Everyone carries a smartphone, but do cyclists use it to enhance their experience? With apps that track your journey, keep you safe, and offer maintenance advice, smartphones can help you make the most of your ride. All riders need the best biking apps to enjoy the thrill of the open road and the camaraderie of the community. Riding has boosted demand for best road biking apps and apps for cyclists that do more than just navigation. We're talking fitness tracking, community connection, and customization.
Our aim with this post? To showcase 2024's top riding apps, designed to boost your cycling experience. Our recommendations help road racers, mountain bikers, and urban commuters. Remember to pick up the perfect bike phone mounts to get military-grade durability and the ultimate hands-free experience. Let's jump into our recommendations for the best biking apps of 2024.
1. Strava: Best Ride Tracking and Social App
One of the best road biking apps is Strava Cycling, which provides thorough tracking for sports like cycling, hiking, and running. You can compare your performance with that of professionals and acquaintances by using the comprehensive stats it offers, like speed, pace, and distance. Through social sharing and challenges, the app encourages community interaction. Its smooth cross-platform integration further improves the user experience. Strava is the go-to pick for powerful ride tracking and networking capabilities, making it an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys cycling. On both iOS and Android, the download is free, and there are premium options available for those who want more advanced functionality.
Well-known for Ride monitoring and social networking.
Pros:
- Experience
- Improved tracking
- Detailed metrics
- Additional desktop features
- Smooth integration
- Social app interaction
Cons:
- Premium features behind a paywall
- Limited free version capabilities
- Data privacy concerns
- Occasional problems or errors
- Heavy battery
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium Price: $7.99/month
2. MapMyRide: Top Route-Mapping Software
A popular road biking app, MapMyRide provides a simple-to-use interface for organizing, logging, and sharing rides. Navigation is made easier by its vast route database and user-friendly interface, and the experience is improved by features like social sharing, personalized voice updates, and route planning. Additionally, it's an effective cycling training software that caters to both recreational and competitive cyclists by tracking crucial parameters including elevation, pace, and distance. The free version offers only the most basic features; extensive mapping and exporting capabilities are only available with the premium MVP membership. One of the best apps for biking and a favorite among cyclists, MapMyRide is available for iOS and Android smartphones.
Well-known for comprehensive monitoring and route planning.
Pros:
- Moderate tracking and route planning
- Customized audio upgrades
- Ability to integrate
- Social in-app experience
Cons:
- Extra features behind paywall
- Free version has few features
- Concerns about privacy
- Ads in free version user experience
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $5.99/month
3. Bikemap: Superior Route Planning and Navigation
Bikemap is a top-notch bike navigation app that provides riders with a flexible interface for organizing, logging, and tracking cycling routes. Turn-by-turn voice instructions and easy route editing are two features of its intuitive UI that guarantee a smooth riding experience. The app is particularly noteworthy for its offline navigation features, which provide uninterrupted trips even in places with spotty internet. Bikemap offers comprehensive data like distance, elevation, and areas of interest together with a large map that features bike stores, cycle pathways, and well-traveled routes. Although the basic version is free, users can choose to subscribe in order to access premium features such as customized bike computers and routing tailored for bikes. One of the best apps for biking routes is Bikemap, which offers extensive route planning and navigation features to meet the varied needs of cyclists.
Well-known for detailed cycling route planning and navigation.
Pros:
- Tracking improvements
- Improved route planning
- Improved metrics
- Offline navigation
- Better privacy settings
- Social in-app experience
Cons:
- Premium features require a paywall
- Free tier has limited app features
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $6.99/month
4. Komoot: Detailed Route Planning Expert
With Komoot, one of the best cycling navigation apps, and a flexible bicycle route planner designed for cyclists, mountain bikers, trekkers, and hikers alike, you can venture out on your outdoor adventures with confidence. With its topographic routing service, Komoot guarantees that your travel itinerary will be precisely tailored to your interests and capabilities. You may easily traverse isolated terrains with offline map access and comprehensive route customization. Its vast database of pathways and trails leads to countless opportunities for exploration. Thanks to its compatibility with smartwatches and GPS devices, Komoot improves accessibility and convenience for users everywhere. Come along as we examine the features, advantages, and factors to take into account of this essential gear for outdoor enthusiasts.
