You’ve been using MapMyRide for years. The app does the job — basic tracking, a few routes, sync with the other Map My apps. But let’s be honest: the app hasn’t really evolved since 2015. The interface feels dated. Ads in the free version are aggressive. There’s still no real voice navigation. No live segments. No proper display of modern Bluetooth sensors.
And you’re wondering: is there an app as simple as MapMyRide, but that’s actually kept up with the times?
Good news: yes.
BikeCompanion is designed to be as easy to pick up as MapMyRide — first ride in 30 seconds, sign-up in a few taps — but with all the modern features MapMyRide never truly developed: voice navigation, live segments with ghost racing, Bluetooth sensors (heart rate, power, cadence), Garmin Varia radar, auto climb detection, built-in walkie-talkie for group rides, 3D videos. Free for recording your rides, following a route on the map and pairing your sensors; voice navigation and live segments are part of PRO, with a free trial.
In this article:
- Why MapMyRide is showing its age in 2026
- Feature-by-feature comparison
- When to stick with MapMyRide, when to switch
- How to migrate without losing your history
Why MapMyRide Is Starting to Show Its Age
MapMyRide launched in 2007. Bought by Under Armour in 2013 for $150M, it has belonged to Outside since 2024. In all that time, frankly, the app hasn’t taken the modern turn that Strava, Garmin, or Komoot have.
The most common frustrations:
1. Ads in the free version. On the free version of MapMyRide, you get ads before and during usage. It breaks the flow, especially before a ride.
2. No real voice navigation. MapMyRide has basic alerts but no full voice turn-by-turn. You need to look at the screen regularly.
3. Limited Bluetooth sensors. Basic heart rate integration works, but power meters and cadence sensors aren’t supported. Real-time sensor display doesn’t match a proper bike computer app.
4. No live segments. No ghost racing against your own PR. You can’t measure yourself in real time on a climb.
5. No Varia radar. No integration with the Garmin Varia rear radar.
6. Dated UI. The interface feels like a 2015 fitness app — functional, but no longer at the level of modern cycling apps.
7. Premium at around $30 to $40 a year for very limited features. MVP Premium adds training plans, heart rate zone analysis and fewer ads, but none of the live features that matter to serious cyclists.
8. Slow development. Under Armour clearly had other priorities before selling the app to Outside in 2024. Major feature updates have been rare for years.
MapMyRide vs BikeCompanion: The Comparison
Basic Tracking
| Feature | MapMyRide (free) | BikeCompanion (free) |
|---|---|---|
| GPS tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Post-ride stats | Yes (basic) | Yes (detailed) |
| Ads | Yes | No |
| Ride GPS map | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-pause | Yes (sometimes unreliable) | Yes |
Tracking verdict: It’s a draw on the basics. Except BikeCompanion has no ads in its free version.
Navigation
| Feature | MapMyRide | BikeCompanion (free) | BikeCompanion (PRO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual turn-by-turn | No | No (route shown on the map) | Yes |
| Voice navigation | No (basic alerts) | No | Yes (full) |
| Offline maps | No | No | Yes |
| Auto rerouting | No | No | Yes (fast) |
| Auto route generation by distance | No | Yes (limited) | Yes (+ weather) |
Navigation verdict: BikeCompanion PRO has real voice navigation, which MapMyRide never truly developed. On the free version, you follow the route line on the map.
Bluetooth Sensors
| Feature | MapMyRide | BikeCompanion |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth heart rate | Yes (basic) | Yes (full display) |
| Bluetooth cadence sensor | No | Yes (display in PRO) |
| Bluetooth power meter | No | Yes |
| Garmin Varia radar | No | Yes |
| Real-time multi-sensor display | No | Yes |
Sensors verdict: BikeCompanion is clearly ahead. If you’ve invested in a power meter or a Varia, MapMyRide doesn’t exploit them properly.
Segments
| Feature | MapMyRide | BikeCompanion (PRO) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic segments | Custom splits only (MVP) | Yes |
| Live segments on-ride | No | Yes |
| Visual ghost racing your PR | No | Yes |
| Custom segments | No | Yes |
| Auto climb detection | No | Yes (with live % gradient) |
Segments verdict: MapMyRide never really bet on segments. BikeCompanion PRO does what Strava does, but better (visual ghost).
Unique Features
What BikeCompanion has that MapMyRide doesn’t:
- Full voice navigation (PRO)
- Live segments with ghost racing against your PR (PRO)
- Auto climb detection, with live gradient in PRO
- Full Bluetooth sensors (HR + power + cadence + Varia; cadence display in PRO)
- Built-in walkie-talkie for group rides
- intervals.icu sync to analyze your training
- 3D ride video generation (limited on the free version)
- Home screen widgets (Android and iOS)
- Offline maps (PRO)
- No ads in the free version
- Personal heatmap (PRO)
What MapMyRide has that BikeCompanion doesn’t:
- Map My ecosystem integration (if you use MapMyRun, MapMyFitness, etc.)
