I guess you probably don’t want to create a GPS tracking app. Unless you’re aiming to go up against Google Maps, Waze, or other mapping services, those are the main examples of true navigation apps.

Mapping and geolocation tracking are now standard features in mobile apps, right? If you’re looking to build a GPS tracking app like MapQuest, this blog is a great starting point for your research.

We will explore the steps to develop geolocation apps and features and costs that will help your business gain real momentum right from the start.

So, let’s begin!

 

What is a MapQuest App?

MapQuest is a popular app for live maps, GPS, voice navigation, real-time traffic info, and planning transit. Wherever you go, MapQuest can help you find your way. Users can see their route progress and traffic conditions with this app.

It was the first service to offer online mapping and turn-by-turn directions. When a user gets directions, the app automatically includes traffic details.

It highlights congested areas in yellow or red, unlike the usual bright blue for your route. The app checks traffic conditions every few minutes. So, if you are planning to build a GPS tracking app like MapQuest, then you must consult with a GPS tracking software development company.

 

Some Market Insights on GPS Tracking

 

 

Source: Statista

• The global GPS tracking device market is expected to grow steadily from 2020 to 2025.
• By 2025, the market size is projected to reach around 5 billion U.S. dollars, peaking at over two billion dollars by the end of this period.
• The Navigation market is anticipated to generate about 25 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2022, with an annual growth rate of 9.60% from 2022 to 2027.
• This growth could lead to a market volume of 15 billion U.S. dollars by 2027.
• In-app purchase revenue is expected to hit 60 million U.S. dollars in 2022, while paid app revenue is forecasted to be 98.97 million U.S. dollars for the same year.
• In 2024, MapQuest had 38 million monthly users.

 

How Does MapQuest App Work?

Now, before you make an application like MapQuest, you should know how users will use this application. So, below is the step-by-step working mechanism of the MapQuest app explained by a mobile app development company. 

1. The MapQuest app provides several route choices, showing the distance, travel time, and traffic status for each one. However, it does not include estimated fuel costs.
2. You can add a variety of “layers” to a map, which include more options than just hotels, gas stations, and grocery stores found on the website.
3. The app has quick access buttons for bars, airports, banks, ice cream shops, schools, pharmacies, movies, hospitals, and more.
4. If you press the “Traffic” button, you can choose to view live traffic conditions, traffic accidents, and real-time traffic cameras.
5. Click the camera icons on the map to explore. Another great feature of the app is that it displays the local temperature in the bottom right corner.

 

Why Must Entrepreneurs Invest in GPS Tracking App Development?

If you build a GPS tracking App like MapQuest, it can be a wise choice for business owners. It meets increasing demands in many sectors and has strong future potential. Here are the reasons to create a mobile app like MapQuest clone.

 

 

1. Demand for Location-Based Services

GPS tracking apps are important in areas like logistics, transportation, delivery, and personal safety. Companies require effective methods to oversee vehicle fleets, monitor deliveries, and offer navigation. So, when you make an app like MapQuest, entrepreneurs can meet these common needs.

 

2. Enhanced Business Operations

The location tracking apps like Life360 or MapQuest assist businesses in improving their operations. For example, delivery services can monitor routes live, cut down on fuel expenses, and guarantee on-time deliveries. These advantages make the apps very useful for companies aiming to enhance their processes.

 

3. Improved Safety and Security

Safety apps that use GPS are becoming more popular. They provide features such as sharing your location in real-time, tracking routes, and sending emergency alerts. These functions attract families, travellers, and outdoor lovers, leading to a wide range of users.

 

4. Support for Emerging Trends

The growth of smart cities, IoT devices, and connected cars has made GPS technology more important. Entrepreneurs who invest in GPS tracking app development today are setting themselves up to take advantage of these future trends.

 

5. Profit Potential

GPS tracking apps can create consistent income through subscriptions, in-app advertisements, or collaborations with companies. Additionally, providing tailored solutions for certain industries can draw in high-paying clients.

 

 

Steps To Build a GPS Tracking App Like MapQuest

Many clients ask, “How can I create an app like MapQuest?” We believe that developing a GPS tracking app is similar to making other types of apps. Still, there are some important factors to consider. Here’s the mobile application development process we use to create a great solution. 

 

 

1. Do Market Research

It is important to carefully examine the navigation apps market to look at competitors and current trends. With the help of an IT consulting services provider, you should also learn about the demographics of your target audience and their interests.

Conducting market research will help you improve your app idea to fit market needs. You will determine the features to include in your navigation app. The functional and non-functional requirements will define the scope of your location based app development project.

