10 Best Android Auto Apps You Should Use in 2024

Jul. 22, 2024

It’s great to have Android Auto in your car because it feels like a great part of the Android ecosystem. Google has added many features to Android Auto in the last few years; however, to use the interface to its full extent, you need apps. There are quite a few apps for Android Auto and here are the best of them. Let’s jump to our best Android Auto apps list.

Spotify

Spotify needs no introduction. It’s THE most popular service out there and is available on Android and Android Auto. Spotify on Android Auto allows you tochoose music from your library or searchit using the search bar. It then stays on the screen so that you can play, pause, or skip to the previous or next track.

Google Maps is one of the apps that’s available by default because it comes preinstalled on your Android phone. The app, if you didn’t already know, makes commuting a lot easier thanks to its comprehensive and up-to-date directions withreal-time trafficinformation, alerts like road closures, and accidents, and the ability to choose thefastest routeto the destination.

Google Maps on Android Auto syncs with your Android device, meaning 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 the Maps app works on Android Auto.

If you don’t like Google Maps for some reason, Waze is a pretty good alternative. For starters, it reportsaccidents and road delaysand 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 thenearest gas station, nearest parking, and more make it one of the best alternatives to Google Maps.ProsConsGreat Google Maps alternativeNot as feature-rich as MapsShows congestion, accidents, and fuel pumpsExcellent real-time traffic updates and slick interface

YouTube Music requires YouTube Premium, but it’s easily one of the top music streaming services. I made a switch from Spotify to YouTube Music last year, and I have nothing but positive things to say about the service. For starters, the music algorithm is exceptional, and we’ve discovered some of our now favorite music through the same.

YouTube Music effortlessly integrates into Android Auto and supports Google Assistantvoice commandsso that you can jam right away with ease. You can search for music or select it from your library and playlists. Overall, it’s easily one of the best apps for Android Auto.ProsConsGreat Spotify alternativeRequires YouTube PremiumQueues and Library instantly accessibleSearch embedded to search vast librarySnappy interface

PowerAmp could be a great music player to listen to music offline. One of the best things about PowerAmp is it’s a powerful equalizer that you can use totune your car 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. No internet is required and it’scompletely offline. While it is a paid app and costs $5, it’s one of the few best offline music players in the market.ProsConsExcellent for lossless music playbackNoneAccess to your library in a few tapsSnappy user interfaceQueue helps you find out what’s nextHas a powerful equalizer

If you love podcasts, as mentioned in ourbest Podcasts apparticle, Pocket Casts is THE app for you. 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 tocustomize skip time.

There’s anAuto Play functionthat picks an episode for you when there’s nothing left to play. All in all, Pocket Casts is a great app for podcasts that you should definitely check out.ProsConsGreat user interfaceUI sometimes feels sluggishWide library of PodcastsLots of useful player options

If you’re trying to manage your fuel expenses or mileage and having a hard time, Fuelio is just the app you need. It shows you the nearby gas stations,records your trip, and fuel costsover time, and also calculates the mileage based on the fuel and expenses. Besides, Fuelio can also show you stations on route and show you detailed cost and fuel statistics over time.

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 thecheapest gas stationsaround that others rated at some point. The app is customizable and is overall one of the best fuel tracking apps on Android Auto.

Police Scanners are great to help you avoid accidents. Relying on Google Maps and Waze for real-time updates sometimes works, but if you want quickupdates from emergency departments, Police Scanner is the app to download on Android Auto.

Police Scanner could sometimes be a lifesaver if you spend most of your time driving. The announcements may help you avoid anything frompotential disasters to traffic congestionand take alternative routes. Overall, it’s easily one of the best apps you can have on Android Auto.ProsConsQuick alertsNoneDecent interfaceUp to date information to stay updated

Do you own an electric vehicle? PlugShare is an app you should definitely have. Charging anxiety is real and PlugShare can help with that byfinding 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 thechargers that are in use. Charging points that are in use appear gray, fast chargers appear orange and green means longer charging times.ProsConsGreat for finding nearby charging pointsUI could’ve been betterCharging points labeled by their speedUpdates real-time, grays-out the charging point when in use.

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 theradio 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.ProsConsGreat user interfaceStation library is not as comprehensiveStreams global radio stationsAbility to favorite stations

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.