- Guided training plans via MVP Premium
- Large US community (if you ride mostly in the US)
Pricing
| MapMyRide (free) | MapMyRide MVP | BikeCompanion (free) | BikeCompanion PRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 (with ads) | About $30–40/year | $0 (no ads) | Price shown in the app |
| No ads | No | Fewer ads | Yes | Yes |
| Voice navigation | No | No | No | Yes |
| Live segments | No | No | No | Yes |
| Full Bluetooth sensors | No | No | Yes (cadence display in PRO) | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Not stated | — | Yes |
Pricing verdict: For around $30 to $40 a year, MapMyRide MVP doesn’t give you much on the cycling side — mostly training plans and fewer ads. BikeCompanion PRO gives you the live features that matter, and you can try it for free first.
When to Stick with MapMyRide
Be honest. If any of these apply, MapMyRide is still relevant:
- You heavily use the Map My ecosystem (MapMyRun, MapMyWalk, MapMyFitness)
- You only want basic tracking without advanced features
- You follow training plans via MVP Premium
- You’ve built a large friend base on the US MapMyRide platform
- You don’t own modern Bluetooth sensors (just a basic heart rate strap)
For everyone else, BikeCompanion will probably fit your needs better.
When to Switch to BikeCompanion
Switch when:
- You’ve had enough of ads in free MapMyRide
- You want real voice navigation during your rides
- You bought a power meter, cadence sensor, or Varia radar and MapMyRide doesn’t use them properly
- You want to race segments with ghost racing against your own PR
- You ride in groups and the walkie-talkie appeals to you
- You want auto climb detection with live gradient during the ascent
- You like sharing rides and want 3D videos
- You feel MapMyRide hasn’t evolved in years
Migrating from MapMyRide Without Losing Your History
MapMyRide lets you export your rides, one at a time:
- On the MapMyRide website: open a ride → ⋯ menu → Download as TCX, then follow the on-page steps to get a .gpx file
- Repeat for your key rides
- In BikeCompanion, import the .gpx files with Import an activity
If you use Strava in parallel (common even for MapMyRide users), connect your Strava account in BikeCompanion: your new rides are sent to Strava automatically. The sync only works one way, from BikeCompanion to Strava, so your past rides come over through the export above.
You can keep MapMyRide running in parallel for a few weeks to compare. No need to cut ties immediately.
What Riders Say
“Great app, simple and effective. It replaces my old Garmin. It has everything.” — Paul, 5 stars
“Excellent app for casual and experienced cyclists who don’t have a bike computer.” — Arnaud, one year with BikeCompanion
App Store and Google Play rating: 4.7/5.
What Does It Actually Cost?
Free (no ads): following a route on the map, full GPS tracking, Bluetooth sensors, Varia radar, Strava sync, post-ride stats, auto climb detection, 3D videos (limited), GPX import, auto route generation (limited). No commitment, no credit card required.
PRO: offline maps, turn-by-turn voice navigation with auto rerouting, live segments with ghost racing, route weather, personal heatmap. Free trial, then the price shown in the app.
Compared to MapMyRide: free BikeCompanion already does more on the bike than MapMyRide MVP Premium at around $30 to $40 a year.
FAQ
Is BikeCompanion really ad-free?
Yes. Even in the free version, no ads. The business model relies on the optional PRO subscription, not advertising.
Can I import my MapMyRide rides?
Yes: export them from the MapMyRide website (TCX, then GPX) and import the .gpx files into BikeCompanion with “Import an activity”. Strava won’t help here: BikeCompanion’s Strava sync only sends rides to Strava, it doesn’t import them.
Does my Bluetooth heart rate strap work with BikeCompanion?
Yes. BikeCompanion supports all modern Bluetooth sensors (heart rate, cadence, power, Varia radar) with real-time display. Showing cadence requires PRO.
Is the interface as simple as MapMyRide?
Actually simpler. First ride in 30 seconds, sign-up in a few taps. The app is designed to be picked up immediately, no complex setup.
Is there an equivalent to MVP training plans?
No MVP Premium-style guided training plans for now. BikeCompanion focuses on the ride itself: planning, tracking, analysis. For structured plans, TrainingPeaks or intervals.icu (free, and synced with BikeCompanion) are the reference.
Can I keep MapMyRide AND use BikeCompanion?
Of course. Both can run in parallel for a few weeks to compare. And if you connect Strava, BikeCompanion sends your rides there automatically.
What languages is BikeCompanion available in?
14 languages: English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Polish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Slovenian, Finnish.
Summary
MapMyRide was a good choice for a long time. For simple tracking, it still gets the job done. But in 2026, the app clearly shows its age: no real voice navigation, limited Bluetooth sensor support, no live segments, aggressive ads, slow development.
BikeCompanion keeps the simplicity you liked in MapMyRide — first ride in 30 seconds, direct interface — but with all the modern features MapMyRide never really developed. And it’s free, with no ads, for recording your rides, following a route and pairing your sensors; voice navigation and live segments come with PRO.
If MapMyRide is enough for occasional basic tracking, keep it. If you feel ready for an app that actually kept up with the times, try BikeCompanion.