 

2. Know Your Competitor Apps

You need to look at what your competitors do well and where they fall short. Learn from their strengths to provide your audience with great service. Their weaknesses can be your opportunity to attract users and find ways for your product to stand out.

So, knowing the USP of your competitors will help you stand out in the market when you build a GPS tracking App like MapQuest.

 

3. Define Key Features

To create an app similar to MapQuest for your startup, start by determining your needs. Do you want a map displayed in GPS software development? Should the app send alerts when a location changes? Will you track users over time, like fitness apps, or just get their location once? You need to think through all these details carefully.

 

4. Design GPS Tracking App

Your UI/UX designers will create the front layout for your navigation app. They will design UI elements, decide where they go on the screen, choose the visual style, and select colors.

The designers use UI/UX guidelines to make the interface attractive and simple to use. They also produce wireframes and mockups to show how users will interact with the app through different user flows.

 

5. Develop an MVP

Your mobile app developers will create the main features for your navigation app and handle backend connections. An iPhone app development company recommends starting with an MVP for your navigation app.

An MVP, or minimum viable product, includes all the key features of a MapQuest-style app. You launch the MVP and collect user feedback. Developers use this feedback to enhance app features in future updates, allowing the app to improve based on user needs.

 

6. Test Your App  

Your app testers need to thoroughly test your navigation app in different business situations. This includes checking how the app performs with different numbers of users.

This ensures it is secure from various cyber threats, assessing how well it can grow with more resources, and evaluating how easy it is to use the app’s features.

 

7. Launch the App

When you confirm that your mobile app’s functional and non-functional requirements are fulfilled, your mobile app developers can launch your navigation app in the market. They will publish the Android app on the Google Play Store and the iOS app on the Apple Store, adhering to the publishing rules set by Android and Apple.

 

 

Key Features To Add In MapQuest App Development

When you develop an app similar to MapQuest, you should integrate the essential features that make your app successful. It must be engaging and user-centric so that users can easily navigate the app. Below are some of the popular GPT tracking app features that you can integrate in your app.

 

 

1. Authorization

A key feature of apps like MapQuest is user authorization. After signing up, users can leave reviews, comment, and interact with others. You can log in using either Facebook or your email address.

 

2. Voice Navigation

Drivers need to stay focused when driving, making this feature important. The voice function gives directions, like when to turn left and how far to go. If the voice control is annoying, you can easily turn it off.

 

3. Push Notifications

If you develop a location-based app skin to MapQuest, it displays user messages in a more appealing way. These messages can go directly to their chat box or come through push notifications. This feature can be used in navigation apps when a user arrives in a specific area or location.

 

4. Rerouting

If a driver has an accident or takes a wrong turn, your GPS software should quickly find a new route so they can keep following the main directions. Users shouldn’t have to wait for the app to recheck the route; they can start following the right directions immediately.

 

5. Geopositioning and Navigation

Maps are the core of a navigation app. To find the user’s location, search for places, and show the route, MapQuest uses its navigation system. To improve accuracy, you can add the Cell Identification feature in geolocation app development, which uses data from mobile carriers. If your team combines Cell ID with GPS, the app’s location services will be more precise.

 

6. Distance Measuring

Understanding the distance is important for MapQuest-like apps and other on-demand services where users can book things like home repairs or dating. When you create a GPS tracking app, it’s essential to include a distance measuring tool. This feature will allow users to quickly find out how far they are from their destination.

7. Social Networking

To improve user sign-up, it’s important to connect your app with social media, as these platforms offer authentication and rewards. This integration not only makes the user experience better but also lowers the risk of authentication issues. In summary, users can quickly log in using their current social media accounts instead of having to set up a new account.

 

8. Services for Payment

A GPS navigation app can use in-app payment integration features as a way to make money. If your app becomes popular with drivers and service providers, there may be opportunities for collaboration.

 

9. Ride-Sharing

MapQuest allows drivers to save on fuel by using a ridesharing service. You can view other users heading the same way on your device. The gas expenses for the trip are shared between the driver and the passengers. The app sets a suggested fare for each ride ahead of time. It quickly charges users’ bank accounts and credit cards.

 

10. Sharing Location

Social networking apps like MapQuest gain a lot from letting users share their locations instantly. If you consider it for a moment, any route planner app development solution that shows people or things moving in real-time includes this feature.

 

11. Synchronization of Google Calendar

The app similar to MapQuest can connect with Google Calendar, helping users plan their trips better. When it links to the calendar, the MapQuest navigation app shows a list of future appointments and their locations. Users can easily use the app to navigate to places they have saved before.

 

 

Best GPS Tracking Apps Like MapQuest

There are multiple GPS tracking applications in the market like Google Maps, Apple Maps etc that have a huge user base. However, if you want to stand out from them then you need to do SWOT analysis of MapQuest alternatives.

