Apple Maps has improved significantly since its launch, but it remains an iPhone-only app built primarily for everyday navigation. CityNav works on any device with a web browser and adds tourist-specific features — AR walking overlays, SOS emergency alerts, and offline transit data for 28 global cities.
Try CityNav Free →| Feature | CityNav | Apple Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Device compatibility | ✅ Works on any smartphone or browser | ⚠️ iPhone and Mac only |
| CityNav is web-based — no app install needed on Android or older devices. | ||
| AR walking navigation | ✅ Camera-overlay with live compass arrows | ⚠️ Look Around (limited cities, no navigation overlay) |
| CityNav AR guides you step-by-step in the camera view. | ||
| SOS emergency button | ✅ Sends GPS location via SMS | ❌ Not available in-app |
| CityNav's SOS is built into the navigation interface. | ||
| Offline transit maps | ✅ 28 cities, pre-loaded, no data needed | ⚠️ Limited offline transit support |
| CityNav's offline data covers all supported cities fully. | ||
| Tourist pass tips | ✅ Best pass recommendations per city | ❌ Not provided |
| CityNav recommends the cheapest tourist transit pass for every city. | ||
| Transit directions | ✅ Offline + real-time, 28 cities | ✅ Good transit in major cities |
| Siri integration | ❌ Not available | ✅ Deep Siri voice integration |
| Apple Maps integrates tightly with Siri on Apple devices. | ||
CityNav reviewed the publicly available feature information for both products and checked CityNav’s own current web and mobile experience. The table focuses on traveller use cases rather than declaring one app best for every person. Features can vary by device, country and app version.
CityNav is the publisher of this comparison and therefore has a commercial interest in its own product. Apple Maps has not reviewed, approved or sponsored this page. Readers should verify time-sensitive features in each provider’s current product documentation.
Walking directions, offline transit maps for 28 cities, and an SOS emergency button — all in one tourist-focused app. No download required.
Open CityNav — Free →Yes. CityNav works in any mobile browser — no download required — and adds features Apple Maps lacks for tourists: AR walking navigation, an SOS emergency button, and offline transit maps for 28 global cities. If you are travelling internationally, CityNav's offline mode lets you navigate without any mobile data.
Yes. CityNav is a web application that works on any modern browser — iOS Safari, Android Chrome, and desktop browsers all work equally well. Unlike Apple Maps, CityNav is not limited to Apple devices.
CityNav adds three key tourist features missing from Apple Maps: (1) an SOS emergency button that sends your live GPS location via SMS to emergency contacts, (2) AR walking navigation with camera-overlay compass arrows, and (3) tourist-specific transit pass recommendations for each of the 28 supported cities.
Yes. Downloaded transit maps, station information and supported core route guidance remain available offline across 28 cities. Live departures and disruption updates require internet.
Apple Maps does not have an in-app SOS emergency button. iPhones have a separate Emergency SOS feature (hold side button + volume) that calls local emergency services. CityNav's SOS button is designed specifically for travellers — it texts your pre-saved emergency contacts with your live GPS tracking link, which is more useful than calling local services when travelling abroad.
Yes. CityNav is a cross-platform web app that works on any Android, iOS, or desktop browser. Apple Maps is limited to Apple devices. CityNav also has an iOS app on the App Store and an Android APK, making it accessible to all travellers regardless of device.
CityNav lets travellers prepare downloaded transit maps, station information, saved routes and guidance for supported networks in Tokyo and Bangkok. Live departures, disruptions and new online searches require internet. Apple Maps also offers offline features, so travellers should prepare whichever app they intend to use before setting out.
CityNav covers 28 major tourist cities across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, all with deep offline transit data. For cities like Bangkok, Seoul, Istanbul, and Dubai, CityNav's transit coverage is more complete and detailed than Apple Maps.