5 Top Picks for the Best Route Planner App
We take a look at some of the best mobile route planner apps available on the Android & iOS stores
Finding the ideal route planner app can transform the way you manage deliveries. With numerous options available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the most suitable route planner app for your business. To assist you in making an informed decision in finding the best app for route planning, we have created this comprehensive guide.
In this guide, we will explore various factors to consider when selecting a route planner app. We'll explore critical aspects like user-friendly interfaces, cutting-edge optimization algorithms, real-time traffic updates, seamless integration with other software or devices, cost-effectiveness, and the support you can rely on. By evaluating these aspects, you can determine which route planning app aligns best with your specific requirements and budget.
By the end of this guide, you will have gained a thorough understanding of the factors to consider, the features to prioritize and the experiences of other users.
Key Features to Look For in a Route Planner App
Which Route Planner App is Right For Me?
What is a Route Planner App?
A route planner app is incredibly helpful for both teams and solo drivers when it comes to delivering items to homes and businesses. Delivery operations heavily rely on route planning to ensure efficiency and timely completion of tasks. By utilizing route planners, individuals and businesses can optimize their delivery routes, reduce the time spent on deliveries, automate notifications when orders are near their final destinations and easily document proof of delivery.
SmartRoutes Route Planner App
Streamline your entire delivery process, all from one platform
Key Features to Look For in a Route Planner App
Some specific considerations to take into account when you are looking for the best routing app:
1. Route planner usability
When it comes to mobile apps, one of the most important characteristics is always going to be the UX (user experience). When it comes to route planner apps, the user experience takes on an even bigger level of importance.
If you’re relying on a mobile app to do your job to the best of your ability, you want it to do exactly what you want with minimal effort and stress. In particular, if a mobile app is out on the road, you don’t want to have to pull over to reroute to look for your next stop. Even things like dispatch notes telling the driver that this is a no-contact delivery can be crucial.
A clean interface is one of the most important things for you features you’ll need in a route planner app. A great user experience means that you are in the best possible mindset (no stress) to focus on making those deliveries or meeting your sales targets.
Finally, integrations with ERP, CRM or eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify need to be simple and clear to use.
2. Route planner reliability
Route planner reliability is of utmost importance when it comes to mobile apps, as there is nothing more frustrating than encountering crashes or technical issues at critical moments. While desktop and browser-based applications generally offer higher stability, some mobile apps may fall short in terms of reliability. In the case of route planner apps, where time is crucial and efficient navigation is essential, any unexpected crashes can significantly disrupt your day, causing delays in your journey and negatively impacting your workflow.
When relying on routing apps, every minute is valuable, and any lost time due to app crashes can have a direct impact on your overall performance. For example, if you're a delivery driver, a delay caused by an unreliable route planner app could result in missed delivery windows or extended delivery times. This can lead to dissatisfied customers, potential financial losses and a tarnished professional reputation.
To ensure optimal performance and avoid such setbacks, it is crucial to select a route planner app that has a reputation for reliability and stability. This means choosing an app that has been thoroughly tested, regularly updated and optimized for the specific mobile platform (iOS or Android) you are using. In addition to reliability, it is beneficial to consider the responsiveness of the app's support team. In the event of any issues or unexpected crashes, a reliable route planner app should have a responsive customer support system in place. This ensures that if you do encounter any problems, you can quickly reach out for assistance and receive prompt resolutions to minimize disruptions to your workflow.
3. Good value for money
When it comes to selecting a route planner app, finding the best value for your money is crucial, especially if you're looking for a standalone mobile app dedicated to creating and managing routes. Not all apps are equal in terms of features and capabilities, and distinguishing between free, freemium, and paid apps can sometimes be challenging based solely on the description provided in app stores.
Free route planner apps often come with certain limitations that can impact their usefulness. For example, they may impose a maximum number of stops per route or offer limited additional features compared to their paid counterparts. These limitations can hinder your ability to efficiently plan and manage routes, especially if you have complex or extensive routing requirements. On the other hand, paid route planner apps typically offer a more comprehensive range of features and greater flexibility. By investing in a paid app, you gain access to advanced functionalities that can significantly enhance your route planning and management experience.
To determine the best value delivery route planner app for your specific needs, it is essential to first identify your requirements. Consider factors such as the complexity of your routes, the number of stops you typically need to plan for, the need for advanced features like traffic optimization, and the level of support you expect.
Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, you can then evaluate different route planner apps and their pricing structures to determine the most cost-effective option.
4. Customer support
Customer support is a crucial aspect to consider when selecting a route planner app. Even the most exceptional apps may occasionally encounter issues or require assistance. In such situations, having a responsive and helpful support team can make a significant difference and alleviate any frustrations or challenges you may encounter.
When an issue arises, being able to reach out to a knowledgeable and attentive support representative can save you time and ensure that you can quickly resume your route planning activities without any major disruptions.
