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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Citymapper vs Gaia GPS

Citymapper logo

Citymapper

Maps & Navigation

The ultimate urban mobility app for city commuters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Gaia GPS logo

Gaia GPS

Maps & Navigation

Premium backcountry navigation for outdoor adventurers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Citymapper citymapper's own App Store listing states live transit and turn-by-turn features work only in a named list of specific cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and dozens of other listed cities), not globally, per the developer's own description.; Gaia GPS gaia GPS Premium requires an Outside+ subscription and account, per the App Store listing
  • They diverge on capability: Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, Gaia GPS covers Topo maps.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Citymapper and Gaia GPS actually diverge.

Attributes where Citymapper and Gaia GPS differ
AttributeCitymapperGaia GPS
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Founded20112008

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

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 Citymapper

  • Multi-modal routing
  • Real-time departures
  • Live bus tracking
  • Disruption alerts
  • Walking directions
  • Uber
  • Lyft
  • Lime

Only in Gaia GPS

  • Topo maps
  • Satellite imagery
  • Offline maps
  • Track recording
  • Waypoint management
  • Garmin inReach
  • Apple Watch
  • Garmin Connect

Both cover

  • SSL encryption
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Citymapper

  • Daily commutingnot Gaia GPS
  • City explorationnot Gaia GPS
  • Trip planningnot Gaia GPS
  • Mobility as a servicenot Gaia GPS

Gaia GPS

  • Offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travelnot Citymapper
  • Trail discovery and uploading in remote areasnot Citymapper
  • 4x4 off-road and overlanding navigationnot Citymapper
  • Ski touring and backcountry skiing navigationnot Citymapper

Where each one falls short

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

Citymapper

  • Citymapper's own App Store listing states live transit and turn-by-turn features work only in a named list of specific cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and dozens of other listed cities), not globally, per the developer's own description.

Gaia GPS

  • Gaia GPS Premium requires an Outside+ subscription and account, per the App Store listing
  • Subscription auto-renews unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, per the App Store listing

Pricing, plan by plan

Citymapper

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Multi-modal routing
    • Real-time departures
    • Basic navigation
  • Citymapper Premium$4.99/month
    • Live location sharing
    • Weather integration
    • Widgets

Gaia GPS

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gaia GPS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Citymapper if

  • You need multi-modal routing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want real-time departures.
Citymapper review

Choose Gaia GPS if

  • You need topo maps.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want satellite imagery.
Gaia GPS review

Questions people ask

Is Citymapper or Gaia GPS better?
Neither clearly leads. Citymapper starts at Free and Gaia GPS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Citymapper or Gaia GPS?
Citymapper starts at Free and Gaia GPS at Free.
Does Citymapper or Gaia GPS run on more platforms?
Citymapper runs on Ios, Android, Web. Gaia GPS runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Citymapper for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Citymapper best used for?
Citymapper is most often used for daily commuting, city exploration, trip planning, mobility as a service. Of those, daily commuting and city exploration are not what Gaia GPS is typically brought in for.
What can Citymapper do that Gaia GPS cannot?
Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, Real-time departures, Live bus tracking, Disruption alerts. Gaia GPS covers Topo maps, Satellite imagery, Offline maps, Track recording. Both handle SSL encryption, Ios support, Android support, Web support.
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