We take our phones with us everywhere and it’s easy to start using the same apps over and over again. As a result, we may be missing out on useful new apps that can enhance the experience of life. Here are the Top 10 best apps for measuring distance on Android, iPhones and Windows Phone – helping you make your journey smoother than ever before.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Measuring Distance
- Smart Measure
A part of a larger suite of smartphone measurement apps, Smart Measure is a widely-used and even more widely-acclaimed distance measurement tools. The app is developed by a Korean Android whiz by the handle of Android Boy, who seems to have a knack for programming fairly accurate smartphone-measurement tools. Smart Measure relies on basic trigonometry to estimate the distance from and the height of a particular object.
Smart Measure Ui
Using the app is fairly straightforward:
Aim the crosshairs at the base of the object you want to measure, and tap the “Get Distance” button on the right side of the display. This will immediately display the distance to the object.
To measure the height of the same object, tap the height-measurement button represented by a tree on the left side while still keeping the crosshairs planted at the base of the object.
Take the crosshairs from the base to the top of the object, and tap the “Get Height” button to record the height.
Both the distance and height measurements will be locked into the display until you tap the “Reset” button for a fresh reading.
The apparent simplicity of this process is also the reason for the odd reviews with negative ratings complaining about inaccuracy. Having tested the app thoroughly and validated its measurements with a good old-fashioned measuring tape, it’s safe to say that most of these negative reviews are down to user errors and calibration oversight.
Since this app relies on the Pythagorean Theorem, the phone has to be at the correct height for optimal measurement accuracy. That means measurements will be wildly inaccurate if you use the app while you’re seated or if you otherwise aren’t in the same horizontal plane as the object that is being measured. The app assumes the height of the user to be 5 foot 9 inches by default, so it’s best to manually calibrate it if you’re taller or shorter.
In fact, it is best to spend a few minutes referring to the comprehensive calibration guide on the official blog for best results. Once the app is dialled in, Smart Measure even beats Google’s own AR measurement app in terms of speed and ease of distance measurement.
- Smart Distance
Smart Distance is another app from the creator of Smart Measure that is optimized for measuring distances further out to a range of a kilometre. While Smart Measure employs trigonometry for distance measurements up to 50 metres, this app relies on perspective estimates to measure objects much farther than that.
Smart Distance Tutorial
Using this distance-measurement app is even simpler compared to Smart Measure. The only catch is that since it uses perspective estimation, you must either know the height or width of the target that you intend to range. The idea is to choose subjects of known dimensions such as people (height of an average person is 1.7m), cars (easy to look up dimensions online), or common objects built to a specific code such as lampposts.
Distance measurement is as simple as aligning parallel green lines to the width or height of the target and entering the same dimensions. This app comes in handy for golfers, who can easily measure any hole in the course by targeting the flags, which have a standardized height of 2.1 metres. Smart Distance also works well for travelers. Measuring famous tourist attractions is easy considering the data about their height is just a quick web search away.
Smart Distance is surprisingly accurate – that is, provided you follow the instructions and know the width or height of the reference subject. Calibration isn’t a hassle because the developer of this app claims to have calibrated it for more than 700 major smartphones, with regular and timely updates being committed to accommodate the latest smartphones.
Also read:
How to Measure the Distance Between Two Points in Google Maps
How to Measure the Distance Between Two Points in Google Maps
- GPS Fields Area Measure
So far we have a fairly intuitive app that’s good up to 50 metres and another that can go up to a kilometre. Both of these apps, however, work on line of sight. That isn’t ideal fr measuring distances longer than a kilometre or in cases where maintaining line of sight isn’t feasible. This includes distance measurement scenarios where you’d want to figure out the length of your long and winding jogging track.
Gps Fields Area Measure
The GPS Fields Area Measure app might have a long name, but it is suitable for equally longer measurements. While it can be argued that Google Maps works well for measuring distances between popular locations, it isn’t particularly intuitive for customized measurement of complicated paths between two points, much like the aforementioned jogging track example.
GPS Fields Area Measure can be used to calculate the distance between two points on a GPS map across a user customizable path. Want to find out how quick the shortcut to the grocery store is? Use this app’s intuitive UI to set a custom route to the store and get an accurate distance measurement. Additionally, you can also use the built-in GPS tracking to actually move from point A to point B to measure the distance between them.
The GPS-enabled nature of the app makes it fairly accurate. This is something I verified by setting a custom path between two points in my locality and then verifying the measurement using the odometer of my car. Not surprisingly, both measurements matched within the margin of error. As an added bonus, the app even allows calculation of area either using the map or by traversing the perimeter in the GPS mode.
