French driving app challenges Google Maps and Waze
Roole is free to use although there are also paid-for versions
Used by more than 230,000 motorists every month, the application's popularity among motorists is largely fuelled by its ease of use
roole.fr
A French navigation app launched in 2022 is increasingly positioning itself as an alternative to Google Maps and Waze, becoming one of the most downloaded driving apps in France.
Used by more than 230,000 motorists each month, its popularity is driven largely by its ease of use, as well as a growing range of features designed specifically for drivers.
Called Roole Map, the app is free to use, although paid-for services are also available. It is published by the automotive services company and insurance broker Roole (formerly Identicar).
Drivers must have mobile data activated to use the service and receive live traffic and weather updates, as there is no offline mode allowing maps to be downloaded in advance.
Traffic information is drawn from the same government-backed database used for radio traffic alerts when the TA (Traffic Announcement) function is activated.
If a vehicle is equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Roole Map can integrate directly with the system.
The app focuses on making journeys simpler and more economical. It highlights petrol stations along a route and compares fuel prices, calculating estimated journey costs based on typical consumption for different vehicle types.
For electric vehicles, it also identifies charging points by power level, connector type, and pricing.
More recently, Roole Map has expanded its cost tools to include real-time comparisons for tolls, fuel, charging stations, and parking, positioning itself as a planning tool as much as a navigation app.
Alternative to US tech
Roole Map can now also locate parking facilities and indicate where spaces are available.
In a major update introduced in April 2026, the app added community-based reporting, allowing drivers to signal incidents on the road and receive alerts from other users—bringing it closer to Waze’s crowd-sourced model.
Traffic congestion is displayed in real time, along with an up-to-date map showing speed and red-light camera locations. These are identified using GPS coordinates rather than radar-detection devices, which remain illegal in France.
The app is also marketed as an alternative that prioritises user privacy and avoids advertising, a contrast with some mainstream navigation platforms.
Android downloads have surpassed 500,000, while Roole Map has also reached the top five most downloaded navigation apps on the French App Store.
Roole Map offers optional paid services starting at around €7 per month for mobility assistance, such as roadside support. Higher-tier subscriptions, priced at approximately €16 and €19 per month, extend coverage to additional insurance and vehicle repair support.
As with many French insurance-linked services, assistance includes a dedicated helpline to organise towing to a nearby garage.
The company also offers a €49 tracking device designed to help locate stolen vehicles.
Roole Map competes with US-based Waze, owned by Google, as well as French app Coyote, which relies heavily on community-based driving alerts.
Apple Maps and Google Maps remain widely used alternatives across both Android and iOS devices, though some drivers prefer dedicated apps tailored specifically to road conditions and cost optimisation.