 

 

Top MapQuest Alternatives	Available Platform	Downloads	Ratings
Google Maps	Android | iOS	1B+	4.2
HERE WeGo	Android | iOS	100M+	4.3
Roadtrippers	Android | iOS	1M+	3.0
Waze	Android | iOS	500M+	4.1
OpenStreetMap	Android | iOS	10M+	4.3

 

Cost To Develop a GPS Tracking App Like MapQuest

The cost is an essential factor that many entrepreneurs think of before investing. It plays a crucial role in affecting your overall cost to develop a GPS tracking software. So, if you plan to create an app like MapQuest, you must know that it can cost between $10,000 – $25,000.

But your cost to build a GPS tracking app like MapQuest will not always be the same as it depends on your project requirements. The level of customization in the app also affects the cost. So, let’s understand this with the below cost table:

 

App Complexity	Costs Estimation
Simple MapQuest Like App	$10000 – $15000
Medium MapQuest-Like App	$15000 – $20000
Complex MapQuest Like App	$25000+

 

These are just the basic estimations. To know the actual cost to develop an app like MapQuest, consult with a GPS tracking app development services provider. They will let you know the exact cost by analyzing your requirements. The crucial formula below will help you measure the MapQuest app development cost.

Total MapQuest Clone App Development = Developers Hourly Rate * Development Time

 

 

How To Monetize Your MapQuest Clone App?

So, just think you have created a beautiful GPS tracking application. Now what? How will you earn money? Well, there are multiple monetization models that you can leverage to earn a great ROI. Below are the popular revenue streams that many GPS tracking apps like Waze uses. 

 

 

1. Offer a Premium Subscription

Develop a subscription plan that allows users to unlock extra features. For example, a popular location tracking app like GeoZilla provides an ad-free experience, enhanced navigation tools, offline maps, or live traffic updates for premium members.

By implementing a monthly or yearly fee, you can generate a consistent income. Clearly communicate the advantages of upgrading to your users so they see the value in paying.

 

2. Affiliate Partnerships

Work with businesses that match your app’s goals, like restaurants, gas stations, or hotels. Add features that suggest nearby services on the map and earn a commission when users book or buy services through your app.

For instance, if a user reserves a hotel or orders food using a partner link, you receive a portion of the sale.

 

3. In-App Advertisements

A straightforward way to make money is by showing ads in your Compass app. You can team up with ad networks to display different types of ads like banners, interstitials, or native ads. It’s important to ensure that the ads do not interfere with the user experience, as too many annoying ads can push users away.

For instance, you might display ads when users are looking for directions or after they finish their navigation.

 

4. Freemium Model

Begin with a free version of your app that offers essential features, then offer paid upgrades for more options. For instance, you could sell features like voice navigation, unique map designs, or safety notifications as one-time buys.

This method makes the app available to many users while enabling you to earn from those who want additional benefits.

 

5. B2B Services and Data Monetization

Promote your app to businesses that require GPS tracking, like logistics firms or delivery services. Also, anonymized user data, such as traffic trends or popular locations, can be useful for city planners or advertisers. Make sure to comply with privacy laws and let users know how their data is utilized.

 

Final Thoughts!

By now, you have gone through the costs of GPS tracking app development, features of MapQuest app, discovered how to make a GPS app securely, and learned the technical aspects as well.

Our blog on how to create a GPS tracking app similar to MapQuest will provide you with ideas that might become popular. So, if you have made up your mind to invest in GPS tracking app development, you must hire an Android app development company like Dev Technosys who has great expertise.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact us right away for an outstanding route planner app development solution within your budget.

 

FAQs

Q1. What is a GPS Tracking App?

GPS tracking applications allow users to track their location from anywhere or anytime. There are some popular GPS tracking apps, such as Waze and Google Maps.

 

Q2. How Much Does It Cost To Develop A GPS Tracking App Like MapQuest?

The MapQuest clone app development cost relies on many variables like app intricacy, features, platform type, etc. Usually, it can cost between $10000 – $25000 or more.

 

Q3. How Long Does It Take To Make An App Like MapQuest?

The estimated MapQuest app development time lies between 2 – 6 months. However, your project requirement affects the time to build an app like MapQuest.

 

Q4. How To Develop An App Like MapQuest?

To create an app like MapQuest, you must follow the below steps:

• Conduct market research
• Know your competitors
• Create a feature list
• Design user interface
• Develop the app’s backend
• Test and release

 

Q5. How To Earn Money From GPS Tracking App?

To monetize your GPS tracking application, you must leverage the below methods:

• In-app purchase
• In-app advertisement
• Subscription model
• Collaboration model
• Freemium model