Should I use the TomTom free app or subscribe for £19.99

[vjkld]

I have been using the subscription based iOS app with offline maps. I’ve got the new TomTom app which is easy to use but no offline maps. Does it use the same routing as the paid version and give similar guidance or should I just re subscribe to the other app for the best routing and traffic including speed camera updates? Never been as confused with TomTom apps.

 

[Willy875]

The maps on the free app are more up-to-date than on the paid app.
The only problem with the free app is that you no longer have your favorites and places.

 

[vjkld]

So long as the routing is as good I’ll keep using it good to know the maps are more updated

 

[nigelbb]

This is the first that I have heard of new free TomTom app. My subscription renews next month so if the free app is better why wouldn't I use it?

Just looked at the App Store & I see that my TomTom is now called "TomTom GO Expert: Truck GPS" & the free app is called "TomTom - Maps & Traffic". Is this the way TomTom is going forward? Charging truck drivers for an app with a free version for car drivers? How is TomTom going to sustain revenues if the free app cannibalises the paid for TomTom app?

 

[nigelbb]

The maps on the free app are more up-to-date than on the paid app.
The only problem with the free app is that you no longer have your favorites and places.

I have downloaded the free app. You can create a favourite destination plus Home & Work). I'm not sure what extra benefits I get from paying £29.99/year for my Family licence.

 

[Willy875]

The family license (iOS) is for the GO Expert app, which, for €29.99, can be shared across multiple phones within the same family.

Unlike the Android version, which, for €19.99, can be shared across multiple phones.

With the TomTom app, yes, you can add favorites, but they cannot be transferred to multiple GPS devices like the older Amigo app.

 

[nigelbb]

The family license (iOS) is for the GO Expert app, which, for €29.99, can be shared across multiple phones within the same family.

Unlike the Android version, which, for €19.99, can be shared across multiple phones.

With the TomTom app, yes, you can add favorites, but they cannot be transferred to multiple GPS devices like the older Amigo app.

I'm not sure what extra benefits I get from paying £29.99/year for my Family licence. In fact I'm not sure what extra benefits any regular car driver gets from the paid version of TomTom when the free version has all the functionality plus updated maps. Maybe there is something in the paid version for those driving trucks or RVs but what is there for regular car drivers?

 

[Willy875]

@nigelbb The difference between the paid and free versions is that you can plan a route or add favorite places via TomTom Maps, which isn't possible with the free version.

The advantage of the family license is that your wife and children can also use the paid app at no extra cost.

 

[jaco]

In addition, the paid version allows you to download maps, which is not (yet) possible on the free version (at least on iPhone).

 

[nigelbb]

@nigelbb The difference between the paid and free versions is that you can plan a route or add favorite places via TomTom Maps, which isn't possible with the free version.

The advantage of the family license is that your wife and children can also use the paid app at no extra cost.

I don't use TomTom Maps so that is not a problem for me. if it's lacking from the free version.

I loaded up the new free version. It's nice. I can add favourites. The biggie is that the voice doesn't mangle place names like the I used TomTom on my iPhone 12 with display on a CarPlay tablet. The one notable problem I have is that even though I enabled audio alerts for exceeding the speed limit I don't hear anything. Apart from that I see no reason to pay for TomTom.

The advantage of the free version is that my wife & children can all use the app without paying a penny.

 

[nigelbb]

In addition, the paid version allows you to download maps, which is not (yet) possible on the free version (at least on iPhone).

I'm not sure that is an issue for me. It's only very occasionally I find that have no Internet access on my iPhone. I use a roaming eSIM as a backup to my network provider. In any case both Google Maps & Apple Maps offer the ability to download maps for offline use so it's a non-issue.

 

[Willy875]

Tomtom map is free, it is only compatible with the GO Expert application. https://plan.tomtom.com/fr/?p=52.44453,-0.59111,6.74z

This FAQ explains how Plan-Tomtom works https://help.tomtom.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360013958599-Importing-items-in-Plan-TomTom-com

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

As far as I can see the main difference is aprt from the favourites/rules on the paid for app. Is fo me the route bar on the paid version. To be made aware of the certain items, speed cameras and traffic etc is important to me. But it is a matter of choice. Neither app show average seed in a average speed zone. Have suggested it to TT so await the inclusion?

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Sorry should have read favourites/routes.

 

[brianwatts99]

For me the most important advantage of the paid for app is offline maps. Here in Australia on a remote road trip, and maybe no mobile phone reception for hours at a time, it is good to have the app working all the time. Also planning routes and saving places is a major benefit if on a trip.

 

[nigelbb]

As far as I can see the main difference is aprt from the favourites/rules on the paid for app. Is fo me the route bar on the paid version. To be made aware of the certain items, speed cameras and traffic etc is important to me. But it is a matter of choice. Neither app show average seed in a average speed zone. Have suggested it to TT so await the inclusion?

My TomTom Go Expert definitely shows average speed in an average speed zone in the UK. It needs to be a permanent average speed zone not just a temporary zone in road works. It's displayed in the side bar.

 

[nigelbb]

I loaded up the free TomTom app on my iPhone & in general it works well. The maps look nice & the voice guidance excellent with none of the mangling of place names seen in TomTom GO Expert for years.

A major irritation is that the audible warning of exceeding the speed limit is all but useless. It doesn't seem to operate half the time & when it does it's almost inaudible. Exceed the speed limit in TomTom GO Expert & there is a loud "Beep! Beep! Beep!" With the free app there is a soft "plunk".

I think on balance I will renew my subscription for TomTom GO Expert but I'm surprised that TomTom aren't interested in making money any more. With the original TomTom we paid £19.99/year for traffic information which I thought a great deal. I'm really surprised that TomTom don't do this with the new free app.

 

[Mark25]

Unless you need to download maps because you are often out of contact with a mobile phone network for a significant amount of time my advice to anyone paying a subscription is to try the free version before you renew your subscription.

The only problem I found with the free app is that if you selected a destination it took you to the middle of the post code area, not the destination, which in the UK can be miles away. It did this several times before I got wise to it and used What3words which used to be linked to the free TomTom app, until they TomTom broke the link a few months ago. Petty, short-sighted and spiteful IMO. If you need precise navigation to a destination within a few metres you therefore might want to stick with your paid for device, or move to What3Words which is linked GoogleMaps, and is free.

 

[jaco]

You could use Mapcode app to copy the mapcode of your destination, then paste it in the free Tomtom App...

 

[Mark25]

Good idea. I didn't know about Mapcode Finder app. I have downloaded and installed it on my phone. I have manually typed it into the free TomTom app search window and it gets me to where it's supposed to be, so the free TomTom app recognises mapcodes.

Instead of manually typing the mapcode into TomTom how do you paste it into the TomTom free app ?

Do you use Mapcode Finder with the free TomTom app ?