Cycling, whether road or mountain, is one of the most complete physical activities. If you're a cycling enthusiast interested in monitoring your progress, planning routes, or discovering new ones every day, cycling apps for Android have become essential tools. Today, there are apps that cover every need: from planning and navigation to training monitoring, maintenance management, and even emergency support. This article is the definitive guide to finding, selecting, and using them. The best free cycling apps for Android, integrating all relevant and up-to-date information in the sector so you have the perfect option, whatever your type of cycling and personal goals.
The mobile revolution in cycling: What can an app do for you?
Digitalization has changed the way we practice cycling.Mobile phones and apps have democratized access to professional features: today you can analyze your performance, follow routes in real time, share achievements, and even learn about biomechanics and maintenance without leaving home. Some apps allow you to connect external sensors and cycling computers (like Garmin or Fitbit), while others integrate social features, challenges, and the ability to explore routes from around the world. The key is choosing the right app for your goal: training, route planning, improving your cycling, tracking your nutrition, or even responding in an emergency.
Strava: The most used social network and training app among cyclists
Strava is possibly the most popular application in the world of cycling, both professional and amateur.It offers the ability to record routes, analyze training metrics (speed, distance, elevation, pace, calories, heart rate, power, etc.), set segments to compete with other cyclists, and participate in monthly challenges to stay motivated. Strava's strength lies in its community: You can share your rides with other users, create clubs, follow athletes, give and receive kudos, and discover new routes using heat maps and public segments.
- Available for free with advanced features in premium version.
- Compatible with external sensors and cycle computers.
- Advanced training metrics, segments, heat maps, and progress logs.
- Social features to compete or share your routes.
- It allows you to upload activities from more than 40 sports for comprehensive monitoring of your physical activity.
Komoot: Advanced Route Planning and Outdoor Adventures
Komoot is the preferred app for planning cycling, trekking, or bikepacking routes.. It allows you to choose the type of terrain (road, mountain, gravel, etc.), customize routes with waypoints and interesting stops, check elevation profiles, and adapt routes to your preferences. The highlight is its huge community, where users share routes, points of interest, photos, and tips. Komoot integrates Turn-by-turn navigation with voice prompts (ideal if you don't use a bike computer), offline maps (paid version), as well as the ability to share and download routes in various formats compatible with other devices. If you're looking for new adventures, exploring unknown areas, or sharing experiences, Komoot is the best option.
- Free with option to purchase offline maps by region or single worldwide payment.
- Advanced planning with elevation profile, terrain type, and customization.
- Routes and community tips.
- Voice navigation prompts and bike computer compatibility.
Wikiloc: Discover and share routes around the world
Wikiloc is one of the most extensive route platforms in the world, ideal for mountain and road cyclists.. It allows you to search, filter, and follow routes created by other users, with detailed information on distances, elevation, profiles, and difficulty. Its greatest asset is its community: millions of users add routes every day, enriching the database with photos, dangerous spots, or recommendations. Wikiloc allows you to download routes for offline use (in its premium version), record your own routes, and receive audio alerts while browsing.
- Available for free with premium option (offline download, notifications and voice guidance).
- Search for routes by region, difficulty, terrain type, or distance.
- Advanced filters and height profile control.
- It works as a social network to discover, follow and share routes or achievements.
MapMyRide: Comprehensive monitoring and personalized training plans
MapMyRide combines real-time activity monitoring with a powerful training planner tailored to your level.It's ideal for both beginners and advanced cyclists, offering route analysis, key metric tracking, connectivity with sensors and activity trackers to collect heart rate and cadence data, and the ability to share and discover routes within the community. It also offers group challenges to compete and stay motivated. Training plans can be customized based on your goals (endurance, speed, weight loss, etc.), making each outing adapt to your progress.
- Over five million downloads and a well-established reputation in the industry.
- Integration of interactive maps and route history.
- Recording essential data and connecting to wearable devices.
- Advanced features available in premium version.
