Cycling has evolved beyond just bikes and trails; it’s now a tech-integrated experience. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting, the right apps can revolutionize your ride. With a plethora of options available, finding the Best Bike App can feel overwhelming. Fear not, as we’ve curated a list of top-tier cycling applications to elevate every aspect of your biking journey in 2025.
From meticulously tracking your performance to navigating unknown terrains and even providing crucial maintenance tips, these apps are your digital co-pilots. This guide, recommended by the experts at usabikers.net, dives deep into 19 of the most indispensable apps for cyclists, ensuring you’re equipped with the best bike app for every need.
We’ve explored a diverse range of cycling apps compatible with both iPhone and Android, spanning from in-depth training platforms to user-friendly social networks and essential navigation tools. Many of these apps seamlessly integrate with Bluetooth accessories like heart rate monitors, speed sensors, and power meters, transforming your smartphone into a powerful cycling computer.
While some apps are entirely free, others operate on a freemium model, offering basic features for free with premium upgrades for advanced functionalities. Investing in premium features or subscriptions can unlock significant benefits, especially when paired with best indoor training apps or best smart trainers for optimized indoor workouts.
However, be mindful that GPS-intensive cycling apps can drain your phone’s battery quickly. For longer rides, consider portable chargers or dedicated best bike computers which offer extended battery life.
This comprehensive guide is designed to help you discover the best bike app tailored to your specific cycling style and goals. Let’s explore the top contenders in various categories.
Best Bike Apps for Ride Tracking: Monitor Your Miles and Metrics
For cyclists keen on data and progress, ride tracking apps are essential. These best bike app options meticulously record your rides, displaying vital statistics like speed, distance, route, and elevation gain, providing invaluable insights into your performance and improvements over time.
Leading the pack in this category is Strava, a powerhouse app that goes beyond basic tracking, offering a rich ecosystem of features including segments, leaderboards, and route planning.
Strava
Strava app interface showing ride tracking and social features
Strava stands out as a premier best bike app due to its robust social networking capabilities. While many cyclists utilize GPS computers for ride recording and uploading, Strava’s app becomes the hub for social interaction and performance analysis.
Rides uploaded to Strava automatically generate rankings on popular stretches of road or trail – known as ‘segments’ – and provide a detailed GPS map of your route. The real-time segment feature, a favorite among competitive cyclists, displays your live performance against your personal best or the segment leader, directly on your smartphone or compatible cycling computer.
Strava’s defining feature is its thriving social platform. Mirroring social media networks, you can connect with friends, fellow cyclists, and clubs to share rides, exchange kudos, leave comments, and send direct messages. This social aspect transforms cycling from a solo activity to a connected community experience, making Strava a truly engaging best bike app.
In recent years, Strava has shifted towards a subscription model, placing features like segment leaderboards and route planning behind a paywall. Despite price adjustments, the value Strava offers, especially its social and competitive elements, remains compelling for many cyclists seeking the best bike app for social ride tracking and engagement.
Strava also integrates ‘Points of Interest’ such as cafes and bike shops into its maps, enhancing route discovery and ride planning directly within the app.
- Price: Free (Premium version available: £8.99 monthly; £54.99 annually)
- Download: Strava for iOS or Strava for Android
- Join the BikeRadar Strava club: BikeRadar Strava club
MapMyRide
MapMyRide app interface displaying route and ride stats
MapMyRide, true to its name, excels in mapping and ride tracking. This best bike app mirrors Cyclemeter in functionality but leverages its parent company’s extensive history in online route mapping.
MapMyRide is not just for tracking rides; it’s a comprehensive fitness companion. It allows users to monitor nutrition, weight, and more, alongside detailed cycling metrics. The app also offers navigational assistance, guiding you to your destination using bike-friendly routes.
