The 9 Best Radar Detection Apps for Android

Avoid speeding tickets with these police and speed camera detectors

By
Karen Marcus
Karen Marcus
Karen Marcus
Writer
  • University of Colorado at Denver
  • Colorado State University
Karen Marcus is a former Lifewire writer who has also written for companies like HP, Intel, IBM, Samsung, and others.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on January 27, 2021

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.

01
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The Waze app for Android
What We Like

  • High accuracy.

  • Provides the fastest route to your destination.

  • Includes traffic and hazard alerts.

What We Don't Like

  • High battery usage from constant data reporting.

  • Requires a lot of hands-on interaction.

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.

02
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Best Police Detector App: Cobra iRadar

Cobra iRadar Android app
What We Like

  • Highly accurate and ad-free.

  • Easy to flag speed cameras for other users.

  • Company verifies user-reported information.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features only available with a physical radar detector.

  • Bluetooth may disconnect.

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.

03
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Best Speed Camera App: Radarbot

Radarbot app for Android
What We Like

  • Voice alerts allow communication with drivers in your area.

  • Remains accurate even when few people are using it.

  • Flexible viewing options.

What We Don't Like

  • Intrusive ads in the free version.

  • Interface is less user-friendly than some similar apps.

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.

04
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Best Built-in Speedometer: Speed Camera Radar

Speed Camera Radar Android app
What We Like

  • Day and night modes.

  • Supported in many countries.

  • Supports voice commands.

What We Don't Like

  • Lots of ads.

  • May issue false radar notifications.

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.

05
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Best International Support: Speed Cameras Radar

Speed Cameras Radar Android app
What We Like

  • Designed to work in dozens of countries worldwide.

  • Map shows a variety of radar types.

  • Integrates with Google Maps.

What We Don't Like

  • Some alerts may still function during background mode.

  • No audio alerts for some types of radars.

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.

06
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Tried and True: Escort Live

Escort Live radar app for Android
What We Like

  • Customizable dashboard.

  • Easy-to-read interface.

What We Don't Like

  • Quickly uses up battery power.

  • Frequent alerts may obstruct map view.

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.

07
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Avoid Traffic Messes: Glob (GPS, Traffic, Radar, and Speed Limits)

Glob Android app (GPS, Traffic, Radar, and Speed Limits)
What We Like

  • Automatic rerouting helps avoid traffic jams. 

  • Easy to help other drivers by reporting speed traps.

What We Don't Like

  • High battery use.

  • No offline mode.

  • Inconsistent speed limit display.

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.

08
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Track Your Mileage: Speed Camera & Radar

Speed Cameras & Traffic Android app
What We Like

  • Provides mileage tracking and driving history.

  • Very clean interface.

  • Includes dash cam to record videos of your trips.

What We Don't Like

  • Doesn't start automatically when you begin driving.

  • Picks up speed cameras on the opposite side of the road.

  • Some users report inconsistent results.

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.

09
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Best Sound Alerts: Radar Beep

Radar Beep Android app
What We Like

  • Opens when your phone connects to your vehicle's Bluetooth.

  • Automatic updates.

  • Shows exact location of radars.

What We Don't Like

  • No Google Maps integration.

  • Radar warnings come too close to radars.

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.

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