Last updated 1mo ago

Guru Maps - Offline Navigation

Guru Maps is an offline-first navigation app for hikers and off-road drivers, providing high-resolution terrain data and GPS tracking on iOS and Android.

Product velocity

Maintenance

updated 85d ago

Daily rank 🇺🇸

#77

▲16

Navigation · grossing

Sentiment

4.4

16k reviews

Excited mood

Nemesis

Google Maps

11 rivals tracked

What frustrates users?Who could take the crown?

The App DNA

What makes this app unique?

Users choose Guru Maps to remove the dependency on cellular connectivity for navigation in remote areas, replacing standard map apps that fail when signal is lost.

For Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, cyclists, and off-road drivers requiring reliable navigation in signal-deprived environments.

What does it look like?

Key features

Offline Map Downloadsedge

Download high-resolution OpenStreetMap data for countries or regions to enable navigation without cellular signal.

True 3D Relief and Terrainedge

Visualizes hills and valleys using elevation data, hillshading, and contour lines.

Multi-stop Route Optimizationstandard

Builds routes with custom waypoints and automatic rerouting capabilities.

How much does it cost?

freemiumFree tier: 15 pinned places, 15 tracks, 3 vector countriesPro subscription: Unlimited markers, tracks, and map downloads

Strict usage caps on storage and downloads force conversion for power users who exceed the free-tier limits.

Velocity

Maintenance developmentUX improvementsplatform expansionperformanceShow more...

The app currently ships at a maintenance cadence, with only two distinct versions released in the observed window. Development is focused on platform-specific feature parity and stability, with the latest release introducing 3D relief and improved navigation reliability. The current update frequency of approximately one release every 2-3 months indicates a stable but slow development pace. No significant new content or live-service events have been introduced in recent updates.

See all version history

Who built it?

Evgen Bodunov

3 apps tracked · Navigation

Guru Maps Pro - Offline Nav Guru Maps — GPS Route Planner

Guru Maps — GPS Route Planner

Explore the full publisher profile

User Sentiment

What do users think recently?

How are ratings & reviews evolving?

Positive Neutral Negative

Weekly average review rating

Google Play

4.39 · 14k

App Store

4.70 · 3k

What users say, by theme

What Users Love

Offline map functionality allows users to navigate remote areas without relying on cellular data connectivity
Cross-platform account synchronization allows users to share waypoints and routes between different mobile devices seamlessly
Detailed topographic data and GPX support provide hikers and cyclists with professional-grade route planning tools

What Frustrates Users

The latest update causes a black screen issue on some Android devices, preventing map data from loading

+ 2 more themes

What Users Want 1 request inside

102 of 137 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Excited overall

Read the full review analysis

Unlock 2 more frustration themes and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.

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Competition

Competitive landscape for Guru Maps - Offline Navigation

How's the Navigation market?

Guru Maps holds a stable position in the navigation category, though its 4.70 rating is currently pressured by a critical Android rendering bug. The lack of real-time traffic features limits its appeal to commuters, positioning it strictly as a specialized tool for off-grid exploration.

Read the market outlook

The rivals identified

Google Mapsactive nemesis

By Google

Google Maps competes directly with Guru Maps by offering offline map downloads, a core feature that overlaps with the primary value proposition of Guru Maps for users in signal-deprived environments.

Google Maps integrates real-time traffic data, whereas Guru Maps relies on static offline map files.
Google Maps utilizes a 500-million-user contributor network, while Guru Maps depends on OpenStreetMap data.
Guru Maps provides professional-grade 3D terrain and slope shading, which Google Maps lacks in its feature set.
Google Maps offers Gemini-powered discovery features, while Guru Maps focuses on specialized off-road navigation tools.

Compare head-to-head

Guru Maps - Offline Navigation vs Google Maps

Avenza Maps: Offline MappingContender

Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail MapsContender

Sygic GPS Navigation & MapsContender Bikemap: Cycling Tracker & GPS

Bikemap: Cycling Tracker & GPSContender

onX Offroad: Trail Maps & GPSContender

Yandex Maps & NavigatorContender

MapXplorer: Map Radar NavigateContender

Footpath Route PlannerContender

Show 2 more

what3words: Navigation & MapsContender

Route4Me Route PlannerContender

Unlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.

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The Analyst's Read

Key takeaways for Guru Maps - Offline Navigation

Where is it heading?

The navigation market is consolidating around tools that offer both offline reliability and real-time traffic integration. Guru Maps remains exposed: the recent Android rendering regression, combined with a 161-day gap since the last store update, signals a maintenance-mode cadence that risks losing power users to more responsive rivals.

The Android rendering regression forces users to rely on workarounds, which increases churn pressure on the core outdoor-enthusiast segment.
Cross-platform synchronization remains a high-value differentiator that keeps power users locked into the Guru Maps ecosystem despite recent stability issues.

The SWOT

Core Strengths

Cross-platform synchronization enables seamless waypoint sharing
3D terrain visualization creates a defensible barrier for off-road segments

Critical Frictions 2 weaknesses inside

Growth Levers

Desktop-based route builder would address the top power-user request

Market Threats 1 threat identified

Next best moves

1 Invest · 1 Pivot

Patch Android rendering regression because it is the primary complaint theme → restore daily active habit

+ 1 more prioritized move

The counter-intuitive read

The app's maintenance-mode cadence is not a failure…

Read the full take

Feature gaps

Live traffic reporting (available in Karta and Genius Maps but missing here) +1

Since the last report: Android rendering regressions and a 161-day update gap have intensified churn risk, shifting the app into a maintenance-mode cadence that struggles to retain power users against more responsive navigation tools.

Bottom line

Restoring Android stability is the immediate priority, as the current rendering regression undermines the app's core value of reliable offline navigation. Addressing this will stabilize the user base before the team can pivot to the requested desktop-planning tools.

Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.

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FAQ

Is Guru Maps better than GPS Tracks for hiking?

Guru Maps offers superior multi-stop route optimization and vehicle integration, while GPS Tracks provides higher stability and live tracking functionality. If you prioritize complex planning, Guru Maps is the better fit.

Does Guru Maps work without internet?

Yes, Guru Maps is designed for offline use. You can download high-resolution map regions for use in areas without cellular service, though some users report that initial setup or sync may require a connection.

Is there a free version of Guru Maps?

Yes, there is a free tier that allows up to 15 pinned places, 15 recorded tracks, and 3 vector map regions. Power users who exceed these limits must upgrade to a Pro subscription.

What is a free alternative to Guru Maps?

Karta is a common alternative that offers unlimited map downloads and live traffic rerouting for free, though it lacks the specialized 3D terrain and off-road planning tools found in Guru Maps.

Sources

[1] Developer website, source
[2] Play Store reviews

Report last updated Oct 13, 2026