Upgrading to the premium version unlocks advanced features such as personalized training plans, enhanced routing options, and live tracking, allowing friends and family to follow your ride in real-time. The premium subscription also removes advertisements, providing a cleaner, more streamlined user experience, making MapMyRide a strong contender for the best bike app for integrated tracking and planning.
- Price: Free (Premium version available: $5.99 monthly; $29.99 yearly)
- Download: MapMyRide for iOS or MapMyRide for Android
Best Bike Apps for Route Planning and Navigation: Explore New Horizons
Route planning and navigation apps are crucial for cyclists eager to discover new roads, trails, and destinations. These best bike app solutions empower you to design your own routes or explore paths shared by other riders, opening up a world of cycling possibilities.
Some apps even automate route creation by simply entering a destination, perfect for spontaneous adventures or efficient urban cycling. Bikemap stands out as a versatile and user-friendly option in this category.
Bikemap
Bikemap app showing route planning and map interface
Bikemap is a dedicated route-planning and navigation app available for both iPhone and Android. As a best bike app for navigation, it offers comprehensive features including route creation, turn-by-turn directions, real-time updates, and a vast library of user-generated routes.
Bikemap serves as a compelling alternative to Strava and Komoot for route planning, offering a robust free version with more features accessible without subscription. While Strava and Komoot have their unique strengths, Bikemap provides a balanced and feature-rich experience for route-centric cyclists.
A standout feature is Bikemap’s real-time update system, enabling users to report road hazards or route issues to other Bikemap users. While its utility might be more pronounced in densely cycled urban areas, it highlights Bikemap’s commitment to community and rider safety.
The app boasts an extensive archive of over seven million user-created routes, along with curated route collections and in-app ride statistics, offering endless inspiration and data for your cycling adventures.
While many features are free, Bikemap Premium unlocks enhanced mapping options, including cycling-optimized map layers, voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, 3D route previews, and offline navigation capabilities. This premium upgrade solidifies Bikemap’s position as a leading best bike app for navigation and route planning.
- Price: Free (Premium version available – £9 / €9 / $12 / AU$14.99 / monthly; £35 / €39 / $49 / AU$59.99/ annually; £89 / €99 / $99 / AU$179.99 one-off payment for lifetime access)
- Download: Bikemap for iOS or Bikemap for Android
Google Maps
Google Maps app showing bike route navigation
Google Maps, a ubiquitous navigation tool, also serves as a surprisingly effective best bike app for everyday cycling, especially in urban environments. Leveraging Google’s search prowess and user-friendly interface, Google Maps provides reliable bike-specific navigation.
While not designed specifically for long-distance cycling adventures, Google Maps excels at quick, point-to-point navigation within cities and towns. Its integration with Google Search allows you to easily find bike shops, cafes, or points of interest en route, making it a highly practical best bike app for urban cyclists.
Google Maps’ bike routing considers bike paths and bike-friendly roads, aiming to provide safer and more pleasant routes compared to general car navigation. While not always perfect, it’s continually improving and remains a top choice for on-the-fly navigation needs.
The audio turn-by-turn directions are particularly useful, allowing you to keep your phone in your pocket and navigate by voice prompts, enhancing safety and convenience, especially for headphone users. For its ease of use and widespread availability, Google Maps is a valuable, free best bike app for navigation.
- Price: Free
- Download: Google Maps for iOS or Google Maps for Android
Komoot
Komoot app interface showing route details and map
Komoot distinguishes itself as a best bike app by offering in-depth route information and specialized routing for various cycling disciplines. While Google Maps provides general navigation, Komoot focuses on crafting optimal routes for road, mountain bike, gravel, and commuting rides.
Komoot utilizes OpenStreetMap data and prioritizes bike-friendliness and efficiency in its routing. It considers road surfaces, path types, and even your fitness level to suggest the most suitable route, going beyond simple point-to-point directions.
