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Maps · head to head

AllTrails vs Google Maps

AllTrails logo

AllTrails

Maps

Discover the best hiking and biking trails

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Maps logo

Google Maps

Maps

Consumer navigation and local search app, distinct from the paid Google Maps Platform developer API

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AllTrails the App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.; Google Maps location history (Timeline) is stored to the Google account unless disabled, and many users are unaware of how much of their movement is retained by default.
  • They diverge on capability: AllTrails covers Trail discovery, Google Maps covers Turn-by-turn navigation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AllTrails and Google Maps actually diverge.

Attributes where AllTrails and Google Maps differ
AttributeAllTrailsGoogle Maps
Pricing modelfreemiumFree consumer app, funded by Google's advertising business
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Ios, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AllTrails

  • Trail discovery
  • GPS navigation
  • Activity recording
  • Trail reviews
  • Apple Health
  • Garmin
  • Apple Watch
  • Fitbit

Only in Google Maps

  • Turn-by-turn navigation
  • Local search
  • Street View
  • Timeline location history
  • Live transit and incident reporting

Both cover

  • Offline maps

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AllTrails

  • Trail discoverynot Google Maps
  • Hiking navigationnot Google Maps
  • Outdoor fitness trackingnot Google Maps

Google Maps

  • Getting turn-by-turn driving or transit directions to a destinationnot AllTrails
  • Searching for and comparing nearby restaurants, shops or services with reviewsnot AllTrails
  • Downloading an offline map before travelling somewhere with unreliable data coveragenot AllTrails
  • Checking real time traffic conditions before or during a drivenot AllTrails

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AllTrails

  • The App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.

Google Maps

  • Location history (Timeline) is stored to the Google account unless disabled, and many users are unaware of how much of their movement is retained by default.
  • Local business rankings and prominent ads mix paid placement with organic results, so top results are not purely a relevance ranking.
  • Offline maps expire after a period and must be manually refreshed, which can catch travellers out if they rely on an old download without checking it.
  • Public transit data quality varies significantly by city and country, and is considerably weaker or absent in many smaller or lower-income regions.
  • It is a different product from Google Maps Platform, the paid developer API, and businesses evaluating navigation for their own app need to compare that API's pricing separately rather than assuming free consumer access extends to embedding.

Pricing, plan by plan

AllTrails

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Trail search
    • Community reviews
    • Basic maps
  • AllTrails+$35.99/year
    • Offline maps
    • Real-time navigation
    • Trail conditions

Google Maps

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited navigation and local search
    • Offline maps included
    • No subscription tier for the consumer app

Which should you pick?

Choose AllTrails if

  • You need trail discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want gps navigation.
AllTrails review

Choose Google Maps if

  • You need turn-by-turn navigation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want local search.
Google Maps review

Questions people ask

Is AllTrails or Google Maps better?
Neither clearly leads. AllTrails starts at Free and Google Maps at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AllTrails or Google Maps?
AllTrails starts at Free and Google Maps at Free.
Does AllTrails or Google Maps run on more platforms?
AllTrails runs on Ios, Android, Web. Google Maps runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use AllTrails for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AllTrails best used for?
AllTrails is most often used for trail discovery, hiking navigation, outdoor fitness tracking. Of those, trail discovery and hiking navigation are not what Google Maps is typically brought in for.
What can AllTrails do that Google Maps cannot?
AllTrails covers Trail discovery, GPS navigation, Activity recording, Trail reviews. Google Maps covers Turn-by-turn navigation, Local search, Street View, Timeline location history. Both handle Offline maps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AllTrails: Is AllTrails free to use?

AllTrails offers both free and paid membership options. The basic free tier allows users to explore trails, see maps, and access core features for discovering hiking and outdoor activities.

Source
Google Maps: Is Google Maps free?

Yes, the consumer app is free with no subscription for navigation, local search or offline maps.

AllTrails: Can I create custom routes on AllTrails?

Yes, AllTrails allows users to build and edit custom trails. The platform provides route converter tools and options to print custom maps for your own trail designs.

Source
Google Maps: Is this the same as Google Maps Platform?

No, Google Maps Platform is a separate, metered API product sold to developers embedding map functionality into their own apps and websites, with its own usage-based pricing.

Google Maps: Does Google Maps track my location history?

It can, through the optional Timeline feature, which is on by default in some configurations and can be reviewed or disabled in Google account settings.

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