Android Auto is one of the best yet underrated parts of the Android ecosystem. It’s cohesive, feature-rich, and vastly improves your driving experience. While Google keeps adding new features to Android Auto, one of the ways you can get the most out of the platform is by installing new apps. Like on Android, where there’s no shortage of good apps, there are plenty on Android Auto as well. So, here are some of the best ones.
1. Spotify
Spotify needs no introduction. It’s the most popular service out and one of the best Android Auto apps. Spotify on Android Auto allows you to choose music from your library or search for new ones using the search bar. The player stays on the display, letting you skip, jump back, or use the seek bar to jump to a specific section of the song.
To get Spotify on Android Auto, all you need to do is download the Spotify app on your Android smartphone. It’s worth noting that Spotify is free with Ads, but you will need to purchase a subscription for ad-free playback. The service has gotten a bit restrictive with the number of features available in the free version. If you’re looking to upgrade, we’ve got you covered with this in-depth list of Spotify plans and pricing.
Pros Cons Large selection of music Lots of ads in free version Syncs perfectly with all your devices Playback controls, queues, and the interface are all intuitive
Pricing: Free, Premium starting from $11.99
2. YouTube Music
The YouTube Music vs Spotify debate is still going strong, but there are reasons to choose the former over the latter, like I did. YouTube Music is available as a standalone service and bundled with YouTube Premium, but the latter is more value for money. For starters, the music algorithm is exceptional, and I’ve discovered some of my now favorite music through the same.
YouTube Music effortlessly integrates into Android Auto. The UI lets you search from playlists or different songs and play them effortlessly. The player is pretty decent with options to seek, like/dislike, and skip tracks. Overall, for what it offers, YouTube Music is one of the best music apps for Android Auto and is definitely worth checking out.
Pros Cons Great Spotify alternative None Queues and Library instantly accessible Search embedded to search vast library Snappy interface
Pricing: Free, Premium starting from $10.99/month
3. Google Maps
Google Maps comes preinstalled on Android devices, hence you don’t need to install it in Android Auto. The app makes commuting a lot easier thanks to its comprehensive and up-to-date directions with real-time traffic information and many more features.
It also has alerts for road closures and accidents, and the ability to choose the fastest route as well as different route suggestions to save fuel till you reach the destination. Google Maps on Android Auto syncs with your Android device. So, starting navigation on Android Auto will bring up the directions on your phone and vice versa. Overall, if you’re someone who often uses Google Maps to navigate, you will appreciate the way it works on Android Auto.
Pros Cons Pretty much the best out there None Offline maps, live traffic, satellite terrain. Syncs perfectly with phone
Pricing: Free
4. PowerAmp
If you prefer to carry offline music, PowerAmp is for you. The Android app is revered among audiophiles for its advanced capabilities, and while it doesn’t bring all of that over to Android Auto, it brings enough. While it is a paid app and costs $5, it’s one of the best $5 you’ll spend on an app.
One of PowerAmp’s highlights is that it comes with a powerful equalizer that you can use to tune your car’s audio. If you have an expensive audio setup in your car with an Amp, Subwoofers, and great-sounding speakers, you can use the equalizer to get the most out of the setup. Not to mention, you could carry lossless music as PowerAmp supports high-quality music playback.
Pros Cons Excellent for lossless music playback None Access to your library in a few taps Snappy user interface Queue helps you find out what’s next Has a powerful equalizer
Pricing: $5
5. Waze
If you don’t like Google Maps, Waze is a great alternative. For starters, it reports accidents and road delays and helps you choose the best route to reach your destination faster. It also supports voice responses and integrates very well with Android Auto.
Things such as the ability to find the nearest gas station, nearest parking, and more make it one of the best alternatives to Google Maps.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great Google Maps alternative | Not as feature-rich as Maps |
| Shows congestion, accidents, and fuel pumps | |
| Excellent real-time traffic updates and slick interface |
Pricing: Free
6. Pocket Casts
We rated Pocket Casts quite high in our list of best podcast apps for many reasons. It’s got one of the best interfaces on Android Auto and the overall experience feels great. There’s a queue button to check what’s playing next, alongside the option to favorite an episode, archive it, skip forward and backward, and the ability to customize skip time.
There’s an Auto Play function that picks an episode for you when there’s nothing left to play. All in all, Pocket Casts is a great app for Android Auto if you prefer to listen to a lot of podcasts when driving
Pros Cons Great user interface UI sometimes feels sluggish Wide library of Podcasts Lots of useful player options
Pricing: Free, Plus starting from $3.99/month
7. Fuelio
If you’re trying to manage your fuel expenses or mileage and having a hard time doing so, Fuelio is just the app you need. It records your trip, and fuel costs over time, and also calculates the mileage based on the fuel and expenses. Besides, it shows you the nearby gas stations and can also show you stations on the route.
Want to find where the cheapest or the best gas station is? Fuelio’s got you with its ability to use your location data to show you the best or the cheapest gas stations around that others rated at some point. The app is customizable and is overall one of the best fuel-tracking apps and one of the best apps for Android Auto.
Pros Cons Excellent for finding nearby stations None Can track fuel expenses Record trips and log mileage
Pricing: Free
8. Police Scanner
Police Scanners are great to help you avoid accidents. Relying on Google Maps and Waze for real-time updates sometimes works, but sometimes the updates could be delayed. If you want quick updates from emergency departments, Police Scanner is the app to download on Android Auto.
Police Scanners could sometimes be a lifesaver if you spend most of your time driving. The announcements may help you avoid anything from potential disasters to traffic congestion and take alternative routes. Overall, it’s easily one of the best apps you can have on Android Auto.
Pros Cons Quick alerts None Decent interface Up to date information to stay updated
Pricing: Free
9. PlugShare
Do you own an electric vehicle? PlugShare is an app you should definitely have. Charging anxiety is real, and PlugShare can help with that by finding nearby chargers. There are filters you can use to sort by fast chargers, kilowatt range of the charger, PlugScore for how good the charger is, and charging plug type.
The best thing about the app is that it updates in real time and shows the chargers that are in use. Charging points that are in use appear gray, fast chargers appear orange, and green means longer charging times. If you have an EV, this Android Auto app is something you shouldn’t sleep on.
Pros Cons Great for finding nearby charging points UI could’ve been better Charging points labeled by their speed Updates real-time, grays out the charging point when in use.
Pricing: Free
10. TuneIn Radio
Love music but can’t let go of the old ways of listening and feeling nostalgic while driving? TuneIn Radio is for you. The user interface is exceptional, with tons of radio channels to choose from around the world. The player is well-designed and there’s also a map that shows you all the radio channels around you.
While the Radio library is quite comprehensive, we couldn’t find some of our local favorites in the subcontinent. While I can’t speak for other locations, it sure does look like there are lots of stations in Europe and the US. The app has adverts, and you need to purchase premium to remove them; however, they are not intrusive and should be fine.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great user interface | Station library is not as comprehensive |
| Streams global radio stations | |
| Ability to favorite stations |
Pricing: Free, Premium starting from $11.99
Those were some of the best Android Auto apps you could use to enhance your car experience. Do you have an app that you use frequently with Android Auto? If yes, let us know in the comments below.
Ajaay Srinivasan