When planning a route, Komoot provides comprehensive details including difficulty level, fitness requirements, surface types, and an elevation profile. Once you start your ride, it displays real-time metrics like speed, distance traveled, and remaining distance, with easy on-the-fly route adjustments. Komoot also excels at suggesting local routes and points of interest through curated highlights from local cyclists and ambassadors, enhancing route discovery and local exploration.
In June 2024, Komoot introduced Gravel Routes, a collection of 160,000 pre-designed gravel biking routes, catering specifically to the growing gravel cycling community. A premium subscription unlocks features like multi-day route planning and live tracking, further enhancing Komoot’s capabilities as a leading best bike app for route planning and adventure cycling.
- Price: First map region free, subsequent map regions £3.99 / €3.99 / $3.99 (Premium costs £59.99 / €59.99 / $59.99 annually)
- Download: Komoot for iOS or Komoot for Android
Ride with GPS
Ride with GPS app interface showing route planning on smartphone
Ride with GPS is a best bike app renowned for its detailed route planning, navigation accuracy, and robust data recording capabilities. It enables cyclists to plan and navigate rides directly from their smartphones with a user-friendly interface.
The app stands out for its offline navigation, making it invaluable for rides in remote areas or long journeys where battery conservation is crucial. Its route data is exceptionally detailed, featuring zoomable elevation profiles that pinpoint the location and intensity of climbs along your route.
Real-time ride sharing is another useful feature, allowing you to share your location and progress with contacts, and even receive audio feedback on comments as you ride, adding a motivational and social element.
The free version offers route creation and ride recording, along with goal setting. Basic and Premium subscriptions unlock advanced features such as turn-by-turn navigation, live logging, offline maps, advanced route editing, custom cue sheets, and stationary bike support, positioning Ride with GPS as a highly versatile best bike app for serious cyclists and route enthusiasts.
- Price: Free; Basic costs £6 /€6 / $6 monthly or £50 / €50 / $50 yearly; Premium costs £10 / €10 / $10 monthly or £80 / €80 / $80 yearly
- Download: Ride with GPS for iOS or Ride with GPS for Android
OS Maps
OS Maps, the digital rendition of Ordnance Survey maps, is a unique best bike app for cyclists in the UK, providing access to highly detailed cartographic data of the entire region. While paper OS Maps are cherished for their detail and beauty, the OS Maps app offers unparalleled practicality and digital convenience.
While perhaps not as cycling-centric as other apps in terms of features, OS Maps serves as an exceptional research and planning tool for cyclists. It allows you to plot and record rides but shines as a resource for exploring and understanding terrain, especially for off-road and adventure cycling.
The app’s map overlays are particularly useful for cyclists. The Greenspace overlay highlights grassy areas for potential off-road routes, while the National Cycle Network overlay displays quieter lanes and family-friendly paths.
The free version provides online access to standard, aerial, and night maps. A subscription unlocks premium features, including offline access to the detailed 1:25,000 (Explorer) and 1:50,000 (Landranger) maps. Landranger maps are ideal for planning long rides and multi-day tours, showing towns and campsites, while Explorer maps are invaluable for detailed terrain analysis for gravel or mountain biking, differentiating byways, bridleways, and footpaths.
OS Maps is best used as a research tool to identify routes and terrain, which can then be exported and used in other cycling GPS apps like Komoot for navigation, making it a powerful best bike app in combination with other specialized cycling applications. Recent updates in March 2024 enhanced navigation and personalization features, further improving its usability.
- Price: Free or £6.99 monthly / £34.99 annually for premium subscription
- Download: OS Maps for iOS or OS Maps for Android
Best Bike Apps for Fitness: Train Smarter, Ride Stronger
Fitness-focused cycling apps are designed to help you track and enhance your performance over time. These best bike app options often integrate with external sensors like heart rate monitors and power meters to provide a comprehensive dataset for analyzing and improving your training.
Apps like TrainingPeaks offer structured training plans tailored to various fitness levels and cycling goals, guiding you towards achieving peak performance.
TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks app interface showing training plan and metrics
TrainingPeaks is a premier best bike app for cyclists and coaches seeking in-depth training analysis and structured workout planning. If you’ve worked with a cycling coach, or are serious about data-driven training, TrainingPeaks is likely a familiar platform.
It’s a comprehensive tool for tracking fitness, fatigue, and performance metrics, catering to everyone from professional coaches and high-performance athletes to data enthusiasts seeking to optimize their training.
TrainingPeaks is not a social network or navigation app; its strength lies in its training-centric features. The app allows you to create and schedule workouts, choose from a vast library of training plans designed by renowned coaches like Joe Friel and Frank Overton, and meticulously analyze your training data. For structured, data-driven training, TrainingPeaks is a top-tier best bike app.
- Price: Free (premium versions from $19.95 monthly)
- Download: TrainingPeaks for iOS or TrainingPeaks for Android
Cyclemeter
Cyclemeter app interface showing ride data and customizable displays
Cyclemeter transforms your smartphone into a powerful, customizable cycling computer. If you’re comfortable mounting your phone on your handlebars, Cyclemeter offers an impressive array of features, making it a versatile best bike app for fitness tracking.
Similar to Wahoo Fitness, Cyclemeter provides extensive customization options for data displays during rides and a wealth of post-ride analysis. Notably, all data remains locally on your device, offering privacy and offline access.
Convenience features include start/stop ride controls via iPhone earphone remote buttons (useful for headphone users) and integrated Google Maps for navigation assistance. Cyclemeter also integrates seamlessly with social platforms like Strava, Facebook, and Twitter, and supports easy route import and export. For its blend of features, customization, and data privacy, Cyclemeter is a strong contender for a best bike app for fitness tracking.
- Price Free (in-app upgrades available for $9.99 each)
- Download Cyclemeter for iOS or Cyclemeter for Android
Best Bike Apps for Indoor Training: Turbocharge Your Indoor Workouts
Indoor training apps have revolutionized the experience of riding on a turbo trainer, transforming monotonous indoor sessions into engaging and effective workouts. These best bike app solutions help you overcome bad weather or time constraints, making indoor cycling an enjoyable and productive part of your training regime.
Some indoor training apps focus on structured workouts and training plans based on power output and intervals, while others offer immersive virtual worlds and social racing environments. Here are some of the leading best bike app choices for indoor cycling.
Wahoo SYSTM
Wahoo SYSTM provides access to the Wahoo X training platform, offering a unique approach to indoor cycling training compared to virtual world apps like Zwift. As a best bike app for structured training, Wahoo SYSTM focuses on workout quality and effectiveness.
Instead of virtual worlds, Wahoo SYSTM offers simulations of pro race finales and the “On Location” feature, allowing you to ride along with videos of real-world roads, adding visual engagement to structured workouts.
Following Wahoo’s acquisition of The Sufferfest, SYSTM continues the tradition of no-frills, highly effective workout galleries. It’s designed for dedicated athletes who prefer structured training plans and workout variety, with options for both indoor and outdoor sessions.
Wahoo SYSTM personalizes training schedules using its Four Dimensional Power Profile (4DP), which assesses your strengths and weaknesses to create a bespoke training plan, offering a more nuanced fitness assessment than a traditional Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test. For serious indoor training with a focus on structured workouts and data-driven progress, Wahoo SYSTM is a top best bike app choice.
- Price: Free 14-day trial for new users, then $14.99 monthly or $129.99 annually
- Download: Wahoo SYSTM for iOS or Wahoo SYSTM for Android / Wahoo RGT for iOS or Wahoo RGT for Android
Zwift
Zwift app interface showing virtual cycling world and riders
Zwift has revolutionized indoor cycling, transforming it into a social, engaging, and highly effective training experience. As a leading best bike app for indoor cycling, Zwift connects riders worldwide in immersive virtual worlds.
