Polarsteps review
Plan, track and relive your trips on a living map
- Polarsteps B.V.
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
Does it deserve #3?
Is Polarsteps worth it?
For most people, yes. Polarsteps scores 8.8/10 and ranks #3 in Travel & Maps. It's best for backpackers and long-trip travelers who want an effortless travel diary. Skip it if you don't want an app logging your location while you travel. Price: Free; Polarsteps Plus listed at $9.99 a month or $34.99 a year in the App Store.
The verdict
Polarsteps tracks your route in the background and draws it on a map as you travel, so family can follow along without you posting a thing. Add photos and stories at each stop, then turn the trip into a printed Travel Book or an auto-made Trip Reel. 2026 brought web planning, flight lookups and finer location privacy. Core features stay free and ad-free, while Plus adds 3D maps and elevation stats for hikers.
- Automatic route tracking
- Live trip sharing for family
- AI itinerary planner
- Printed Travel Books
- Trip Reels with map flyovers
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Sep 2026Stricter limits on access to public profile data after a Dutch media investigation
- Jul 2026Polarsteps Plus launched with 3D maps, elevation profiles and trip replays
- Jun 2026Trip planning on the web, in-app flight lookup and new live location privacy settings
Privacy 7.0/10
Trips are private or followers-only by default, and Polarsteps says it is ad-free and doesn't sell data. App Store label: location, contacts, financial info, search history and more may be linked to you.
What we like
- Records your route automatically
- Family can follow along in real time
- Planning, tracking and sharing are free
What could be better
- Collects a wide range of personal data
- Travel Books cost extra
- Public trip settings can reveal more than you expect
Backpackers and long-trip travelers who want an effortless travel diary
you don't want an app logging your location while you travel
Questions about Polarsteps
Is Polarsteps worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Polarsteps scores 8.8/10 and ranks #3 in Travel & Maps. It's best for backpackers and long-trip travelers who want an effortless travel diary. Skip it if you don't want an app logging your location while you travel. Price: Free; Polarsteps Plus listed at $9.99 a month or $34.99 a year in the App Store.
Is Polarsteps free?
Yes, planning, tracking, sharing and following trips are free and ad-free. Polarsteps Plus adds extras like 3D maps and elevation profiles, and printed Travel Books cost extra.
Who can see my Polarsteps trips?
Trips and profiles are private or followers-only by default, and you choose whether to make a trip public. Newer settings also let you hide your live location.
What are the best alternatives to Polarsteps?
The closest alternatives are Wanderlog, Google Maps and Airalo. See all of them ranked on our Polarsteps alternatives page.
Where does Polarsteps rank?
Polarsteps ranks #3 of 10 in our Travel & Maps ranking, with an overall score of 8.8 out of 10.