In our exploration of route planner apps, we have identified several providers whose customer support teams have received praise from their users for their responsiveness and effectiveness. These teams have consistently demonstrated a commitment to resolving user issues and providing excellent service.
By selecting a route planner app with a reputable and responsive customer support team, you can have peace of mind knowing that if any issues arise, help is readily available. Whether you encounter technical difficulties, have questions about specific features, or need guidance on optimizing your routes, a responsive support team will be there to assist you.
5 Best Route Planner Apps
Let’s take a look at some of the best route planning apps on the market:
1. SmartRoutes
Price: Starting from €26 p/month (free trial available)
Available on: IOS, Android
SmartRoutes, in our biased opinion, is one of the top-notch route planning apps available for mobile devices. SmartRoutes offers users the ability to create routes with unlimited stops, addressing a major limitation of some other popular apps. With its recent interface update, SmartRoutes now provides a user-friendly solution that allows you to efficiently plan routes in just a matter of minutes.
One of the key advantages of SmartRoutes is its route optimization feature. It goes beyond simply mapping out the stops and ensures that the generated routes are optimized for maximum efficiency. This optimization helps minimize travel time and mileage, ultimately saving you valuable resources. Additionally, SmartRoutes does not have a restriction on the number of stops that you can include in your route (unlike other options in the market!), allowing you to handle complex or extensive routes effortlessly.
In addition to its core route planning functionality, SmartRoutes offers a range of helpful delivery-specific features. You can add dispatch notes to individual stops, providing important instructions or information for each delivery. The app also enables you to capture proof of delivery and driver notes at drop-off points, ensuring you have a comprehensive record of each delivery. This information is conveniently stored in your route history, allowing you to access it at a later date if needed.
Considering the value it provides, SmartRoutes is priced at €29 per month, which can be a worthwhile investment if you rely on a route planner app for your daily operations. To help you make an informed decision, SmartRoutes offers a generous 7-day free trial period. This trial allows you to fully explore the app's features and functionalities, giving you ample time to assess its suitability for your specific needs.
Usability: 5 stars
Reliability: 5 stars
Value for money: 5 stars
Support: 5 stars
2. Google Maps
Price: Free
Available on: IOS, Android
While Google Maps may not offer the most comprehensive features compared to other route planning apps on this list, it still deserves recognition for its longstanding reputation and reliability. As one of the earliest routing and navigation apps available on smartphones, Google Maps has guided countless users to their destinations over the years. While its functionality may be limited in some aspects, it remains a steadfast and dependable option.
Google, as a leader in the technology industry, has established a track record of delivering high-quality products, and Google Maps is no exception. Its reliability and stability have earned the trust of millions of users worldwide. Being a free solution, it has become a default app on Android devices and is also available for free download from the Apple App Store for iOS devices.
One advantage of Google Maps is its accessibility and widespread availability across different platforms. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows for easy navigation and basic route planning.
Two major drawbacks is the 10 stop limit and Google Maps doesn’t actually optimize routes. That is to say, it won’t always find the most efficient route to serve all 10 stops. This can result in suboptimal travel times and increased mileage. If route optimization is a critical factor for your operations, you may want to consider alternative route planning apps that offer more advanced optimization algorithms.
Usability: 4 stars
Reliability: 5 stars
Value for money: 5 stars
Support: 2 stars
3. Circuit Route Planner App
Price: Starting at $100 p/month (Free trial available)
Available on: IOS, Android
Circuit, a well-established route planning app that has gained popularity among delivery drivers and couriers, particularly in the UK, has been serving users for several years. Its solid performance and user-friendly interface have contributed to its positive reception within the industry.
And it’s no surprise.
Circuit is a very solid app and offers a very nice interface that you can pick up a figure out in seconds. We mentioned at the start of this article that usability is one of the most important factors for any mobile routing app you’ll use as part of your job, and Circuit really does nail this.
Circuit for Teams offers a free trial of its app, however, it is important to note that the trial version limits users to 10 stops per route. This constraint may make it challenging to fully gauge the app's capabilities before committing to a subscription. Furthermore, Circuit may lack certain delivery-specific features, such as photo proof-of-delivery and notes, which may be essential for specific work requirements. Evaluating whether these features are necessary for your operations is crucial in determining if Circuit is the right fit for your needs.
Overall though, it’s well reviewed on both iOS and Android. The paid version is pretty expensive starting out at $100 per month per driver for their cheapest package.
Their support team also seem pretty responsive on both stores, so kudos to them on that.
Usability: 5 stars
Reliability: 4 stars
Value for money: 2 stars
Support: 4 stars
4. RoadWarrior Route Planner App
Price: $14.99 p/month (Free trial available)
Available on: IOS, Android
Like Circuit, this one has been around for quite a few years and focused on delivery driver app functionality. It actually predates Circuit, and is more popular in the United States.
