Last Updated on: April 11, 2026

For eight seasons I’ve used the GPS app/tracker service LocaToWeb. Starting the ninth it’s high time to say a few words about it.

LocaToWeb is a handy app for recording your tracks.

“Loca” (nick name for LocaToWeb) is built with simplicity in mind. You know the saying; less is more. Too often designers or developers add too much functionality. And then as a result. raise the price. Which means we often end up paying for functions or service we neither want or need.

Therefore, what I and many like about LocaToWeb is the simplicity, But what it can do, it does well. Whether you drive, ride a motorcycle, a bicycle, trek or walk, this app will prove itself as highly useful.

During the period since I started to use Loca, many similar ones have emerged. From free to use (in the beginning), to the expensive ones. Services with planner tools, route suggesting tools, community tools and a whole host of other things. Advanced, packed with features you might need, one day.

Or maybe never.

The app records your positions even if no mobile connection.

LocaToWeb route library

To date I’ve tracked over 139.000 kilometers with the service. And I’ve kept all the routes, more than partially because it’s cool to know where I’ve been.  Then I can to backtrack my own route or combine them. Feature routes and the latest ones, you may find on this page.

Screeenshot of the user profile and saved tracks

I also like the possibility to download routes as GPX files. There are free tools for editing, splitting or merging GPX files, such as the GPX Studio. In other words, keeping your tracks may evolve into a library that over time can help you discover new places, or revisit those you overlooked.

Edit track view.

Additionally, you can edit an existing track, change name, alias, visibility, and also upload a gpx as an overlay. I think this is a newer feature, one I’ve not tried myself. But with a smart display Loca could with, this option, become both a live route recorder and a route guide.

Pics and map

I like that one can take pics with the app. Using the app makes the pictures appear with a pin on the (google) map. Smart for story telling, to bring back a memory, or if you’re sharing.

The only downside is that for you have to pay for Google map loads which you can buy at LocaToWeb, either for an individual map, or for your profile. That’s down to Google charging for use of Google Maps, not LocaToWeb.

It also comes with OSM as an option and, since a Norwegian service, Statkart or Norgeskart.

Backtracking with Google maps.

The pictures uploaded to the server are 1600×900 pixels, so considerably smaller and more compressed that those stored on your phone. Any larger would mean a lot of data traffic.

LocaToWeb – my thoughts

If you are considering a free solution, just want to record a few tracks, then LocaToWeb might be one of the best. If you’d like to extend the service, like I have, think more long term, but just needs track recording, then it’s still one of the best options out there.

You don’t need to be a nerd or a tech head. You don’t need to drown yourself in options and features. The interface, whether app or web, is self explanatory. It’s a click and go app. The web service and sharing aspect ditto.

Many of my friends and fellow riders like Loca for the very same reasons. What it can do it does very well, and all it cannot do is not needed anyway. I’ve made a few suggestions to the developer. One was implemented (Pause mode).

For full feature list see this page. For help/FAQ go here. My recommendation; just install and try it out.

See also