repeated media reports of Google’s disregard for the privacy of the general public led to a push for open source, community driven alternatives to Google Maps. The biggest contender, now used by Google’s direct competitors and open source projects alike is OpenStreetMap.

  1. OsmAnd

OsmAnd is a fantastic choice when searching for an alternative to Google Maps. It is available on both Android and iOS devices with both free and paid subscription options. Free accounts have full access to maps and navigation features, but choosing a paid subscription will allow you unlimited map downloads and increases the frequency of updates.

All subscriptions can take advantage of turn-by-turn navigation, route planning, map markers, and all the favorite features you expect from a map and navigation app in 2024. By making the jump to a paid subscription you get some extra features like topo maps, nautical depths, and even point-of-interest data imported from Wikipedia.

  1. Organic Maps

Organic Maps is a great choice primarily because they offer support for all features of their iOS and Android apps completely offline. This means if you have an old phone laying around, you can install the app, download the maps you need and presto! You now have an indepth digital map in the palm of your hand without needing to worry about losing or damaging your primary mobile device when exploring the outdoors.

Organic Maps tugs our heartstrings by their commitment to privacy. The app can run entirely without a network connection and comes with no ads, tracking, data collection, and best of all no registration.

  1. Locus Maps

Our third, and last recommendation today is Locus Maps. Locus Maps is built by outdoor enthusiasts for the same community. Hiking, biking, and geocaching are all mainstays of the Locus App, alongside standard street map navigation as well.

Locus is available in its complete version for Android, and an early version is available for iOS which is continuing to be worked on. Locus Maps offers navigation, tracking and routes, and also information on points-of-interest you might visit or stumble upon during your adventures.

  • NaibofTabr@infosec.pub
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    2 months ago

    Without active traffic data, none of these is an adequate substitute for Google Maps navigation.

    • UNY0N@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      That’s the price of privacy. Google has that traffic data because there are so many drivers with thier app installed. If you are OK with a giant corporation monitoring your every move, then of course that convenience is a good reason to use thier services.

      Data is the new oil.

      • HamsterRage@lemmy.ca
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        2 months ago

        I’m not sure if traffic is “convenience” at this point. At least where I live, it’s a nearly essential piece of functionality.

        In fact, for local driving it’s often the only reason to use a map app. I already know how to get to most of the places I want to go, I just need to know the best route to avoid traffic now.

        • UNY0N@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          For me it is, apparently for you it is not. We have different use cases. That’s cool.

          Just to be clear, I’m not here to judge. Everyone has thier own life with it’s multitude of little and big decisions. It would be presumptuous and ignorant of me to assume what applies to me also applies to you.

          The focus should be on helping each other to make informed decisions.

      • 5redie8@sh.itjust.works
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        2 months ago

        Magic Earth kicks serious ass, it’s legitimately performed better than both Google and Apple maps in my area. Searching for businesses is still a little janky, but if you’re patient enough to just use Google maps to find a place and then copy the address it’s exquisite, seriously.

      • boonhet@lemm.ee
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        2 months ago

        It has traffic so it must have infrastructure to maintain, yet it also claims to be completely free.

        How does this project make money?

        • woelkchen@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Why is Magic Earth free? What is the business model?

          Magic Earth is free for all our end-users but we also have a paid Magic Earth SDK for business partners. For instance Selectric.de (a supplier for navigation solutions for ambulances and fire trucks), Smarter AI (developing ADAS systems) or Absolute Cycling (using the platform on bicycles). For more info on the SDK, you can check magiclane.com.

          Do you share data with third parties?

          We send position data to our traffic provider to generate real-time traffic information. The data is anonymized on the phone, using a changing key (so it’s not linked to you), and it is deleted after 5 minutes.

          Will Magic Earth be Open Source?

          No; since it is also used commercially (we have a paid Magic Earth SDK for business partners), we cannot make the code public.

          https://www.magicearth.com/faq-en/

        • Chee_Koala@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Best info i could get is that they do a lot of bussiness to bussiness data stuff, and this nav app is like a showcase. That doesn’t feel great for long term, but you could use it as a secondary app?

    • lemmydripzdotz456@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      If your primary goal is finding out how to get from A to B and not caring about the very fastest way to get from A to B right now, then you don’t need traffic data.

      • smeeps@lemmy.mtate.me.uk
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        2 months ago

        What a bizarre comment. Of course I need traffic data in a navigation app. Why would I want to sit in an hour queue on a closed motorway due to an incident when I could be using the alternative route that’s still moving?

    • ian@feddit.uk
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      2 months ago

      For using osm as a map, it’s great and very detailed. For cycling navigation it’s ideal. And beats Google maps that fails to find a route without a data connection. Like when roaming. And in many poorer countries, where humanitarian agencies desperately need maps, Google doesn’t bother to map any details, because there is no money in it for them. Fail again.

      And, as with railways, companies love to build new, as you get a monopoly. But maintenance? No financial benefit to doing that.

  • eodur@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    If you appreciate OpenStreetMaps then check out StreetComplete. Its “like” Pokemon Go but for improving maps.

    • JasonDJ@lemmy.zip
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      2 months ago

      I’d never been a fan of apple maps, just because it lags behind real world too much.

      I’ve missed a lot of turns because they seem way further on the screen. Especially when using CarPlay.

  • bokherif@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Here’s the thing. I hate Google’s privacy nightmare. There is no alternative to the Google Maps.

  • fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com
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    2 months ago

    OsmAnd has the full app on F-Droid.

    Locus Map is not FOSS, and OsmAnd works great for hiking, biking, etc, soooo…

  • fury@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I’m looking for one that works well on Android Automotive. So far I couldn’t get OsmAnd to show the Android Auto UI on the full OS, or integrate with the home page (split screen music / maps), and none of the others I tried in F-droid worked at all. I need something because I’m tired of using my phone, and I don’t have Google services on my tablet (flashed with a custom build of Lineage / Android Automotive OS).

    It would be nice to have an open source version of the big screen systems they’re putting in the newest cars…

    • bss03@infosec.pub
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      2 months ago

      I, too, want something to replace Google Maps inside Android Auto, which is the main place I use it. I like live re-routes around traffic.

      Did you try Organic Maps?

      • progandy@feddit.org
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        2 months ago

        I know of no open source app with live traffic routing. I think Magic Earth should be a closed source option to t least minimize google tracking.

  • Dr. Moose@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I’ve been very satisfied by OSM map apps (mostly use Organic Maps) but my main issue is the lack of places and that’s why I use Google Maps mostly.

    Edit: actually found https://mapcomplete.org/ which aims to kinda do that? Still exploring but seems really cool so far.

    • TonyOstrich@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      What is really frustrating to me is that my county actually has almost all of the data (including outlines and address numbers) publicly available and downloadable. There is a Wikipage on Open Street Maps written in 2020 talking about how that data has been downloaded and prepped and that it will be imported in 2021, but it never was. The wiki page was last updated 3 years ago.

      I’m technologically competent enough to add things individually on OSM or StreetComplete, but that import is way above my technical understanding. I would love to donate or maybe even pay someone to finish what was apparently started, but I don’t even know who to contact about it.

    • Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      2 months ago

      StreetComplete is another good app for adding details to the map, and it lets you select the type of things you want to add 👍