RoadWarrior is also available on both Android and iOS, and has a really low price entry point at $14.99 per month. This has made it a hit with Fedex drivers, particularly as they get to grips with unfamiliar routes.
The user interface is a lot more clunky than its SmartRoutes and Circuit counterparts though. We do think this is a drawback for drivers who want to onboard quickly and avoid messing around with their routes on the go.
The free version of the app only offers 8 stops per route, so it isn't much more use than Google Maps. There’s also a limit of 120 stops per route on the $14.99 package so be aware if you are doing super high-density drop routes. This is the only subscription tier they offer and it has much fewer features than others on this list (It’s also an additional $10 p/month to include proof of delivery) however it still is a good entry price point if you’re not needing that many features for your operations.
Some users have noted some issues with navigation and address accuracy too, so it might be something to note if you're using the trial for a few days.
Usability: 3 stars
Reliability: 4 stars
Value for money: 5 stars
Support: 3 stars
5. Zeo Route Planner
Price: €34.99 p/month (Free trial available)
Available on: IOS, Android
This one is a lesser-known route planner but one that merits its inclusion on our list.
The user experience of the Zeo app is one of the best we’ve seen. It is a simple app that lacks a lot of features, but it certainly does what it is supposed to do pretty well.
It has a higher upper limit of stops on the free plan than some of the others on this list like Circuit and RoadWarrior, with a cap of 20. This is an unlimited free usage too so it should give you a good opportunity to see if it suits your needs.
It lacks any delivery management specific functionality that you might want if you're using it as part of your work, but that’s to be expected at $15 per month. In fact, it does allow you to upload driver manifests and use voice input, features that are lacking in some of the others on this list.
It’s very well reviewed on both the Android and Apple stores, so it’s definitely worth checking out. As for support, their help desk is located in India, so this may be an issue for UK or US users. The responses to reviews on the store are a little generic too, so might be something to consider if you are using it on a daily basis.
Usability: 5 stars
Reliability: 4 stars
Value for money: 3 stars
Support: 3 stars
Which Route Planner App is Right For Me?
Simple answer, the one that best serves your needs and gives the best delivery experience for your customers.
Before downloading any of the above, identify how often you will use the app, how many stops you will complete per route and what extra features would be of help.
We have included links to each of the route planning apps websites, so feel free to check them out and download the free versions of each from the respective app stores on your mobile dev device.
If you are completing deliveries as a driver or business, SmartRoutes Android and iOS apps are some of the most complete on this list. You can sign-up for free here.
Frequently asked questions
1. What's the best free route planner app?
When looking for the best free route planner app, you have several options to consider. Two of the most popular choices are Google Maps and MapQuest. These apps offer robust navigation features, including turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates, and the ability to find nearby points of interest. However, it's important to note that while these apps are free to use, they may come with some limitations. For instance, free versions of route planner apps might not offer features like offline maps, multiple stops optimization, or advanced customization options. Additionally, some free apps may display ads, which can be distracting during navigation.
2. Can Google Maps plan a route with multiple stops?
Yes, Google Maps can plan a route with multiple stops, making it a versatile tool for road trips, deliveries, or any situation where you need to visit several locations in a specific order. Unfortunately, Google Maps limits routes to a maximum of 10 stops per route. For most, this isn’t enough and you may need to look into paid alternatives.
3. What Features Should I Look for in a Route Planner App for Deliveries?
When selecting the best route planning app for deliveries or business use, it's essential to consider several key features that can enhance efficiency and productivity. Look for an app that can optimize routes with multiple stops. This feature helps you find the most efficient order to visit all destinations, reducing travel time and fuel costs. An app that allows you to share routes with team members or drivers can be invaluable. It ensures everyone is on the same page and can access route information easily. If you're running a delivery business, choose an app that seamlessly integrates with delivery management systems. This enables you to track orders, manage inventory, and monitor delivery progress in real-time.
4. What is the best route planner app?
SmartRoutes is the best route planner app for delivery drivers. SmartRoutes stands out due to its robust features designed specifically for delivery operations. It offers advanced route optimization, allowing you to plan multiple stops efficiently, which is crucial for minimizing delivery times and fuel costs. The app also provides real-time tracking and the ability to share routes with your team, ensuring seamless coordination and up-to-date information on delivery progress.
5. Is there a better route planner than Google Maps?
Yes, while Google Maps is a powerful and versatile tool for general navigation and short trips, there are specialized apps for route planning that offer more advanced features tailored to specific needs, particularly for businesses and delivery operations. These apps are designed with industry-specific considerations, providing functionalities like route scheduling, delivery tracking, and reporting tools that go beyond what Google Maps offers. They also support a larger number of stops and offer greater flexibility in route customization, making them a superior choice for complex routing needs.
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Caroline Hassett
Michael Santry
