The best bike apps in 2023
Discover our selection of the best apps for cyclists, sorted by category, to make your life easier on two wheels. Whether you're an occasional cyclist or an enthusiast, these apps will help you plan your routes, track your performance and much more.
Applications for planning hiking routes and paths
Komoot
Komoot is a route planning and navigation app dedicated to outdoor activities, including cycling and hiking. Available on iOS and Android, this app is designed to help you find and plan the best routes for your cycling outings. Komoot takes into account all types of bikes (MTBroad bike, city bike, etc.), terrain conditions and personal preferences to suggest routes tailored to your needs.
Komoot application: benefits
With Komoot, you can plan personalized routes based on your preferences, the type of bike you use and your fitness level. You can also define points of interest to further personalize your route. The app offers step-by-step navigation with voice instructions to guide you along your route. Offline maps are also available, allowing you to navigate even without an Internet connection.
As you explore Komoot's features, you'll discover trails and places of interest recommended by other community users thanks to the "Highlights" function. You can also share your own discoveries and give advice to other cyclists. The app records and analyzes your performance, such as distance traveled, elevation gain, average speed and calories burned, so you can track your progress and set goals to improve your fitness.
What's more, Komoot can be synchronized with other popular apps such as Strava, as well as with connected watches and GPS bike computers for even more accurate tracking of your cycling outings. All in all, Komoot is a comprehensive, user-friendly app for cyclists of all levels, offering personalized route planning, detailed navigation and performance tracking to help you make the most of your cycling outings.
Price: Free (Integrated purchasing for regional and global plans)
Compatibility: iOS, Android
Strava
Strava is a fitness tracking and social networking app dedicated to endurance sports such as running and cycling. Available on iOS and Android, Strava lets you track and analyze your performance during cycling outings, as well as connect with other cyclists to share experiences and encourage each other.
Strava application: the benefits
Strava is best known for its segment system. These are stretches of road on which cyclists can compete against each other to establish rankings and earn virtual rewards. This adds an element of friendly competition that can motivate cyclists to excel. Strava is also an excellent tool for tracking and analyzing your performance over the long term, with detailed graphs and statistics.
That's why we hesitated in categorizing Strava, but the app also offers a route-planning feature with recommendations based on the community's popular routes. This can be useful for discovering new circuits and varying your workouts.
Finally, Strava lets you share your activities with other cyclists, which can be a source of motivation and inspiration. You can join local groups, take part in community events and challenges, and even follow the activities of professional cyclists.
Price: Free (Strava Summit subscription for more features: approx. €60/year)
Compatibility: iOS, Android
AllTrails
AllTrails is an app specializing in trail discovery and route planning for hiking, MTB and other outdoor activities. Available on iOS and Android, AllTrails offers a vast database of trails around the world, with detailed information, photos and reviews from other users.
AllTrails application: the benefits
For cyclists, especially MTB enthusiasts, AllTrails is a valuable resource for finding and exploring new trails. The app features filters to search for routes based on difficulty, distance, elevation gain and other criteria relevant to cyclists.
Using AllTrails, you can also plan and save your own routes by plotting a course on the map and adding points of interest. The application also offers downloadable offline maps, so you can navigate even without an Internet connection.
AllTrails integrates a GPS tracking feature to record your bike rides and track your progress. Although less performance- and competition-oriented than Strava, this feature nonetheless lets you keep track of your activities and share your adventures with the community.
All in all, AllTrails is an ideal app for cyclists who want to discover and explore new trails, especially for MTB and wilderness rides.
Price: Free (Pro subscription for more features: approx. €30/year)
Compatibility: iOS, Android
GPS and navigation applications for cyclists
Google Maps
Google Maps is a popular and widely used mapping and navigation app, available on iOS and Android. As well as providing directions for driving, public transport and walking, Google Maps also offers specific routes for cyclists. Although Google Maps isn't specifically designed for cyclists, it's still a very handy way to find your way around.
Google Maps application: the benefits
Google Maps is a simple and reliable tool for finding cycling routes in many parts of the world. The application shows you cycle paths, streets with bicycle facilities and roads with less traffic, taking into account traffic, terrain and distances to suggest suitable routes.
Using Google Maps, you can also get information on points of interest such as bike stores, repair stations and eateries along your route. What's more, the application lets you download offline maps for use without an Internet connection.
Price: Free of charge
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Web
Mapy.cz
Mapy.cz is a mapping and navigation app developed by Seznam.cz, a Czech company. Available on iOS and Android, Mapy.cz offers detailed maps for hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities, with a focus on Central and Eastern European countries.
Mapy.cz application: benefits
Mapy.cz offers detailed cycling maps with information on cycle paths, dirt roads, trails MTB and cycle-friendly roads. The app also features recommended cycling routes to help you plan your outings.
Using Mapy.cz, you can also record and track your cycling trips, as well as download offline maps for use without an Internet connection. Although the app focuses primarily on Central and Eastern European countries, it also offers maps and information for other parts of the world.
Price: Free of charge
Compatibility: iOS, Android
Ride with GPS
Ride with GPS is a dedicated cycling app that focuses on route planning, navigation and performance tracking. Available on iOS and Android, Ride with GPS offers advanced tools for creating, exploring and sharing cycling routes.
Ride with GPS application: the benefits
Ride with GPS offers advanced route-planning features for cyclists, with the ability to create customized routes, add points of interest and modify routes to suit your preferences. The application also offers downloadable offline maps for use without an Internet connection.
