Outdooractive Review: How Does It Stack Up?

Outdooractive is a comprehensive platform covering a broad spectrum of outdoor activities – from hiking and mountaineering to cycling and even skiing. It often comes up as an alternative to Komoot, especially in Europe, for route planning and finding tours. In this review, we zoom in on Outdooractive’s capabilities for cycling route planning and navigation, evaluating its functionality, user experience, and how it performs specifically for cyclists.

What is Outdooractive?

Outdooractive was launched in 2008 in Germany, evolving from various tourism and mapping projects led by its founder Hartmut Wimmer. Today, it boasts around 60 million users globally, making it one of the largest platforms for outdoor routes and experiences. The platform’s ambition is to be a one-stop resource for all things outdoors – think of it as a giant repository of trails, maps, and guides.

Some key characteristics:

• Multi-sport coverage: Outdooractive isn’t just for cycling. It has 8 main categories and 42 specific sport types. For example, within cycling it distinguishes road biking, mountain biking, e-biking, cycle touring, etc. It also covers hiking, trail running, climbing, skiing, and even niche activities like snowshoeing or sledding. This broad scope means a ton of content, but also a lot of options to sift through.

• Community-generated and Official Content: Users can upload routes (tours) and share them publicly. In addition, Outdooractive partners with tourism boards, trail parks, and publishers to host official trail info and guides. This means when searching, you might find professionally curated routes (like a national park’s bike trail) alongside user-uploaded ones.

• Web and App integration: Like others, Outdooractive syncs between its website and smartphone app. Plan or find a route on the big screen, then navigate with your phone in the field.

For cyclists, the appealing aspect of Outdooractive is access to a huge catalog of bike routes worldwide, and detailed topographic maps (especially if you subscribe) that can be useful for understanding terrain.

Planning Cycling Routes with Outdooractive

Outdooractive offers a feature called “Tourenplaner” (Route Planner) for making your own routes, and “Tourensuche” (Tour Search) for finding existing routes.

Finding existing routes (Tourensuche): This is one of Outdooractive’s strengths. You can input a location or move the map to an area, set a filter for the activity (e.g., “Rennrad” for road cycling, or “Radtour” for cycling tour, etc.), and the map will display a bunch of symbols representing routes in that area. Clicking on one gives you the route details: description, distance, elevation, photos, difficulty rating, user comments, etc. Because Outdooractive’s community is large and covers many regions, you’ll often find a good selection of bike routes, from family-friendly river paths to challenging alpine road climbs.

This is great for inspiration or if you prefer not to plan from scratch. For example, if you visit a new region and want a nice ride, Outdooractive likely has several user-posted or official tours to choose from. In Germany, for instance, many official bike routes (like the Bodensee-Königssee Radweg) are documented on Outdooractive.

Creating your own route (Tourenplaner): The interface is map-based with route drawing tools. It supports both manual mode and snap-to-trail mode (like Komoot’s planner). Outdooractive’s planner lets you select the sport (make sure to pick the correct cycling category so the algorithm knows how to route – e.g., select “bike: racing bike” for a road ride). The platform has an interesting feature: an overlay for cycling networks. If you activate the “Cycling” overlay on the map, it highlights official bike network routes and bike-friendly paths in the area. This can guide your planning by showing, for example, which minor roads are part of national or regional cycle routes.

However, when it comes to automatic routing for cycling, Outdooractive has some known weaknesses. According to a road cycling test in TOUR magazine, Outdooractive’s algorithm was not as adept as Komoot or Strava’s in choosing the best roads for road bikers. In their words, it often routed cyclists “kilometer-long over main roads even if more attractive side roads were nearby”. The algorithm didn’t consistently prioritize cyclist-friendly ways or community-recommended routes in its suggestions. Essentially, it might lean more toward direct routing (similar to car GPS logic) unless you manually intervene.

This means if you let Outdooractive auto-route a point A to B for road cycling, double-check the result. You may need to add waypoints to force it onto smaller roads if it hasn’t done so. In the example from TOUR, Komoot and Strava automatically chose the quieter parallel road, whereas Outdooractive initially took the busy main road until the user adjusted it.

That said, for mountain biking or hiking, Outdooractive’s routing is quite solid since it has extensive trail data. It’s likely the road cycling profile just isn’t as aggressively tuned to avoid traffic by default. But because the platform highlights official routes, a savvy user can work around this by following those highlights.

Outdooractive does allow you to see elevation profiles and will estimate difficulty. It also has a “Travel Guide” feature – if you click a country or region, it might list popular areas and routes there, acting like a digital guidebook.

