected route with a visual list of turns
  • Destinations can be searched by keyword, address, from your contacts or points of interest

Settings allow for several customizations from map colors, icon styles and route preferences. You can upgrade to Scout GPS Maps Plus through an annual cost of $24.99. The in-app upgrade unlocks voice guidance, traffic alerts, red light camera map overlays and voice commands for navigating around the app. If you aren't sure if you need the upgrade, the free version does provide a 30-day trial of the Plus features.

Download Scout GPS Maps from the Windows Store

QR: Scout GPS Maps

If you have tried any of these Windows 10 apps out, let us know what you think of things in the comments below. These navigation apps aren't the only game in town. Along with this collection of Windows 10 titles you have the likes of Turn by Turn Navigation, GPS Routes Finder and Sygic GPS Navigation.

Personally, one can never have too many apps and I rely on the Windows Maps app for trips around town and NAVIGON USA for longer trips. If we have missed your favorite Windows 10 navigation app, feel free to share that as well.

George Ponder

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.