By situation
Without paying a subscription: which planner to use
Several capable options cost nothing, though it is worth understanding who is paying for them instead.
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What actually decides it
Several of these are free because charging networks pay for placement or the vendor sells electricity. That is not a criticism, but it is worth knowing whose interest the default sort serves.
How each one handles it
| Product | Usable without paying | What the documentation says |
|---|---|---|
| A Better Routeplanner | ● Yes | Planning, model database and basic charger search are free. |
| Apple Maps | ● Yes | Free with the device. |
| Chargemap | ● Yes | The map and app are free; the pass and premium tiers are not. |
| Chargeprice | ● Yes | Described as free to use. |
| Drive Charge Eat (our own app) | ○ No | Subscription only, with no free trial stated. |
| Octopus Electroverse | ● Yes | Free to join, with the card free to order. |
| Google Maps | ● Yes | Free. |
| PlugShare | ● Yes | Free. |
| Tesla in-car navigation | ● Yes | Included; there is nothing extra to buy. |
| Zapmap | ● Yes | Free, with a paid Premium tier. |
The honest caveat
One capability does not settle a purchase. This page sorts on usable without paying because that is what this situation turns on, but price, platform and country coverage will rule some of the shortlist out — those are on each product's own page.