Horizon Nav offers ad-free open source navigation as a Google Maps alternative

A navigation app that only navigates

Google Maps remains one of the most capable apps on Android, but it has grown into more than a directions tool. According to Android Police, writer Dhruv Bhutani recently replaced it on his phone with Horizon Nav, an open source navigation app, and reports being pleased with the switch.

Horizon Nav takes a driving-first approach. The map sits at the centre of the screen, and the interface draws inspiration from older dedicated devices made by Garmin and TomTom. It shows the current position, upcoming turns, route information and speed, and nothing else.

There are no ads, no business listings and no recommendations. Bhutani notes that the interface can look dated, but argues that this simplicity is the point: the app does one job and does it well.

Deep customisation of the map

Where Horizon Nav stands out, according to the review, is the degree of control it gives over the map itself.

The options go further than most apps offer. It is possible to toggle 3D buildings and streetlights, pin the position of the sun to match the real sky, or add a glow to the map on a moonlit night. There is also a weather-based overlay, though the reviewer says he turned it off because it reduced visibility.

More practical settings are available too. The app can display speed limits and warn about speed camera zones, which the reviewer describes as accurate enough for his use, though not quite on the level of Google Maps.

Offline maps made simpler

Offline navigation is another area where the app differs from Google Maps. Android Police reports that Google's app requires users to draw rectangles on a map to select a region for download. Horizon Nav instead lets users filter by country or city and download the whole region with a tap.

For drivers who regularly pass through areas with poor mobile coverage, such as expressways, this makes it possible to cache a route before setting off and navigate entirely without a connection.

The map data behind the app comes from OpenStreetMap, a community-built, free map database. Horizon Nav does not serve this data itself. Instead, it relies on providers such as Mapbox and TomTom, which the developer says keeps costs manageable for an open source project.

Setup takes a few extra steps

Because the app depends on external mapping providers, installation is more involved than opening a preinstalled app. A user must visit the developer portal for Mapbox or TomTom, create an API token, which is a kind of access key, and paste it into Horizon Nav.

Only one token is needed, and according to the review the free tier is enough for normal use. The reviewer judges this small amount of setup effort worthwhile given what the app offers.

Horizon Nav also supports Android Auto, Google's system for running phone apps on a car's dashboard screen, so it can be used during a normal commute rather than only on the phone.

Privacy as a core feature

Horizon Nav requires no account or login and serves no advertisements. Saved locations and trip logs stay on the device rather than on a company's servers, according to the review.

That local-only approach ties into the app's design. Without ads or accounts to fund it, the project leans on third-party mapping providers instead of running its own infrastructure.

Bhutani writes that the app shows a navigation app does not need to do everything to be good. Readers who want fewer distractions while driving may find the trade-off, slightly weaker place data and a manual setup, an acceptable price for a calmer, private experience.