Ride with GPS offers step-by-step navigation with voice prompts to guide you along your route. The app also integrates performance tracking features, such as speed, distance, elevation gain and calories burned, so you can analyze and improve your performance over time.
In addition, Ride with GPS offers an online community where cyclists can share their routes, experiences and tips. You can also join groups and participate in community events to connect with other cycling enthusiasts.
In short, Ride with GPS is a complete, user-friendly application for cyclists looking for a navigation and route-planning solution specifically designed for cycling, with advanced features and an online community for sharing and discovering new routes.
Price: Free (Premium subscription for more features: approx. €50/year)
Compatibility: iOS, Android
Performance tracking apps for cyclists
TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks is a sports performance tracking app, particularly popular with endurance athletes and coaches. Available on iOS and Android, it lets you plan, track and analyze your workouts to improve your performance and reach your goals.
TrainingPeaks application: the benefits
TrainingPeaks offers detailed performance analysis tools that go beyond basic measurements such as speed, distance and time. It provides advanced measures such as Training Stress Score (TSS), power output and time in different heart rate zones.
The app also lets you plan structured workouts, adjust your plans according to your performance and recovery, and receive real-time feedback during your workouts. What's more, if you're working with a coach, TrainingPeaks enables effective communication and collaboration, with the ability for the coach to create and adjust your training plans, and for you to share feedback and performance data.
Price: Free (Premium subscription for more features: approx. €120/year)
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Web
MyWindsock
MyWindsock is a unique application that analyzes the impact of wind, weather and terrain on your cycling performance. Available via a web browser, MyWindsock can be linked to Strava to analyze your activities and plan future outings.
Mywindsock application: benefits
With MyWindsock, you can get a detailed analysis of the impact of wind on your performance, including wind direction and speed, and how this affects your speed, power and time. This can be particularly useful when preparing for races and rides on windy roads.
The app also provides detailed weather forecasts for your cycling outings, including temperature, precipitation, air pressure and humidity. What's more, MyWindsock can analyze the terrain of your routes, providing information on gradient, slope and altitude.
All in all, MyWindsock is a valuable application for cyclists seeking to understand and optimize the impact of environmental conditions on their performance.
Price: Free (Premium subscription for more features: approx. €36/year)
Compatibility: Web
Zwift
Zwift is an online training platform that combines cycling and running with gaming. Available on PC, Mac and iOS, Zwift lets you train and run in an interactive virtual environment.
Zwift application: the benefits
Zwift offers a fun, interactive training experience with virtual courses, competitions and challenges. You can pedal on virtual replicas of real courses, such as the French Alps, or explore the fictional worlds created by Zwift. As you pedal, you can interact with other cyclists from around the world, take part in races and challenges, and earn points to upgrade your avatar and unlock new equipment.
Zwift also incorporates detailed performance tracking with data on speed, distance, power, heart rate and other metrics. You can also follow structured training programs designed by professional trainers, or create your own customized workouts.
For bad weather days or specific workouts, Zwift can be an excellent tool for keeping motivation high and maintaining a regular training routine. All you need is a compatible home trainer and a speed or power sensor to turn your electric bike into a virtual training machine.
Price: Monthly subscription (approx. €15/month)
Compatibility: iOS, Android, PC, Mac
Specific applications for electrically-assisted bicycles (EABs)
Bosch eBike Connect
Bosch eBike Connect is an app specifically designed for owners of electric-assist bicycles equipped with a Bosch system. Available on iOS and Android, it lets you customize your bike's settings, track your activities and access detailed information on the condition of your EAB.
The Bosch eBike Connect app lets you customize your EAB's settings, such as assistance level or riding mode, directly from your smartphone. You can also access detailed information on the status of your bike, such as battery charge level, remaining range, distance traveled and other performance statistics.
Specialized Mission Control
Specialized Mission Control is an app developed by Specialized for owners of the brand's electric-assist bikes. Available on iOS and Android, it lets you customize your bike's settings, track your rides and intelligently manageyour battery life.
With the Specialized Mission Control app, you can customize motor assistance to suit your riding style, for an optimal balance between power and range. One of the app's key features is the "Smart Control" mode, which lets you define the duration or distance of your ride, and the app will automatically adjust the assistance to ensure your battery lasts all the way.
Shimano E-TUBE
Shimano E-TUBE is an app developed by Shimano for owners of bikes equipped with Shimano systems. Available on iOS and Android, it lets you customize your bike's settings and update the firmware of your Shimano components.
Shimano E-TUBE lets you customize your EAB's settings, such as assistance level or gear shifting, for a riding experience perfectly tailored to your preferences. You can also use the app to update the firmware of your Shimano components, to make sure your bike is running with the latest enhancements and bug fixes.
The best bike apps 2023: in conclusion
Apps like Komoot, Strava and AllTrails are excellent for planning and discovering new routes. For navigation and GPS tracking, Google Maps, Mapy.cz and Ride with GPS are invaluable tools. For performance tracking, TrainingPeaks, MyWindsock and Zwift (and of course Strava) offer a range of features to help you analyze and improve your performance. Finally, for users of electric-assist bikes, specific applications such as Bosch eBike Connect, Specialized Mission ControlShimanoE-TUBE and Shimano E-TUBE offer easy customization and tracking of your bike.