Best GPS route-tracking apps for motorcyclists in 2026
Most riding apps now cover the same three phases — planning a route beforehand, tracking it live, and reviewing it afterward — but they differ a lot in execution. We used each app across real rides to see which parts of that loop actually work well versus which are there just to check a box.
What we test for
Route-planning tools that actually favor rider-friendly roads over the fastest path. GPS tracking accuracy and battery drain during a full day of riding. And whether the post-ride recap is something you'd actually want to look at again, or just a flat line on a map.
1. Cardo Ride
Built by Cardo Systems as the companion app for their comm units (formerly branded RISER), Cardo Ride handles all three phases well: route planning with a "curvy roads" preference option, live GPS tracking with photo waypoints, and a genuinely nice 3D recap of the ride afterward. It works without a Cardo unit too, though some features are clearly built with their headsets in mind. The community/newsfeed layer is a nice-to-have rather than essential.
Good for
- Riders already using a Cardo communicator
- Anyone who wants a polished, shareable post-ride recap
2. REVER
The strongest pure route-planning tool in this list, with a large community-sourced database of rider-rated roads. Live tracking works well but the recap feature is more utilitarian than Cardo Ride's — a solid map and stats, without the same visual polish.
Good for
- Planning multi-day trips in advance
- Riders who want the largest curated-route database
3. Rever Lite / basic GPS trackers
For riders who just want a reliable track log without route-planning or social features, a stripped-down GPS tracking app uses noticeably less battery over a long day. You lose the curated route suggestions, but for solo point-A-to-B riding it's a reasonable trade.
Good for
- Battery-conscious multi-day touring
- Riders who don't need route suggestions or social features
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Cardo communicator to use Cardo Ride?
No — Cardo Ride works as a standalone app on iOS and Android. Some integration features are naturally tailored toward Cardo's own hardware, but the core planning, tracking, and recap features don't require owning one.
How much battery do these apps use during a full riding day?
Continuous GPS tracking is one of the more battery-intensive things a phone can do, so expect noticeably faster drain than normal use — a battery pack or bike-mounted charger is worth having on longer rides regardless of which app you use.
Is Cardo GPS Reviews affiliated with Cardo Systems or REVER?
No. Cardo GPS Reviews is an independent site. We test publicly available versions of each app and are not paid by these companies for placement in our roundups. See our About page for our full review process.
Setting up GPS on a Cardo unit specifically? See our Cardo GPS & Cardo Ride setup guide. Looking for a communicator to pair with your app of choice? See our best motorcycle Bluetooth communicators roundup, or head back to all reviews.