Maps and Offline Use

One of Outdooractive’s biggest selling points is its maps, especially for subscribers:

• The free version gives you an Outdooractive Basemap (which is quite clear, showing terrain shading, elevation lines, and has a clean look, much like Komoot’s map). It’s basically a very good topo map styled for outdoor use. You also get an OSM map and maybe one or two others (but not sure if any others are free).

• With Outdooractive Pro (€2.50/month), you gain access to the official Outdooractive topo map (a bit more detailed), plus satellite imagery, and crucially the ability to download maps and routes for offline use. Pro also enables the “route networks” overlay (showing e.g. all official cycle routes in bright lines).

• With Outdooractive Pro+ (€5/month), you unlock a bundle of premium maps from national mapping agencies – e.g., the excellent SwissTopo maps, USGS maps, Ordnance Survey (UK) maps, etc. (five such maps are included at a time). Plus you get advanced weather forecasts and possibly avalanche info for winter, etc.

For cyclists, the offline navigation is a key feature of Pro – you can save the map tiles for your route or area and navigate without data. The app will do turn-by-turn directions and record your track offline, as long as you preloaded everything. This puts Outdooractive on par with Komoot and RWGPS in terms of being usable out in the boonies. Just remember to download your stuff before you go.

The quality of the maps is excellent – especially if you value topographic detail (like contour lines, hill shading). This is great for mountain bikers or gravel riders who want to gauge the remoteness or steepness of terrain. Road cyclists might find the detail less critical but still helpful in hilly regions.

Navigation with Outdooractive App

Using the Outdooractive app to navigate a route is similar to other apps:

• You pick a route (either one you planned or one you found in the library) and hit “Start Navigation.”

• The app offers turn-by-turn voice directions. It will display a map, show your progress, and announce upcoming turns. From user feedback, the navigation works reliably. The display will likely show distance to next turn, current speed, distance covered, etc. (It might have customizable data fields, though not as many as a Garmin device).

• If you go off route, Outdooractive can recalculate – but only if you have internet at that moment (similar to Komoot). It does have an “automatic reroute” function you can enable, which is handy, but again it needs data to fetch a new route.

One noted downside: if you need to modify a route mid-ride (say, cut it short or take a detour intentionally), you would have to do that with an internet connection. Outdooractive doesn’t let you drag the route around on the fly offline; you’d essentially have to stop and use the planner with data or navigate freestyle.

A positive: Outdooractive allows GPX export for free. That means even if you use the free version, you can download any route’s GPX file and load it on another device or app. This openness is great – you’re not locked in. If a friend without Outdooractive wants a route you found, you can just send them the GPX. Many alternative apps charge for that feature, so kudos here.

User Experience and Handling

Given its broad scope, Outdooractive’s UI can feel a bit more complex or cluttered compared to a single-purpose app. There are many categories and filter options to navigate. New users might need a little time to get the hang of the app. However, once you’re in the cycling context, it becomes easier: you stick to the cycling category and work within that.

The map screen is a central part of the app, and it’s quite powerful. You can toggle layers and overlays if you have the features. The detail on the map (even free) is very good – contour lines, shading, and distinct coloring for roads, trails, etc., makes it “very easy to read” the terrain. In fact, the base map readability was praised in comparison tests.

One consideration: Because Outdooractive tries to serve many masters (cyclists, hikers, etc.), some of its default routing preferences are not as aggressively cyclist-specific. For instance, we discussed how the road bike auto-routing had some shortcomings. This is likely because their algorithm balances multiple activities and maybe doesn’t apply as many avoidances for the road bike profile by default. It may improve over time, especially as more cyclists use it and contribute.

The app also offers nice extras:

• Weather info: Pro members can see detailed forecasts along the route (helpful for long rides).

• Community and Social: Users can leave ratings and comments on routes, or even post pictures. You can follow other users or join groups. It’s not as “social media” as Strava, but there is a sense of community sharing tips.

• Navigate External Devices: You can send routes to certain GPS devices or simply use the GPX export for that.

Performance-wise, Outdooractive app is generally stable. One thing to note: because it can display heavy map layers (especially big topo maps), it might use a bit more battery or require a decent phone to run smoothly with everything on. But turning the screen off and relying on voice (or occasional checks) can mitigate battery drain, as with any navigation.

Plans and Pricing

Outdooractive operates on a freemium model:

• Basic (Free): You get access to all user-generated routes, the ability to plan routes online, GPX download, and use the basic online maps (OSM, Outdooractive basemap) with an internet connection. You can also record your activities with the app and save your completed tracks.