Bikemap: Explore millions of routes and navigate accurately
Bikemap is a reference app for cyclists looking for new routes and bicycle-optimized navigation solutions.Its database integrates more than 10 million routes on all continents, with filters to adapt to difficulty level, bike type, elevation, or surface. Users can add information on trail conditions, warnings, and photos, making it easier to choose safe and attractive routes. Bikemap stands out for its smart assistant, which uses artificial intelligence to suggest routes based on your preferences, and its offline mode (in its premium version), essential for outings in areas without coverage. The app is constantly updated thanks to its global community.
- Support for urban, mountain, road, gravel and eBikes.
- Intelligent route assistant and guided navigation.
- Information enriched by the community.
- Offline navigation options and advanced maps in the paid version.
Google Maps: The Universal Solution for Urban Cyclists
Although Google Maps is not a dedicated cycling app, it has significantly improved its support for cyclists.It allows you to plan safe routes along bike paths, avoid major thoroughfares, or discover urban shortcuts in hundreds of cities. Among its advantages are the ability to view business reviews, check nearby services, and receive bike-specific turn-by-turn directions (including estimated time and elevation profile). Its use is especially recommended for urban cyclists and commuters who want to discover new areas by bike without having to install additional apps. It's worth remembering that Google Maps assumes a standard bike type, so its suggestions may not be optimal for ultralight road bikes or technical mountain trails.
- Urban cycling routes and worldwide coverage.
- Integration with reviews of nearby shops, bars, and points of interest.
- Turn-by-turn directions and interactive maps.
- Free, easy to use, and always up-to-date.
Ride with GPS: Advanced Planning, Navigation, and Recording
Ride with GPS is a very powerful app for cyclists looking to plan long routes, go bikepacking or cycle touring.Its strong points are its turn-by-turn navigation with voice prompts, the ability to record and share detailed routes, and access to a global library of rides. Ride with GPS supports Bluetooth sensors, offers highly detailed elevation profiles, and allows you to download routes for offline navigation, essential for multi-day rides or remote areas. The app, although initially in English, is easy to use and highly appreciated by cycle tourists and eBike and gravel bike users. The community shares route reports and interesting points to enhance your rides.
- Advanced planning and precise navigation.
- Support for external sensors and devices.
- Detailed activity log and route export.
- Premium options for maps and offline navigation.
Trailforks: MTB and gravel routes, trails, and advisories
Trailforks is the essential app for mountain bike and gravel enthusiasts.With over 300.000 mountain routes and thousands of eBike and trail routes, it offers detailed trail maps, elevation profiles, photos, terrain conditions, and emergency alerts. Users can report trail conditions, share alternate routes, and collaborate on a global database for the most demanding bikers. It includes the option to send your exact location in case of emergency, allowing rapid intervention in the event of an accident. Its free version is comprehensive for local routes; global expansion requires a subscription.
- Ideal for locating trails, trials, and MTB or gravel routes.
- Route map, points of interest, photos, and user reports.
- Emergency function with geolocation.
- Free in your region, premium option for global use.
GPS Bike for Cycling: Route Tracking and Training Statistics
This app is designed to monitor your cycling trips by displaying essential information: time, distance, speed, elevation and even calories burned.Its simple interface makes it easy to track your progress in real time and creates a history to analyze it. It's compatible with smartwatches, allowing you to receive notifications and track your workouts from your wrist. Ideal for both beginners looking for motivation and experienced users looking for a basic workout log.
- Automatic activity and route logging with visible maps.
- Live calorie, altitude, and speed measurement.
- Compatible with wearables and smartwatches.
- Completely free.
Bike Tracker: Track your entire activity in a single app
Bike Tracker is a simple yet robust tool for tracking all your bike ride data.. It uses your phone's GPS to record routes, typical journeys, speed, and technical details. It offers a route history so you can compare your times and progress, and includes shortcuts to your favorite routes and technical information for each section. It's a constantly improving app with a growing community, ideal for users looking for simplicity and efficiency.
- Route history and shortcuts for frequent routes.
- Record speed, distance and time.
- Improved accuracy on trails and paths.
- Over a million downloads and excellent store ratings.
Urban Biker: the urban companion for tracking bike rides and walks
Urban Biker stands out as one of the best-rated apps for recording bike and foot rides.It monitors urban and rural routes, calculates calories, displays accumulated time and distance, and generates daily, weekly, or monthly statistics to monitor your progress. It's useful for cyclists, city walkers, and those who want to record other sports activities. Its intuitive interface allows you to record multiple bikes or activities under a single profile.