Well-known for tailored route mapping and navigation for outdoor pursuits.
Pros:
- Improved route planning
- Detail metrics
- Offline navigation
- Smooth integration
- Great user experience
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Free apps have limited features
- Privacy risks in data collection
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $4.99/month
5. Ride with GPS: Comprehensive Ride Recording
One of the best apps for biking on the iPhone and a top bicycle route planner, Ride with GPS stands out as a lighthouse for cyclists looking for extensive ride recording capabilities. This app, which is made just for riders, has a number of features that will improve your riding experience. Whether you're route-planning or traveling through uncharted territory, Ride with GPS offers the necessary resources to guarantee smooth travels. Users have the freedom to select the plan that best meets their needs, thanks to the availability of both free and premium alternatives. Come explore Ride with GPS's features, benefits, limitations, and pricing alternatives so you can make well-informed selections for your riding travels.
Well known for extensive route mapping and navigation services tailored specifically for cyclists.
Pros:
- Improved tracking
- Improved metrics
- Improved route planning
- Effective integration
- Navigation offline
- Audio updates
- Social in-app experience
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $9.99/month
6. OS Maps: UK's Digital Mapping Champion
OS Maps is the UK's largest digital mapping service, offering outdoor lovers extensive online and mobile route planning and one of the best biking apps. OS Maps delivers conventional and aerial mapping for rural and urban exploration, giving you the most accurate and up-to-date information. As a ride planner and recorder, the software integrates with GPS devices and wearables, making it a top choice for accurate cycling maps. OS Maps for Great Britain and Australia is known for its enhanced mapping, tracking, and route planning. Join us as we discuss the advantages, cons, and cost of this essential outdoor item.
Well known as a Digital platform providing both online and mobile capabilities for route planning and mapping services.
Pros:
- Improved map tracking
- Route planning
- Integration capabilities
- Improved privacy settings
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
- Low geographical reach
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $2.42/month
7. Dermandar: DMD Panorama
Using apps for cyclists like Dermandar's DMD Panorama, you may take breathtaking pictures while cycling. With the "Near Me" gallery function, this creative app—which costs just $9.99—allows you to easily snap 360-degree pictures and lose yourself in the alluring images of other people's shots. You may easily preserve and share your best memories with loved ones, making it even more enjoyable to relive your experiences. Designed specifically for Apple products, Dermandar's DMD Panorama is an ideal cycling app for picturesque bike journeys, providing an unparalleled viewpoint of your environment. This app, which is also available for free on Android devices under the name DerManDar (DMD) Panorama, guarantees a smooth experience for those cyclists who want to record and share their amazing travels.
Well known for Crafting and disseminating panoramic images seamlessly.
Pros:
- Fully automated capture
- Fast photo stitching
- Useful integration capabilities
- Social in-app experience
Cons:
- Premium features require paywall
- Limited free app capabilities
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $9.99/month
8. Cyclemeter: In-Depth Ride Analysis
Cyclemeter is more than simply a cycling app; it analyzes your biking and is an accurate bike ride tracker. Cyclemeter turns your phone into a potent fitness computer with its extensive exercise data, which includes maps, graphs, splits, intervals, laps, announcements, zones, training plans, live tracking, and social publishing. It also has tools for goal-setting and interval training, seamless connectivity with a variety of sensors and devices, and route mapping and planning capabilities. Cyclemeter is all about personalization; it lets users tailor their cycling tracking experiences to suit their own tastes.
Well known for transforming your smartphone into a robust fitness computer tailored for both cycling and running activities.
