There is a lot of free GPS software that you can use to enhance the functions of your GPS receivers. These downloads are basically scaled-down versions of the purchasable GPS software products. By downloading these applications, you get to taste and experience the ease and navigation advantages of full-scale software.

Sometimes, free software downloads are offered in versions with restricted functionality, disabling certain features and reserving them as a trial-based version of a full-scale GPS software application. Hence, the availability of free downloadable GPS software allows you to use the software for a trial period before actually buying it. This should help you make a wise buying decision for your GPS.

The main purpose of GPS software is to improve and expand existing GPS utilities. Not only that. It helps customize and fine-tune certain features of the device, making them fit specifically to your needs as in geocaching, hiking, sailing or fishing applications. GPS software applications are classified into two main categories. The first category covers all software designed for navigation with route calculation and directions. This hastens the functions of vector-based map on cars, boats or even airplanes. The other category covers all software designed to perform navigation tracking, usually using a map picture in the background to show preprogrammed routes, basically marking the route you plan on taking.

GPS software applications are created to reinforce or enhance the capabilities of a common GPS receiver. They allow real-time tracking, route saving, route planning, import of other similar platforms like Google Earth for enhanced mapping and visualization, setup alerts and support for other compatible devices.

To enhance digital mapping capabilities and more effectively travel roads and highways, you may enhance the visualization and display functions of your device with free GPS software like the 3Droute builder, AddMagMap and BSGP, which support static and Openstreetmap tile maps.

For cache finding, freebies like Cache clusters, Cache Logger and CacheMagnet allows you to find your way through caches as well as find groups of geocaches close together with ease. These kinds of software provide easier geocaching waypoint management, which certainly adds a great deal of advantage for your next treasure hunt.

Free downloadable geocache software includes Geocache Open Areas, geocaching 3.0, and GeoPDF Toolbar. These utilities allow you to record each cache you have found and handle geospatial manipulation, mapping, and map update applications.

Google maps software is perhaps the most popular freebie you can find for your GPS receivers. The GoogleEarthTweaker, Google Map GPS Cell Phone Tracker, Google maps with GPS Tracker and GooPs provides GPS devices with the perfect companion for your occasional drives.

Free mapping GPS software includes MAPC2MAPC, MapExtract, MapKon, Map Maker, Map Man, Map Monkey, MapSendLite and MapSend Lite. These applications enhance the visualizations and display of calibrated digital map files. They also assist the processing and conversion of tracks, route and waypoints. For novice users, these mapping utilities will prove to be useful.

Now for real navigation help, free downloadable software like Navit, Nav'it Mapplet, NDWGeoTag, NMEA compass, NMEA generator and NMEAgent enable GPS receivers to have skinnable compass, and have stand-alone application for real time GPS applications in Google Earth.

There are websites that feature categorized listing of Free GPS software to help GPS owners make the best out of their mobile GPS. Often, these websites feature unbiased interpretations of the benefits and disadvantages of the program, which should help determine which kind of GPS software you need.