Using an internet connection, turbo trainer, and compatible device, cyclists can ride, train, and race together within Zwift’s virtual environments. Beyond effective training through built-in workouts and training plans, Zwift fosters social interaction and breaks the monotony of indoor riding.
Zwift offers diverse virtual worlds, group rides, races, and structured workouts, catering to all fitness levels and training goals. Its gamified approach, social features, and engaging environments make Zwift a highly motivating best bike app for indoor cycling.
- Price: £17.99 / $19.99 per month
- Download: Zwift for iOS or Zwift for Android
Rouvy
Rouvy app interface showing augmented reality cycling route
Rouvy distinguishes itself as a best bike app for indoor cycling by offering real-life routes and augmented reality courses. Unlike Zwift’s virtual worlds, Rouvy uses video recordings of real roads combined with elevation data to create an interactive and realistic riding experience.
Rouvy provides a more realistic simulation of outdoor riding, using actual road footage and elevation profiles. On select courses, the app incorporates animated 3D riders, enhancing the immersive experience.
Beyond augmented reality, Rouvy offers a vast library of route films to ‘ride’ through, providing endless visual variety and entertainment for indoor workouts. Available on iOS, Android, PC, and Apple TV, Rouvy offers broad accessibility, making it a compelling best bike app for realistic indoor cycling experiences.
- Price: $14.99 monthly
- Download: Rouvy for iOS or Rouvy for Android
TrainerRoad
TrainerRoad app interface showing structured workout data and graphs
TrainerRoad takes a stripped-back, data-focused approach to indoor training, distinguishing itself from visually immersive apps like Zwift and Wahoo SYSTM. As a best bike app for serious training gains, TrainerRoad prioritizes effectiveness and structured workouts.
Instead of virtual worlds and social features, TrainerRoad focuses solely on making you faster through personalized training plans and data analysis. It claims to use AI to dynamically adjust your training plan based on your performance in each session, optimizing workout difficulty for maximum gains.
TrainerRoad emphasizes data and performance, making it ideal for cyclists who prioritize structured training and measurable improvements. Available on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, TrainerRoad is a highly effective best bike app for cyclists serious about indoor training and performance optimization.
- Price: $21.99 monthly / $209.99 annually
- Download: TrainerRoad for iOS or TrainerRoad for Android
Best Apps for Mountain Biking: Conquer the Trails
While many cycling apps cater to road cycling, dedicated mountain biking apps are essential for off-road enthusiasts. These best bike app solutions help you discover trails, navigate challenging terrain, and make the most of your mountain biking adventures.
Trailforks
Trailforks app interface showing mountain bike trail map and details
Trailforks stands out as the premier best bike app for mountain bikers, offering a comprehensive database of crowd-sourced trail maps and conditions worldwide. With over 161,000 trails globally, Trailforks provides up-to-date trail information, conditions reports, live tracking, and points of interest like bike shops.
Trailforks relies on user contributions to maintain its extensive and current trail database, ensuring riders have access to the latest trail information. Maps are downloadable for offline use, crucial for riding in areas with limited or no cell service.
The app includes an emergency info function that generates your precise GPS coordinates and the nearest trail name, enhancing safety in remote locations. The free version offers full access to one region and partial access for emergency navigation elsewhere. The pro version unlocks unlimited worldwide maps and downloadable routes, making Trailforks an indispensable best bike app for mountain bike trail discovery and navigation.
- Price: Free or €2.49 monthly for pro
- Download: Trailforks for iOS or Trailforks for Android
More Essential Bike Apps: Beyond the Ride
Beyond core categories like tracking, navigation, and training, a range of other cycling apps enhance different aspects of the cycling experience. These best bike app options cover bike maintenance, first aid, weather forecasting, and entertainment, providing valuable tools for every cyclist.
What3words
What3words app interface showing three-word address location
What3words offers a unique and precise location system, assigning a unique three-word combination to every 3m x 3m square on Earth. This innovative approach makes it a valuable best bike app for precise location sharing and navigation, especially in areas with ambiguous addresses or remote locations.