Best app for measuring distance walked
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Map My Walk
Map My Walk
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Why We Chose It: MapMyWalk is one of the most comprehensive free apps online. With features like audio feedback, labeled routes, easy-to-see maps, metrics tracking, and data analysis, this app is one you should try.
Pros
Walking route marked in red for easy viewing
Audio feedback as you walk
Easy-to-read charts and graphs
Support community and connect with friends
Create and save custom routes
Cons
Need to upgrade for access to premium features
Advertisements may be annoying
Can freeze while in use
MapMyWalk is part of the MapMyFitness family of apps. It has stood the test of time and deserves first consideration for any fitness walker. These are some of its best features:
When you start a workout, you can see a map of the area. As you walk, the route you have taken is marked in red. The map allows you to explore. By seeing the path you’ve taken you’re able to find your way back to where you started.
As you walk, you can see the elapsed time, distance, pace, speed, elevation, and calories burned. Your speed is determined by GPS.
You can get audio feedback as you walk. The app can announce your distance, pace, calories burned, and other data every mile, half-mile, or another interval.
When you finish, you can upload and save your workout data and view it both on the app and on the MapMyWalk website.
See your mile-by-mile splits to analyze your performance.
You can also load a saved route to use again, or select routes that other MapMyWalk users have done in your area.
Connect with other apps and wearables such as Fitbit, Garmin, Jawbone, and MyFitnessPal. You can view your daily steps as recorded by these devices or by your mobile phone.
You aren’t limited to walking. You can track over 600 different activities.
MapMyWalk is available for iOS or Android. An MVP premium membership allows an ad-free experience and unlocks even more features, such as interval training, live tracking, mobile coaching, training plans, heart rate analysis, and unlimited printed maps.
Best for Hiking: Walkmeter Walking & Hiking GPS by Abvio
Walkmeter
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Why We Chose It: Walkmeter stands out for its ability to track basic workouts like walking and running, as well as complex activities like hiking and kayaking.
Pros
Great for improving speed and distance
Ability to view time, distance, speed, and pace while walking
Records metrics for kayaking, cycling, hiking, walking, and more
Cons
Premium features require a subscription
GPS can be spotty if phone is not in the right place
The Walkmeter app has features that are excellent for fitness walkers who want to improve their speed and distance. It has features you used to have to get a fancy running watch and training coach to enjoy, such as splits, intervals, zones, and more.
It uses your phone’s GPS to measure the distance of your walks and hikes. It includes audio and voice integration so you can not only be alerted as to your workout stats, but you can also listen to replies your friends send about your workout posts from Facebook and Twitter while you walk. You can start and stop a workout with your earphone remote or use Siri voice commands.
It maps your walk and you can view time, speed, distance and pace as you walk. It has many free training features. You can race against yourself or others on previous workout routes, getting updates on whether you are ahead or behind. They have training plans for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon or you can design your own and synchronize it with your iPhone calendar. You can set up repeating intervals and tempo workouts and analyze your performance afterward.
This app is available for iOS, Android, and Apple Watch. It will not only do the basics but also can help you train for distance walking events such as the 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or marathon.
Upgrading from free to Elite is less than $10 per year, far less than with some other apps, such as Endomondo. Upgrade features include tracking your daily steps, cadence coaching, treadmill support (distance and pace using your steps) and using the Apple Watch app.
Best for Tracking Calories: Argus by Azumio
Azumio
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Why We Chose It: Argus by Azumio combines the best walking app features with an excellent calorie tracking tool.
Pros
Measures heart rate, time, and distance
Food diary and barcode capability
Hourly graph tracks active time, distance, and steps
Cons
Does not work as well on Android
Accuracy is spotty
Premium upgrade is more expensive than other apps
Argus packs a lot into one lifestyle app. It functions as an all-day pedometer app using the motion sensor in your phone. But you can also track workouts with GPS.
The workout tracker displays your time, distance, and the map of your route.
When you finish, see your workout calories, steps, elevation gain, best pace, average pace, average cadence, graphs, and map.
Your daily step count updates from your phone’s motion sensor data and includes active time, distance, calories, steps, and an hourly graph.
Measure your heart rate at any time using their integrated heart rate app (simply place your index finger on your cell phone camera lens). You can easily take your heart rate during exercise and at rest.
You can link to a heart rate sensor band.
Track your water intake with a tap.
You can use the app’s food diary (which includes a barcode scanner) and sleep timer.
Premium subscribers get a wide range of fitness and diet plans.
Argus is easy to use and it has an interface that encourages you to interact with it and track many items for health and fitness. It’s available for both iOS and Android.
Best for Motivation: Fitbit App MobileTracker
Fitbit
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Why We Chose It: Community support and challenges with friends made the Fitbit App a shoe-in for our list.
