You’ve been using MapMyRide for years. The app does the job — basic tracking, a few routes, Under Armour sync. 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, no signup required — but with all the modern features MapMyRide never truly developed: voice navigation, live segments with ghost racing, full Bluetooth sensors (heart rate, power, cadence), Garmin Varia radar, auto climb detection, built-in walkie-talkie for group rides, 3D videos. Free for the essentials.
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. Since then, 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 and cadence support is thin. 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 $30/year for very limited features. MVP Premium adds training plans and an ad-free view, but none of the live features that matter to serious cyclists.
8. Slow development. Under Armour clearly has other priorities. Major feature updates have been rare for 3-4 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: Draw on the basics. Except BikeCompanion has no ads in its free version.
Navigation
| Feature | MapMyRide | BikeCompanion (free) | BikeCompanion (PRO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual turn-by-turn | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice navigation | No (basic alerts) | No | Yes (full) |
| Offline maps | No | No | Yes |
| Auto rerouting | Limited | Yes | Yes (fast) |
| Auto route generation by distance | Limited | Yes | Yes (+ weather) |
Navigation verdict: BikeCompanion PRO has real voice navigation, which MapMyRide never truly developed.
Bluetooth Sensors
| Feature | MapMyRide | BikeCompanion |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth heart rate | Yes (basic) | Yes (full display) |
| Bluetooth cadence sensor | Limited | Yes |
| Bluetooth power meter | Limited | 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Live segments on-ride | No | Yes |
| Visual ghost racing your PR | No | Yes (unique) |
| 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
- Full Bluetooth sensors (HR + power + cadence + Varia)
- Built-in walkie-talkie for group rides
- Live position sharing with family
- 3D ride video generation
- Android home screen widgets
- Offline maps (PRO)
- No ads in the free version
- Personal heatmap (PRO)
What MapMyRide has that BikeCompanion doesn’t:
- Under Armour 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) | $30/year | $0 (no ads) | Less than a coffee/month |
| No ads | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice navigation | No | No | No | Yes |
| Live segments | No | No | No | Yes |
| Full Bluetooth sensors | No | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | No | — | 7-day PRO |
Pricing verdict: For $30/year, MapMyRide MVP doesn’t give you much on the cycling side — just training plans and no ads. BikeCompanion PRO costs less and gives you the live features that matter.
When to Stick with MapMyRide
Be honest. If any of these apply, MapMyRide is still relevant:
- You heavily use the Under Armour ecosystem (MapMyRun, MapMyFitness, UA connected shoes)
- 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 history:
- On MapMyRide web: Workouts → Export TCX/GPX
- Export your key rides as .gpx files
- In BikeCompanion, import .gpx via Import
If you use Strava in parallel (common even for MapMyRide users), just connect your Strava account in BikeCompanion — all your Strava-synced rides show up automatically.
You can keep MapMyRide running in parallel for a few weeks to compare. No need to cut ties immediately.
What Riders Who Switched Say
“Replaces my old Garmin. Simple, effective, has everything I need.” — Paul, 5 stars
“Great app, simple and effective.” — Paul, 5 stars
Overall App Store and Google Play rating: 4.8/5.
What Does It Actually Cost?
Free (no ads): full GPS tracking, Bluetooth sensors, Strava sync, post-ride stats, auto climb detection, 3D videos, GPX import, auto route generation. No commitment, no credit card required.
PRO: offline maps, full voice navigation, live segments with ghost racing, route weather, personal heatmap. Less than a coffee per month, 7-day free trial.
Compared to MapMyRide: free BikeCompanion already does more than MapMyRide MVP Premium at $30/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, via GPX/TCX export from MapMyRide web and import into BikeCompanion. Otherwise, if you already sync MapMyRide to Strava, connect your Strava to BikeCompanion — everything comes in automatically.
Does my Bluetooth heart rate strap work with BikeCompanion?
Yes. BikeCompanion supports all modern Bluetooth sensors (heart rate, cadence, power, Varia radar) with full real-time display.
Is the interface as simple as MapMyRide?
Actually simpler. First ride in 30 seconds, no signup required. 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 Strava are still the reference.
Can I keep MapMyRide AND use BikeCompanion?
Of course. Both can run in parallel for a few weeks to compare. Strava syncs both, so your history stays unified.
What languages is BikeCompanion available in?
7 languages: English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish.
Try BikeCompanion
Download the app for free:
- iPhone : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bike-computer-bikecompanion/id1661805112
- Android : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.creativeo.bike.companion&hl=en
First ride in 30 seconds.
Free 7-day PRO trial. Cancel in one tap.
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 free for the essentials, no ads.
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.
