Alternative to Google My Tracks

Skeeter · 29 Jan 2016 at 14:01

I've just found out that My Tracks will be dropped by Google at the end of April

. I have used My Tracks for a while to track walks (I use Strava for cycling). Can anyone recommend a good alternative tracking app for walking? My Tracks seemed to be really good at handling the lower speed of walking and smoothed out the GPS route to avoid the sporadic zig-zagging I've seen in things previously.

Something that had some mapping and other cool things like Velo Viewer does with Strava data would be cool too.

Armageus · 29 Jan 2016 at 14:24

I was just about to post a thread about this

Official comment on it here:
https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/6333516

Use it for cycling myself, and just want another lightweight alternative. So far have looked at some of the "alternatives" suggested by google:

Google Fit - simplified and has no real control, can't see how to get aggregated stats out of it (e.g. how many miles cycled in a year, top speed etc)

Strava - disliked it wanting an account (although accepts google), dislike it pushing the paid for version, seems bloated, not interested in social aspect etc.

Map My Ride - requires a separate account (doesn't accept google) - therefore haven't tried.

GPS Logger for android - literally only logs - no mapping, no details, no aggregates
GPX Viewer - need to be used in conjunction with GPS logger, as provides mapping etc.

Not on that list:

Runkeeper - Same complaints as Strava, although interface seems slightly better in my opinion.

Not sure what else to try, as not happy with anything so far.

Skeeter · 29 Jan 2016 at 14:39

Strava is good for Cycling and Running purely from it being so popular. I've not found it to push the paid version much, and Velo Viewer is great (http://veloviewer.com).

The options for walking look limited though, and I'd love to be able to do Velo Viewer type stuff with walking data.

Glaucus · 29 Jan 2016 at 14:42

never used My Tracks so no idea what's in it, but have you tried runtastic, despite its name it has all sorts of options, cycling, walking, hiking, horse riding etc. there's a free and a premium version.

https://www.runtastic.com/

Ian_Eb · 29 Jan 2016 at 14:49

Could also try Endomondo

You need to register an account though.

or MapMyWalk

Skeeter · 29 Jan 2016 at 19:36

I'm going to try out Endomondo tomorrow. My primary concern is how much battery it will chew through, as ultimately all it does while I walk is sit in my pocket/backpack logging GPS location.

Skeeter · 30 Jan 2016 at 17:04

Did an 8.3 mile walk today using Endomondo and it seemed fine. Still about 30% battery left and I was using Spotify the whole walk too.

The data seems fine, but I am a bit annoyed at the pushing for the premium version already though. I can't seem to find any site or tool that will connect and display mapped elevation data like Velo Veiwer does either.

Armageus · 1 Feb 2016 at 10:38

Found probably the closest alternative to My Tracks - "GeoTracker - GPS Tracker" by Ilya Bogdanovich.

Had a quick test and seems to work ok, lightweight and works same as My tracks with a start and stop button, nothing else to do. Seems to do aggregate stats as well, so that's me sorted.

Rusty! · 1 Feb 2016 at 21:53

I've used Endomondo for donkey's years. Always been decent

Skeeter · 1 Feb 2016 at 22:08

Yeah seems fine, but I might get annoyed with the constant pestering for a premium version. I'm already annoyed that there's features on the website that are free that you can't get on the app without paying.