Map apps: Free downloads

Routebuddy Atlas
Rating:★★★
Offline Scale: 4 miles per inch
Contact: http://bit.ly/Routebuddy_Atlas
Very similar to ForeverMap by Skobbler, but RouteBuddy Atlas also offers cycling, skiing and walking maps. Download is slow, although you can save tiles for offline use. While it wasn’t accurate with all of our postcodes, you get street names, plus a clever function gauges distances between points as the crow flies. But rivals have better offline ability, scale and simplicity.

Google Maps

Rating:★★★
Offline Scale: N/A
Contact: http://bit.ly/Maps_By_Google

Now a household name, Google Maps is pre-installed on iPhones and iPads, but this meant we couldn’t compare the download process to rivals. Still, the interface is slick, and the maps look good, with the uncluttered display simple to use. Unfortunately, the app loses out here as you always need an Internet connection to access the maps (which can be zoomed in to three yards per inch).

NavFree GPS UK & ROI

Rating:★★★★★
Offline Scale: 142 yards per inch
Contact: http://bit.ly/NavFreeUK

BEST BUY Massive 421MB app is the biggest here, so download to your computer and sync to your iPad, or it takes ages. Still, Navfree offers clear maps, an unfussy display, intuitive menus and smooth scrolling. It found all our postcodes, has sat-nav-style points of interest and can even be used to navigate. Plus, it’s free! You can also zoom in to 142 yards per inch – perfect for around town

GB Road Atlas Route Buddy Solo
Rating:★★★
Offline Scale: 4 miles per inch
Contact: http://bit.ly/RouteBuddy_Solo

This 245MB download disappointed. Despite the promise of Solo’s accurate road maps, it’s limited to 1:250,000 scale – or 4mpi. You can’t download clearer maps and the waypoints can only be added to the centre; rivals have a much preferable click and hold function. Search is limited to place name or coordinates, there’s no compass (unlike on the MotionX) and Navfree offers smoother scrolling.