Police radar detectors can help you avoid speed traps and identify things like real-time traffic congestion, accidents, and road closures. While there aren’t many true radar detector apps for Android, there are plenty of free apps that enable users to share information about speed cameras and traffic blocks.
These apps are free to download from the Google Play Store. Check individual app requirements to make sure they are compatible with your phone.
Best Traffic Navigation App: Waze
Waze isn’t a radar detector per se, but it can still help you avoid areas where you might get caught for speeding. This multifunctional app is a GPS navigation tool that allows users to help each other out by tagging traffic jams, accidents, road closures, potholes, parked police cars, and traffic cameras. You’ll get a warning whenever you get near one of those areas.
High accuracy.
Provides the fastest route to your destination.
Includes traffic and hazard alerts.
High battery usage from constant data reporting.
Requires a lot of hands-on interaction.
Best Police Detector App: Cobra iRadar
This app enables users to contribute information about police, speed cameras, and red-light cameras. In addition, Cobra iRadar syncs with your calendar to create driving directions to meetings and appointments. If you also have a physical radar detector, you can connect it to the app and share real-time updates with other users.
Highly accurate and ad-free.
Easy to flag speed cameras for other users.
Company verifies user-reported information.
Some features only available with a physical radar detector.
Bluetooth may disconnect.
Best Speed Camera App: Radarbot
Unlike some of the other apps on this list, Radarbot relies on information from an actual speed camera detection system. So, you’ll be covered even in less crowded areas with fewer people submitting information. Use it for free or upgrade to remove ads. Radarbot also integrates with Google Maps, so you can receive navigation alerts.
Voice alerts allow communication with drivers in your area.
Remains accurate even when few people are using it.
Flexible viewing options.
Intrusive ads in the free version.
Interface is less user-friendly than some similar apps.
Best Built-in Speedometer: Speed Camera Radar
Like Waze, Speed Camera Radar detects various types of road hazards as reported by other users. It also has its own detection system that can identify speed guns, red-light cameras, and stationary speed cameras. It displays your current driving speed, so you’ll know if you need to slow down when you approach one of these areas.
Day and night modes.
Supported in many countries.
Supports voice commands.
Lots of ads.
May issue false radar notifications.
Best International Support: Speed Cameras Radar
Not to be confused with Speed Camera Radar, Speed Cameras Radar features a clean design and easy-to-use interface. In addition to contributor updates, it maintains a fixed database of known speed cameras. It also integrates with Google Maps and includes a background mode to help save battery power.
Designed to work in dozens of countries worldwide.
Map shows a variety of radar types.
Integrates with Google Maps.
Some alerts may still function during background mode.
No audio alerts for some types of radars.
Tried and True: Escort Live
This award-winning app has been around for many years and provides a user network to share the location of speed detection devices in real-time. It even warns you about areas where such devices have been detected in the past just in case. Download it for free or upgrade to the premium version to access more features.
Customizable dashboard.
Easy-to-read interface.
Quickly uses up battery power.
Frequent alerts may obstruct map view.
Avoid Traffic Messes: Glob (GPS, Traffic, Radar, and Speed Limits)
This free app lets you choose between 2D and 3D versions of maps so that you can prioritize faster loading time or greater detail. It uses a variety of sources to deliver highly accurate traffic information including speed camera locations.
Automatic rerouting helps avoid traffic jams.
Easy to help other drivers by reporting speed traps.
High battery use.
No offline mode.
Inconsistent speed limit display.
Track Your Mileage: Speed Camera & Radar
This nicely designed app allows you to set the speed limit for the road you’re driving on and get alerts about speed traps and stationary speed cameras. It also includes red light camera alerts. The premium version allows you to display driving information on your windshield. You can display your speed, speed limits, and warnings within other apps such as Google Maps.
Provides mileage tracking and driving history.
Very clean interface.
Includes dash cam to record videos of your trips.
Doesn’t start automatically when you begin driving.
Picks up speed cameras on the opposite side of the road.
Some users report inconsistent results.
Best Sound Alerts: Radar Beep
Like many of the other apps listed, this one uses GPS and radar detection to identify speed monitoring devices. It gives a proportionally loud sound alert depending on how close a radar is located. It also provides alerts about heavy traffic and accidents. Radar Beep is ad-supported, but you can upgrade to remove ads.
Opens when your phone connects to your vehicle’s Bluetooth.
Automatic updates.
Shows exact location of radars.
No Google Maps integration.
Radar warnings come too close to radars.
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
