Polarsteps: Automatically Track Your Route and Create a Free Travel Photo Book

Polarsteps is a travel tracking app that uses your phone's GPS to automatically record everywhere you go during a trip. You do not need to check in, type notes constantly, or manually log locations. The app runs quietly in the background and builds a map of your journey as you travel.

At the end of each day, Polarsteps shows you a timeline of the places you visited, along with a map that draws out your route. You can add photos and short diary entries to each stop, and the app calculates interesting statistics like total distance traveled, countries visited, and time spent at each location.

Your trip is presented in a visual, shareable format that looks like a travel magazine. Friends and family can follow along in real time by viewing your trip on the Polarsteps website. You can share a link without requiring them to download the app or create an account.

One of Polarsteps' most popular features is the printed photo book. After your trip, Polarsteps can generate a professionally designed book featuring your route map, photos, diary entries, and travel statistics. You order it through the app and it arrives by mail. The books start at around $29 for a basic softcover and go up based on number of pages and paper quality.

Battery life is a common concern with any GPS-tracking app. Polarsteps is designed to be more energy-efficient than continuous active tracking. It updates your location periodically rather than every second, which reduces battery drain a lot. Most users report losing an extra 10 to 15 percent of battery life per day compared to not running the app.