• Pro (€2.50/month, ~€30/year): Includes offline maps (download tiles for use offline), the Outdooractive topo map, satellite view, route network overlays, and removing ads. Essentially, it unlocks most of the core navigation features cyclists care about: offline capability and better maps. It’s quite reasonably priced monthly, and sometimes you can find promo deals or bundle with other services.

• Pro+ (€5/month, ~€60/year): Includes everything in Pro plus access to premium maps (like official government topo maps of various countries), advanced weather (hourly forecasts, etc.), and some Alpine safety layers (for backcountry). It also supports “TOPO maps of five countries of your choice” which you can change when needed. For a cyclist, Pro+ might be overkill unless you specifically want those topo maps or are also an avid hiker who values the extra detail.

No one-time purchase option is available – it’s subscription only for the paid tiers. This might be a con for some who prefer lifetime licenses. However, given the continuous updates and content partnerships, the sub model makes sense for them.

Compared to other apps, Outdooractive’s free tier is generous in letting you download GPX and use the planner without paying. You only pay if you want better maps offline or some special content.

Outdooractive Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extensive Route Database: Outdooractive has a vast collection of cycling routes (and other outdoor tours) thanks to its community and partnerships. For almost any region, you can find pre-made routes – from leisurely bike tours to epic mountain passes.

• Great Mapping and Detail: The map quality is top-notch. Even free users get a clear, topo-aware map. Pro users get access to official high-detail maps and satellite imagery. This level of cartographic detail can be very useful for route planning and understanding the terrain.

• GPX Download and Sharing (Free): Unlike some competitors, Outdooractive allows GPX export even on the free account. This openness is great for flexibility – you can use the data outside the app easily.

• Offline Navigation Supported: With a Pro subscription, you can navigate offline with turn-by-turn directions. It’s reliable for navigating in areas without cell service (as long as you download maps ahead).

• Multi-Activity Benefits: If you do more than just cycle – say you hike, climb, or ski – Outdooractive can serve all those needs in one app. You don’t need separate apps for each sport. It’s a comprehensive outdoors platform.

• Community and Content Richness: Many routes on Outdooractive come with detailed descriptions, tips, photos, and even recommendations for sights or eateries. It’s very much like a guidebook entry in some cases, which can enrich your cycling experience (know what to see on the way, where to take a break, etc.).

Cons:

• Cycling Route Algorithm Needs Improvement: For automatically planning road cycling routes, Outdooractive’s algorithm was noted to sometimes choose less ideal roads (busy streets) unless manually corrected. It doesn’t yet match the cyclist-specific routing quality of Komoot or Strava’s popularity-based routing in all cases.

• Subscription for Full Features: The most useful features for serious users (offline use, best maps) require a subscription (Pro/Pro+). There is no one-time purchase alternative, which might deter those who dislike ongoing fees.

• Complexity and Overload: The sheer amount of content and options can overwhelm. The app’s interface might feel cluttered – especially when compared to the simplicity of something like Komoot. It may take a bit more effort to learn and navigate the interface efficiently.

• No On-the-Fly Reroute Offline: If you deviate from your route while offline, Outdooractive won’t recalc until you’re online again. Similar to others, but worth noting.

• Focus Diffusion: Because it caters to many activities, sometimes cycling-specific needs might not be addressed as sharply. Features like live segments (Strava) or cycling-specific cues aren’t their focus. It’s more of a generalist app.

Conclusion: Is Outdooractive Good for Cyclists?

Outdooractive is extremely useful for cyclists who love exploring and want a rich repository of routes and maps. If you often ask “Where can I ride around here?” and enjoy having lots of options, Outdooractive delivers with its tour search and detailed maps. It’s especially strong for touring and recreational cycling, where the journey and sightseeing matter as much as the ride – thanks to its wealth of content and POIs.

For road cyclists seeking the optimal training loop, Outdooractive can do the job, but you might need to ensure the route avoids main roads by manual tweaks. Its planning engine isn’t cyclist-perfect yet, but the tools (network overlays, etc.) allow a savvy user to make it work well. And for mountain bikers or gravel riders, the detailed trail maps and huge trail database are a big plus compared to road-only tools.

The price of Pro is fairly reasonable for what you get (offline nav and great maps around the world at ~$30/year). If you are also into hiking or other outdoor pursuits, that subscription becomes even more valuable by consolidating your maps and routes in one place.

In a nutshell, Outdooractive lives up to its name – it’s a broad outdoor adventure platform. For cycling, it offers unparalleled content and mapping, albeit with a routing engine that might require a bit more user input to ensure ideal results. It might not unseat Komoot as the cyclists’ favorite in some communities, but it certainly deserves a spot in the cyclist’s toolkit, especially if you value comprehensive maps and multi-sport functionality.