- Detailed statistics and progress monitoring.
- Ideal for both urban and road cycling.
- Free and with excellent user ratings.
Zwift: Indoor Cycling and Smart Training
Zwift is the ultimate app for cyclists training at home.. Transform your trainer into an immersive experience, allowing you to join virtual routes, realistic landscapes, online competitions, and personalized training plans. You can ride solo, compete with friends, or join mass events. Zwift measures your speed, power, and cadence and generates detailed reports to help you progress each week. It's also compatible with all types of smart trainers and sensors, and allows you to sync your activity with Strava and other external platforms.
- Virtual indoor training with global routes and realistic landscapes.
- Training plans, events, and group challenges.
- ANT+ and Bluetooth sensor compatibility.
- Free and premium versions depending on features.
Other essential apps for cyclists
- TrainingPeaks: It's a training manager for cyclists of all levels. It allows you to create plans, log workouts, manage nutrition, and analyze your progress in depth. You can expand information about applications to record your times, as well as its compatibility with power meters and sensors, is ideal for preparing full seasons and coordinating training sessions with your coach.
- MyFitnessPal: Although it's a generic fitness app, it's key for cyclists interested in monitoring their diet and weight control. However, you can also integrate it with other apps to adjust your calorie intake to your actual expenditure.
- ProBikeGarage: A tool for managing bicycle maintenance. It tracks the mileage of each component (chain, brake pads, drivetrain, etc.), notifies you when it's time to replace or service your bike, and integrates with Strava for automatic mileage and wear updates.
- MyVeloFit: It performs biomechanical studies by recording a video of your position on the roller. Using artificial intelligence, it analyzes and suggests adjustments to improve efficiency and prevent injuries without the need for professional equipment.
- First Aid – Red Cross: Essential app for learning and reviewing first aid procedures. It includes tutorials, quizzes, and steps to follow in case of an accident, a key aspect for cyclists exploring routes far from urban environments.
- Bike Citizens: Urban navigation optimized for bicycles, with safe routes and updates on traffic or temporary closures in large cities.
- ViewRanger: Augmented reality orientation app for recognizing points of interest on cycling and mountain routes.
- Interval Timer HIIT y Exercise Bike Workout: Ideal for designing and following high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a stationary bike.
- Saddle Adjustment: Facilitates perfect saddle adjustment using your phone as a level and step-by-step guide.
- Bicycle Gear Calculator: Calculate gear ratios and gear changes to get the most out of every gear on your bike.
- The Foot Fit Calculator: Helps to correctly position the cleats to avoid discomfort and injuries.
- Bike 3D Configurator: It allows you to design and customize your ideal bicycle in 3D, testing component and color combinations before making a purchase.
- Kahaki Sprocket Tool: Calculates spoke length and assists in the assembly of custom wheels.
- GPS Speedometer: Simple app to display speed, distance, and route duration without any extra features.
- Radbonus: It motivates you to pedal to work by accumulating kilometers that turn into rewards.
Tips for getting the most out of cycling apps
- Download offline maps or routes before going into areas without coverage., this way you will avoid surprises and you will be able to continue being guided even if you don't have Internet.
- Use a bike-specific phone mount to keep the terminal safe and visible while driving.
- Always charge your phone before leaving and carry an external battery if the routes are long. The GPS and the screen consume a lot of power.
- Check that your sensors (cardio, cadence, power) are correctly adjusted before your ride if you're looking for accurate metrics.
- Properly configure privacy settings on social apps (Strava, Komoot) to decide who can see your rides and protect your safety.
- Turn your route data into motivation: set weekly challenges, join groups or clubs, and share your progress only if you want.
Thanks to the wide variety of cycling apps for Android, whether you're an amateur cyclist or training for challenging goals, you'll find the perfect tool to maximize your experience on two wheels. From route planning to maintenance management, including tracking your training and safety, you have a whole digital ecosystem at your fingertips that allows you to grow, discover, and enjoy cycling to the fullest. Explore the options, choose the ones that best suit your needs, and turn your phone into your best ally for every ride.
