There is no doubt that GoPro was one of the first companies that put a spotlight on the action camera industry and brought these little beasts of cameras to the mainstream. However, many years have passed since then, and GoPro is no longer the only good option available in the market that you can buy.
Nowadays, with so many competitions and options available in the action camera market, GoPro may not be the best choice for your travel. To make your life easier, I have decided to compile a list of the very best GoPro alternatives you can buy that fit better with your travel style than the generic GoPro action camera.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the 8 best GoPro alternatives you should check out in 2026, from flagship action cameras to tiny wearable cameras and 360° models.
Quick Summary: The best GoPro alternative action cameras to buy for travel?
| Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best GoPro Alternative
DJI Osmo Action 6
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
|
Best With a Flip Screen
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
|
Best 360 Camera
Insta360 X6
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
|
Best for Light Travelers
Insta360 GO Ultra
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
|
Best Wearable Alternative
DJI Osmo Nano
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
|
Best 360 Alternative
DJI Osmo 360 II
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
|
Best Value Previous-Gen
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
|
Best Budget Alternative
AKASO Brave 8
|
Features
|
Check PriceLearn More |
1. DJI Osmo Action 6
If you are looking for the best all-around GoPro alternative, the DJI Osmo Action 6 is the one I would consider first. It is DJI's current flagship action camera and a substantial upgrade over the Action 4 that previously occupied this spot, with a larger 1/1.1-inch square sensor and DJI's first variable-aperture system in an action camera.
The F2.0-F4.0 variable aperture gives the Action 6 more control over light than most action cameras, while the square sensor lets you shoot in DJI's 4K Custom mode and crop the footage horizontally or vertically later. It can also record up to 8K/30fps or 4K/120fps, supports 10-bit D-Log M, and includes 50 GB of usable built-in storage.
For travel and adventure, the Action 6 is particularly compelling because it is waterproof down to 20 meters without a case, weighs only 149 grams, uses DJI's excellent magnetic quick-release system, and retains front and rear touchscreens. If you want a conventional action camera that can handle everything from hiking and diving to vlogging, this is the current DJI model to look at.
2. Insta360 Ace Pro 2
If you prefer an action camera with a proper flip-up screen, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is the current model to consider. It replaces the original Ace Pro in this guide and keeps the same travel-friendly concept while improving the imaging pipeline, screen, battery life, and overall performance.
The Ace Pro 2 uses a 1/1.3-inch sensor and a Leica-developed lens, and it can record up to 8K/30fps or 4K/120fps. It also supports 4K/60fps Active HDR and PureVideo for low-light shooting, backed by a dual-chip processing system designed to handle image processing and AI tasks separately.
Its biggest advantage is still the 2.5-inch flip touchscreen. Instead of relying on a tiny front display when filming yourself, you can flip the main screen forward and see a much larger preview. For solo travelers, vloggers, and anyone who frequently puts themselves in the frame, that makes the Ace Pro 2 one of the best options out there.
3. Insta360 X6
For solo travelers who like the freedom to reframe a shot after filming, the Insta360 X6 is the current flagship 360 camera I would consider. It replaces the X4 that I used to recommend and brings a major jump in both resolution and shooting flexibility.
The X6 uses dual custom 1/1.1-inch square sensors and can capture 8K 360° video at up to 50fps, 6K at up to 60fps, and 4K at up to 100fps. It can also shoot 120 MP 360° photos, while its 6K FreeFrame single-lens mode gives you another way to capture footage that can be cropped into different aspect ratios later.
As with previous Insta360 X cameras, the invisible selfie stick effect is one of the biggest reasons to travel with it. You can hold the camera out in front of you and create shots that look almost like they were captured by a floating camera. The X6 also adds replaceable lenses, which is a particularly useful improvement for an adventure camera where exposed 360 lenses are always vulnerable to scratches.