Pros:
- Improved tracking
- Improved route planning and metrics
- Personalized route advice
- Navigation offline
- Good integration skills
- Social in-app experience
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $9.99/month
9. Elite HRV: Heart Rate Variability Tracker
Elite HRV stands out as a premier heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring app designed to track stress, recovery, and overall well-being. It also serves as an advanced cycling tracker, offering valuable insights for optimizing training and reducing stress during cycling sessions. It requires an HRV-capable sensor for accurate readings and supports various HRV sensors, including Corsense. Elite HRV provides a team setup with advanced dashboard insights, catering to large organizations, military, and research groups with discounted rates. Renowned for its ability to monitor HRV and track stress, recovery, and overall well-being, Elite HRV empowers users to enhance their health and performance.
Well known for tracking heart rate variability (HRV) to monitor stress levels, recovery, and overall well-being.
Pros:
- Enhanced Metrics
- Advanced Insights and Analytics
- Additional Subscriber Features
- Military Discounts
Cons:
- Premium features behind a paywall
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $30/month (Basic: $30, Pro: $60, Large Group: $100 Monthly for 21-100 members)
10. Zwift: Virtual Riding and Training
Zwift, one of the best cycling apps and best indoor cycling apps available, transforms indoor cycling with its immersive virtual training environment. Zwift offers bikes, realistic surroundings, and avatars that can be customized to create dynamic training sessions that are adjusted to each user's preferences. Group rides and races encourage community involvement and healthy competitiveness, while structured workouts accommodate a range of fitness levels and objectives. Zwift works with smart trainers, treadmills, and other exercise equipment to effortlessly connect with cycling and running. Social elements like clubs, online events, and buddy connections improve the whole experience.
Well known for providing an immersive indoor cycling and running experience with virtual training environments.
Pros:
- Customized Cycling and Running Routing
- Improved Virtual Training Features
- Extra Subscriber Features
- Good Integration Skills
- Social In-App Experience
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $21.99/ month
11. Trailforks: Mountain Bike Trail Navigator
A mapping platform and trail database geared for outdoor lovers, Trailforks is one of the best apps for mountain biking. It includes ski, motorcycle, and mountain bike paths, in addition to its main focus of mountain riding tracks. Users may visualize well-known trails using the heatmap function, and riders can monitor their rides and provide useful statistics on trail usage by using the app. For cyclists looking for a dependable mountain biking app and cycling map app, Trailforks is a great option because it has trails mapped in more than 100 nations and is well-known for its extensive database of mountain biking trails.
Well known for its extensive mountain biking trail database.
Pros:
- Includes customized cycling and running routes
- Enhanced virtual training features
- Extra Subscription Features
- Good Integration
- In-app socializing
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
Pricing:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $21.99/month
12. MyWindsock: Weather Analysis for Cyclists
Among the best cycling apps, MyWindsock stands out as the best weather analysis tool designed with outdoor bikers in mind. With its in-depth weather analysis and predictions, it gives customers the ability to plan their trips more efficiently by providing information on the effects of current weather on cycling. MyWindsock's seamless integration with Strava guarantees that weather information is easily included into route planning and tracking, improving the riding experience in its entirety. MyWindsock delivers meteorological information in an easily comprehensible format that can be customized to fit personal preferences, thanks to its user-friendly interface and images. With support for several languages, MyWindsock offers the finest biking app experience and is continuously improved based on user feedback, making it more accessible to worldwide cycling communities.
Well known for detailed weather analysis for cyclists.
Pros:
- Detailed weather analysis
- Ride optimization forecasting
- Useful integration capabilities
- The user experience
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $2.08/month
13. Rouvy: Realistic Ride Simulations
Among the best cycling apps, Rouvy stands out for providing over 1300 high-quality video routes and a realistic virtual cycling experience. It is a great option for indoor cycling fans looking for exciting and dynamic rides because it offers thorough bike directions and cycling routes. In addition to its large route library, Rouvy provides races, group rides, and challenges that faithfully mimic real-world circumstances. Rouvy guarantees a rich indoor cycling experience that is accessible on numerous devices and is compatible with a variety of training and well-known fitness applications. Rouvy has a 14-day trial and an 80-level leveling mechanism, making it suitable for riders who choose to ride indoors or outside.