The app is designed for communicating precise locations, whether for meeting friends, marking a tent at a festival, or directing emergency services to an exact spot in a remote area. While not foolproof, it provides a quick and easy way to communicate your location without needing grid references or coordinates.
What3words integrates with navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze, allowing you to use three-word addresses for precise navigation. Voice command functionality further enhances its usability, making it a practical best bike app for location sharing and precise navigation.
- Price: Free
- Download: What3words for iOS or What3words for Android
First Aid by British Red Cross
First Aid by British Red Cross app interface showing first aid guidance
The First Aid by British Red Cross app is an essential best bike app for safety and preparedness. While a first aid course is invaluable, this app serves as an excellent supplementary resource, providing crucial information and guidance in emergency situations.
Using videos, quizzes, and step-by-step advice, the app helps you learn how to handle common first aid emergencies and acts as a readily available reference when incidents occur on a ride. All information is stored offline, ensuring accessibility even without a data connection. For cyclists prioritizing safety, this app is an indispensable tool.
- Price: Free
- Download: First Aid by British Red Cross for iOS or First Aid by British Red Cross for Android
Relive
Relive app creating 3D video flyover of a bike ride
Relive adds a fun and visual dimension to ride tracking by creating 3D video flyovers of your cycling routes. Using ride data from platforms like Wahoo, Garmin Connect, and MapMyRide, Relive generates engaging videos that visualize your ride progress, elevation profiles, and photos taken along the way.
The moving map in Relive videos showcases your route, highlights top speed locations, elevation changes, and integrates photos, creating shareable and visually appealing ride summaries. While Strava integration is no longer available, Relive remains a fun and creative best bike app for visualizing and sharing your cycling adventures.
- Price: Free or Relive Plus premium version — first 30 days are free then £6.99 monthly / £38.99 yearly
- Download: Relive for iOS or Relive for Android
DotWatcher.cc
DotWatcher.cc website interface showing long-distance race tracking
DotWatcher.cc is a must-visit web app for enthusiasts of long-distance cycling races. Managed by experienced long-distance racers, DotWatcher provides tracking maps, insights, and analysis for major endurance cycling events.
While not a dedicated mobile app, the DotWatcher website is highly mobile-optimized, allowing you to track races on the go. Recent updates include rider profiles, making it easier to follow your favorite long-distance cycling heroes. For those captivated by ultra-endurance cycling, DotWatcher.cc is an essential best bike app (web app) for race tracking and insights.
- Price Free
- Visit DotWatcher.cc
MyWindsock
MyWindsock website interface showing wind direction and intensity map
MyWindsock is a nerdy but brilliant web app for cyclists obsessed with weather conditions, particularly wind. As a best bike app (web app) for weather analysis, MyWindsock pulls weather data and overlays heat maps onto Strava segments or planned routes, showing wind direction and intensity.
This allows cyclists to identify segments with favorable wind conditions for KOM/QOM attempts or adjust race strategies based on wind forecasts. While niche, MyWindsock is invaluable for data-driven cyclists seeking to optimize performance based on weather conditions, making it a unique and powerful tool.
- Price Free or premium features from $2.08 monthly
- Visit MyWindsock.com
Conclusion: Choose the Best Bike App to Elevate Your Cycling Experience
Cycling apps have become indispensable tools for modern cyclists, offering a wide range of functionalities to enhance every aspect of the sport. From precise ride tracking and route navigation to structured fitness training and safety features, the best bike app can significantly improve your cycling experience.
Whether you prioritize performance data, route discovery, social connectivity, or indoor training, there’s a best bike app tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Explore the apps highlighted in this guide, experiment with different features, and discover the digital companions that will transform your cycling journey in 2025 and beyond. Embrace the power of technology and ride smarter, safer, and with more enjoyment using the best bike app for you.
