French map app tops downloads
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 app launched in 2022 is taking on the likes of Google Maps and Waze by becoming one of the most downloaded navigation aids in the country.
Used by more than 230,000 motorists every month, its popularity among motorists is largely fuelled by its ease of use.
Called Roole, the app is free to use, although there are also paid-for versions. It is published by an insurance broker called Identicar.
Drivers must have mobile data activated on their phone to use the maps and receive traffic and weather updates – there is no ‘offline’ version where maps can be pre-downloaded.
Traffic information comes from the same government database that sends out warnings on car radios when the TA (Traffic Announcement) function is activated.
If cars are fitted with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, Roole will sync with them.
Aimed at making driving as simple as possible, the app focuses on navigation but also flags petrol stations along the route and their prices, calculating the cost of each journey based on the typical fuel consumption of each type of car.
For electric car drivers, it locates recharging points by their power and the type of cable used, and shows tariffs.
Traffic jams show up in real time and an up-to-date map shows the location of speed and red light cameras. These are signalled using GPS coordinates rather than radar detection receivers, the latter of which are illegal in France.
Premium services start at €7 a month for "mobility solutions”, such as roadside assistance. For €16 a month complementary insurance is offered for motorists, and for €19 users can benefit from another insurance scheme offering help with vehicle repairs.
As with many car insurance policies in France, the cover includes a help number to arrange towing to a nearby garage.
The company also offers a €49 tracking device to help locate the vehicle if it is stolen.
Roole’s competition includes US company Waze, owned by Google, and Coyote, a French firm which offers a community app to guide motorists and alert them in real time about dangers on the road.
Apple also has navigation features on its Maps app, as does Google Maps. They are available on both Android and Apple phones but some people find them less easy to use than dedicated navigation apps.