Pros
Does not require a Fitbit watch to use
Tracks daily steps and distance based on stride length
Tracks heart rate
Participate in challenges and virtual races with friends
Cons
Some of the essential features cost extra
Does work better with a Fitbit device
Did you know that you don’t need a Fitbit device to use the Fitbit app? The free app can be used to track your steps using the motion sensor on your phone (unless you have a very old phone). This is good news if your Fitbit died or if you aren’t ready to buy one.
You can download the free Fitbit app for your operating system. Then when you set up the app, it will ask which tracker you are setting up. Choose “No Fitbit Yet” and it will set up the MobileTracker. Now it will track your all-day activity sensed by your phone’s built-in accelerometer. You’ll get a step count and hourly graphs.
Whether you have a Fitbit tracker or not, you can track speed and distance using the Track Exercise function. From the home screen, tap the + icon and select Walk, Run, or Hike.
When you start a workout, you will see the elapsed time and your average pace.
Swipe to see a map of the route you have taken.
You can get voice cues and updates at selected times.
When you finish and save your workout, you can review it by tapping on the Exercise tile on the home screen.
You can review your route on a map, distance, time, pace, mile split times, calories burned, and steps for each workout.
The Fitbit app also includes virtual adventure races and challenges with friends. If you have friends with Fitbits, you don’t have to be left out of the fun. The Fitbit app is available for iOS, Android, and Windows phones.
Best for a Cause: Charity Miles
Charity Miles
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Why We Chose It: Charity Miles gives users a platform to donate money to a favorite charity and get healthy, at the same time.
Pros
Company donates money on your behalf to charities
Tracks several activities such as walking, running, dancing, and biking
Walking earns money towards your favorite charity
Cons
Not ideal for fitness tracking
Limited features compared to other apps
Interface is on the lower end of apps
Charity Miles gives your walking a purpose (and your running and biking, too). Open up this free app (iOS or Google Play) and choose a charity. Start a workout, choosing walking, running, or cycling. For each completed mile, you’ll have earned a donation for your chosen charity. The basic rate is 25 cents for walking and running miles and 10 cents for cycling miles, subject to a periodic cap.
Along the way, you can view your exercise time and miles. When done, you must post to Facebook or Twitter in order to accept sponsorship and earn money for your charity. You can also form teams and work together to raise money for charities.
The fitness tracking is minimal, but you can use it at the same time as other apps and put your miles to good use. For every mile you complete, you will earn a donation for your chosen charity.
Best for Treadmills: Virtual Walk – Walk the Distance
Virtual Walk
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Why We Chose It: The Virtual Walk – Walk the Distance app takes monotonous treadmill workouts and turns them into a scenic walk through the mountains, a popular tourist attraction, and national parks.
Pros
Tracks steps using GPS or treadmill speed
Virtually walk national parks, Appalachian Trail, Central Park, and Boston Marathon route
Additional walks available for a fee
Cons
Not as many activity tracking abilities as other apps
Limited routes to walk
Not able to customize
Virtual Walk is a motivating app that you can use to spice up your everyday walk indoors on the treadmill or outdoors. Your distance is plotted on a virtual walk through a scenic or historic place. These include the Appalachian Trail, the monuments in Washington DC, the Grand Canyon, the Pyramids of Giza, and more.
At checkpoints along the way, you can view photos and information about the sights on your virtual walk. Some routes are available for free and others are for purchase. At the end of your walk, you receive a medal. The Virtual Walk Treadmill or GPS versions get better ratings than the Street View versions.
As you walk, view photos and information about your scenic or historic virtual destination. Use this app on iOS or Android devices.
Final Verdict
When it comes to walking apps, finding the right one to fit your needs may take some trial and error. The good news is all of the apps featured on this list are free to download and use. If you’re looking for a comprehensive walking app that can do just about everything, start with MapMyWalk. The free tools are often enough for most people, but if you want access to more complex graphs and customization, you’ll need to upgrade. If step tracking and calorie counting are on your list of requirements, then consider Argus by Azumio. Its food diary combined with barcode scanner make this an excellent app for nutrition and fitness enthusiasts.
Walking Apps vs Running Apps
In general, walking apps and running apps share the same features. Both are designed to track metrics like steps, miles, speed, distance, and time. They often come programmed with routes, trails, and workouts. Some have extra tools like calorie counters and heart rate tracking capabilities. The main difference between a walking app and a running app is likely the programmed workouts. With a walking app, the workouts will be slower in pace and often shorter in the distance. A running app, on the other hand, will have programmed plans that cover a longer distance at a higher speed.
Conclusion
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