4. Insta360 GO Ultra
If your priority is carrying the smallest possible camera, the Insta360 GO Ultra is the newer alternative to the GO 3S. The standalone camera weighs just 52.9 grams and retains the magnetic mounting system that makes the GO series so useful for hands-free travel footage.
Despite its tiny body, the GO Ultra uses a relatively large 1/1.28-inch sensor and can shoot 4K/60fps video. You can magnetically attach it to clothing or use small mounts to capture first-person perspectives that would be awkward with a normal action camera.
The camera can also be paired with its Action Pod, which adds a 2.5-inch screen and makes the system behave more like a conventional action camera when you need it. For hiking, cycling, food videos, behind-the-scenes footage, or simply documenting a trip without constantly holding a camera, the GO Ultra is one I would go for.
5. DJI Osmo Nano
The DJI Osmo Nano is DJI's answer to tiny wearable cameras like the Insta360 GO series, and it is a much more relevant recommendation today than the old Insta360 ONE RS that previously occupied this spot. The camera itself weighs only 52 grams and uses a dual-sided magnetic mounting system for hands-free shooting.
It uses a 1/1.3-inch sensor with a 143° field of view and records regular video at up to 4K/60fps, with 4K/120fps available in slow-motion mode. It also supports 10-bit D-Log M, giving you considerably more flexibility when color grading than you would normally expect from such a tiny wearable camera.
The Multifunctional Vision Dock acts as a screen, remote control, charging dock, and transfer station. The camera itself is waterproof to 10 meters, and DJI rates the camera and dock combination for up to 200 minutes of operation under its test conditions. If you like the GO Ultra concept but prefer DJI's ecosystem and color workflow, the Osmo Nano is the obvious alternative.
6. DJI Osmo 360 II
Again, if you want a 360-degree camera and prefer to stay in the DJI ecosystem, the DJI Osmo 360 II is a great alternative to Insta360. Man, Insta360 and DJI have been neck and neck, continuously releasing competing alternatives, and I'm here for it! Competition is great for us consumers.
The Osmo 360 II uses dual 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensors designed to provide the imaging area of a traditional 1-inch-format sensor for 360 capture. It can record 8K/60fps HDR 360° video, capture 120 MP HDR 360° photos, and offers up to 14.5 stops of claimed dynamic range.
It also addresses one of the biggest concerns with 360 cameras by using user-replaceable lenses. The camera weighs 183 grams, includes 105 GB of built-in storage, and is waterproof down to 10 meters without a case. For travelers who want high-resolution 360 footage but prefer DJI's ecosystem, this is the model I would look at.
7. DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
You do not necessarily need the newest flagship to get a great action camera. The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is the previous generation to the Action 6 and remains worth considering when it is significantly cheaper, making it a far more useful than the old Sony RX0 that I previously recommended.
It uses a 1/1.3-inch sensor, dual high-brightness OLED touchscreens, DJI's magnetic quick-release mounting system, and HorizonSteady stabilization. DJI also designed it around long recording times, with up to four hours of claimed battery life under its test conditions.
The Action 6 is the better choice if you want DJI's newest sensor, variable aperture, and 8K recording, but the Action 5 Pro still covers the core things most travelers actually need from an action camera. If its price has dropped substantially below the Action 6 by the time you buy, it can be the smarter value.
8. AKASO Brave 8
If the flagship DJI and Insta360 cameras are outside your budget, the AKASO Brave 8 might be a great alternative. AKASO remains one of the better-known brands focused on the lower-cost end of the action-camera market.
The appeal here is straightforward: you get the familiar action-camera form factor, front and rear screens, 4K recording, stabilization, and the usual mounting options without paying flagship prices. It makes more sense for occasional travel footage than spending heavily on features you may rarely use.
AKASO changes bundles and pricing frequently, so I would compare the currently available Brave 8 variants and packages before buying. If keeping the price as low as possible is your priority, this is the category where AKASO still makes the most sense.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
First Published:
Last updated:
