On X
onX is revolutionizing the GPS mapping app market with a product that looks better, has better technology, and is more user-first than any other. Beyond basic routing and tracking features, onX has significantly improved backcountry safety and trip planning strategies through new layers in the app: Backcountry Hiking & Skiing, Off-Roading, and Hunting. This summer, the app debuted a wildfire layer, which shows the location of and provides basic information about current wildfires in the area. In the winter, onX has an equally useful avalanche forecast layer, which shows potential spawn points based on current conditions as well as factors such as slope angle and orientation, elevation, and terrain traps. The layer goes so far as to show the size and scope of avalanches in a given location, and also provides information on routes to avoid potential spawn points. There are specialized tools for hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, overlanders, and skiers, all available with a $34.99 Premium annual subscription or a $99.99 Elite annual subscription. No other app, service or educational tool provides more up-to-date safety information for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. ā Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor
Whimsical
Being based in Denver, a United Airlines hub, I deeply appreciate the award-winning United app for providing all the information I need in a timely and reliable way. However, my job requires me to travel a lot, and I can't always fly United. I've tried Flightly a few times on recent trips, and it brings the same functionality as the United app to all other airlines. Flightly pushes information like flight updates, gate changes, and turnaround times directly to your phone. It predicts delays and sends them to you right away. As someone who always looks at the time in the air and underestimates how much time it takes to get things done on the ground, I especially appreciate the taxi, takeoff, and landing times. This is a huge help for anyone who obsessively tracks planes for their flights, in knowing exactly what to expect. And unlike the usual delay notifications, Flighty usually lists the cause of the delay as well, so you can plan accordingly. It's more reliable than a repeat gate announcement that boarding will be delayed another 15 minutes every 30 minutes. And best of all? It's a universal service, covering every airline around the world, every day of the year. ā Nicholas Hines, Editor-in-Chief
Omio and Busbud
I am a big fan of bus travel. While some people may get excited about taking trains in a foreign country, I almost always check first whether a bus will get me where I want to go, especially for long-distance or cross-border trips (for several reasons I wrote about before). I always rely on Omio to search and book bus tickets in Europe (the platform also covers the US and Canada, trains, ferries, and planes). It is a great option, especially if you want to compare different modes of travel on long-distance routes. For example, if I want to go from Barcelona to Paris, I can easily see which is more time- and cost-effective: booking a budget airline, taking a train, or taking a bus. Busbud focuses mainly on intercity bus and train travel, but has a wider global reach, with bus and train options available in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Both platforms are reliable, comprehensive, and easy to use. āAlex Bressler, Editor
Z
In theory, it's not that hard to memorize the exchange rates of the currencies used in your destination and use a simple formula to calculate how much things will cost abroad. In reality, I'm not good at math and it takes me a really long time to come up with accurate numbers, especially when I'm negotiating something or making a purchase in a hurry. Xe does all the hard work for me. The app converts your currency in real time and quickly, depending on the numbers you enter into any currency around the world. Keep the app on your phone for quick access while traveling so you always know what you're paying for and how much you're paying for. It also helps you budget for travel expenses that aren't pre-booked, like accommodation. The only downside is that it requires an internet connection, but a decent phone plan will solve that problem. ā Nicholas Hines, Editor-in-Chief
Airaro
I've been using Airalo, an eSIM marketplace, as a digital replacement for physical SIM cards since before the latest iPhones completely removed the SIM card tray. It's easy to use: just use the Airalo app on your smartphone or website to choose the best eSIM for the country or region you're visiting, choose the amount of data you expect to use given the duration of your trip, and follow the installation and activation guide. As a non-technical person, I like the step-by-step user-friendly instructions and graphics that make setting up your eSIM a breeze. I've used Airalo in Europe (both short trips to specific countries and longer trips across multiple countries) and parts of Asia, and it's always been an affordable, fast, and reliable service. The best part is that you can top up your plan while you're using it, and you get credits (Airmoney) when you refer friends (many of my friends are now avid Airalo users too). āAlex Bressler, Editor
flash
It used to be that if you went to any city and needed to use the bathroom, the simple answer was to go to a bar. If it served alcohol, it usually had bathrooms. It was harder when you were traveling with people who didn't want to finish their drinks for the bathroom, and even harder when you had kids who couldn't get into the bar. Few travelers want to actively think about bathroom breaks, but they're a necessary consideration on any trip, especially one that involves a long day on the road. Flush simplifies everything by showing you all the public bathrooms near you. We've helped with family trips to France and Italy, emergency restroom requests back home, and late-night adventures. The bathroom locations listed vary, but they're all public places. Sometimes the nearest option is a Starbucks or a gas station, and sometimes it's a park. There are also semi-permanent, portable bathrooms. And they're all linked to a map, so you can easily find the quickest walking route to the bathroom. ā Nicholas Hines, Editor-in-Chief
wise
Wise looks like a bank, but it's a “money services business.” I've been using it for over 3 years for international transfers and more. You can hold balances in over 40 currencies and send money to bank accounts in a multitude of countries with much less fees than traditional banks. In my case, while living as a digital nomad in different countries, I was able to receive payments from the US, send money to friends, and pay for goods and services in places like Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and Spain. If your friends or family also use Wise, or if you send money from a balance in the same currency to their bank account, you usually pay minimal fees to transfer money or no fees at all. For example, if you send 1,000 euros from your own euro balance to your euro account, the fee is only 0.95 cents (try the fee calculator). The exchange rates are excellent (much better than the exchange rates you'd get at a traditional bank) and you even get a Wise debit card that can be used worldwide. ā Deb GC, SEO Editor
Trip It
I've been using TripIt to create travel itineraries since 2015. Every time I book a hotel, restaurant reservation, flight, etc., I forward my confirmation email to the app's automated email service and it's added to my itinerary without me having to do anything. I love how it organizes my entire trip into an easy-to-understand timeline with my trip confirmation numbers, addresses, and contacts all organized in one place. The app also tracks my travel stats, which is handy as it lets me see how many cities and countries I've visited and how many miles I've traveled. There is a free version and a paid version that offers additional perks like airport maps, flight change notifications, and other handy extras. ā Tim Wenger, Transactional Content Editor
Plant ID
PlantID and similar apps like Picture This and Pl@ntNet are easy to use to identify plants while outdoors or traveling. Just upload one or more images of the plant, mushroom or lichen you want to identify, and the app will use image recognition technology to give you the best estimate. The information you get includes common name, short description and scientific classification. It can help you find poisonous plants, for example, but keep in mind that while artificial intelligence models are constantly improving, the results are not 100% accurate. Accuracy depends on the plant being in the app's database and image recognition working properly. Additionally, if you need to figure out what's going on with one of your plants while you're away, these apps can help you through their plant health assessment option (though some of that information is only available with paid plans). The free version of PlantID allows you to identify up to 10 plants per month. ā Deb GC, SEO Editor