Well known for realistic indoor cycling.
Pros:
- Improved route library bikemap Challenges in-app
- Good integration skills
- Social in-app experience
- Realistic ride simulators
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
- The user experience
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $14.99/ month
14. Bike Doctor 2.0: Bike Maintenance Guidance
Bike Doctor 2.0 helps cyclists with routine maintenance and repairs while being reasonably priced under $10 for iOS and Android. It provides thorough, step-by-step instructions for a variety of repairs, which could ultimately save consumers money. This cycling app software also offers helpful advice on how to clean a bike properly to avoid harm in the future. Bike Doctor 2.0, which is available for download for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Android smartphones, is a vital tool for bikers looking for efficient and reasonably priced bike repair solutions.
Well known for step-by-step bike repair and maintenance instructions.
Pros:
- Easy maintenance instructions
- Clear repair guide
- Useful images and videos
Cons:
- No advanced maintenance guidance
- No free version
Price:
- Under $10
15. Relive: 3D Ride Video Creator
For cyclists, runners, and hikers alike, Relive stands out as one of the best cycling and best road biking apps. It monitors sports like hiking, jogging, and cycling and offers thorough data insights. Relive's functionality is enhanced by its smooth integration with Strava and other fitness platforms. Relive creates beautiful 3D videos of activity routes and provides comprehensive maps and route tracking for both Android and iPhone devices. It's a great option for cycling tracking and an essential accessory for any outdoor activity because of its simple and intuitive interface, which guarantees easy navigation and discovery of your outdoor excursions.
Well known for beautiful activity videos and top road biking apps
Pros:
- Improved tracking and recording features
- Useful integration capabilities
- Improved user experience
Cons:
- Premium features require a paywall Limited free app capabilities
- Occasional bugs and inaccuracies
- Limited customization possibilities
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $6.99/month
16. TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks offers athletes and coaches a complete platform to track, analyze, and organize their training. It easily syncs workout data from many devices and applications to provide heart rate, pace, and power charts and weekly fitness summaries. It customizes training plans to individual goals and tastes, offering a tailored fitness approach. Accredited coaches can work with athletes on customized training plans and consultations, and the Coach Edition helps coaches manage several athletes. Popular cycling and endurance sports magazines have praised TrainingPeaks, which works with over 100 watches, bike computers, the best biking apps, and indoor training platforms.
Well known for comprehensive training tracking and analysis.
Pros:
- Improved tracking
- Adjustable training plans
- Coach collaboration options
- Good integration skills
- The user experience
Cons:
- Paywall for premium features
- Limited app capabilities in free tier
Price:
- Free Tier
- Premium: $19.95/month
Final Words
Cycling apps and accessories enhance your biking adventures with utility and ease. The search for comprehensive features, tailored experiences, value-filled tiers, and third-party app integrations is crucial to the value they bring to your riding experience.
The best way to take advantage of and use the best cycling apps is to ensure you have one of the best bike phone mounts that fits your preferences. By preferences, we're referring to placement - the difference between a handlebar bike phone mount , stem bike mount , and an out front bike mount is simply how and where you prefer to place your phone on a ride. Otherwise, your phone, and all the best biking apps that go along with it, are stuck in your pocket!
As a final note, let's break down those important features we used to cherry pick 16 favorites of the best biking apps available in 2024:
Comprehensive Features: The best cycling app for road biking or any other discipline offers route planning and performance tracking to meet riders' different needs.
Tailored to Cyclist Preferences: The best cycling app also allows you to customize your experience, whether you're a casual or competitive rider.
Value of Free Tiers: Even with premium alternatives, free tiers of cycling apps offer valuable features, making them accessible to all riders regardless of price.
Technology Integration: Integrating different softwares together for the mother of all biking apps improves the experience by giving multiple streams of real-time data updates.
Time to roll! Don't forget to check out our durable and complimentary phone case accessories to take your ride to another level!