2y ago

What's your Google Maps open-source replacement?

I imagine certain features like Google Maps' different busyness indicators might be missing because otherwise that would require telemetry?

111 comments

Try OrganicMaps (https://organicmaps.app) on Android. It's awesome!
- it's nice, but its navigation/route finding can be pretty atrocious
- This is my favorite front end for openstreetmaps. The only problem is I live in NJ and most addresses are missing. I usually just get coordinates from Google maps and add them manually.
- 2nded! I really like it as a google alternative for maps and nav.
- Oh wow, this is great! Thanks.
- Only thing I consistently don't see well done are parks and other green spaces, where the boundaries are ill defined or missing. Other than that, also my mainstay
  
  Try adjusting them on openstreetmap.org/edit, takes a few minutes at most
- @pluja
  @AlmightySnoo
  It’s also available as testnet on ios. Got from App Store on iPhone.
- Can you use this with Android Auto?

https://www.openstreetmap.org/
It's the only one I know, I've also done mapping for them and updating several places around my home town.
- I like Organic Maps. It uses the openstreetmap data.
  
  Never heard of it but a great tip! Looks very nice, thank you.
- Open Street Map is legitimate. In bicycling communities, Strava is the gold standard app for tracking rides, and it uses Open Street Maps on the backend. It's always super accurate for me, even for fairly obscure bike trails off the beaten path.
  
  I noticed allot of the trails in my area are mapped better than on Google.
  
  Wow, that's so cool. 👍
- My house doesn't even exist on OpenStreetMap, so I don't have much faith in it
  
  Then you can map it and add it to the map with a free account and some "proof", unlike Google Maps where the main road to my colleague and his four neighbours houses still isn't on Google Maps after almost a year of reporting. The road is almost a year old but my colleague still can't get deliveries to his house.
  Try it out! The mapping community on OpenStreetMap is often very helpful and open to new people.
  
  Fix it or STFU

Almost all alternatives use OpenStreetMaps. I prefer Magic Earth but all of them are similar enough
The main issue is OSM. They lack many addresses (varies A LOT among different countries, some are fine) and POIs. Please consider contributing yourself, because it depends only on volunteers!
It is SUPER easy. Just download StreetComplete on Android to add multiple different info in a very easy way (or just house numbers which are the most important info) and EveryDoor for POI editing/deletion/addition in just a few clicks. And don't worry if you don't input something because you aren't sure as long as what you enter is correct
- interestingly in my region in germany osm is more reliable in regards of house numbers then google is
  
  in some areas osm is insanely detailed, with trash cans, flower pots, and all kind of stuff. Nerds fucking rock.
- Some basic information, including building numbers, can also be edited from within Organic Maps.

OrganicMaps, love it
- Currently on vacation and switched to organic maps for the trip. Some stuff is awesome and some is kinda counter intuitive. Try to stick with it for now and see if I get used to it.

Osmand with some of these custom maps that add address data to the normal maps. It works amazingly and is also entirely offline.
- I've been using Osmand for years, it works fine here in Denmark. I just use the standard maps.
  Offline functionality used to be very important to me, but not so much anymore. Still I'd hate my map to stop working, just because I don't have good enough signal.
  
  I find offline still very important. Great for travelling, mobile data, and reliability
  But I also have a SD card full of music on my phone. And no cloud storage
- Oh my thank you so much, this and no trafic data are my main 2 pain points with this app, now it's one less!
- Also on F-Droid!
- Why isn't that address data included in OpenStreetMaps and/or OSMAnd by default?
  
  good question :( why not upstream the data?

For walking nothing beats OpenStreetMap. Absolutely destroys Google maps as it knows all the footpaths and what is and isn't walkable.
For driving I'm stuck with Google due to Android Auto.
For finding businesses etc Here is the best alternative but frankly Google is in a different league in this regard, nothing beats it.
- If you want a good alternative for driving try out Magic Earth! Also uses openstreetmaps and has some Waze like features to report stuff
  
  I am waiting for an android auto update where it has a mute button for navigation, if it had that I could live with all the inconveniences.

I use OsmAnd~ it's very nice ,and open source . Oh and if you use the F-droid version you got the pro feature .
- OsmAnd is awesome, I use it especially for cycling. It has an awesome cycling/hiking route planner, and even the smallest forest paths are on the map!
  
  Oh yes for bike it's amazing . I even find 1 accesses to a highway store wich normaly are not alowed .

openstreetmaps.org ecosystem
for navigation I use Organic Maps: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/app.organicmaps/
I like OsmAnd too, but it's too much for most of my use cases. I still use it for recording trips.

I use Open Street Maps. There are multiple clients available, but the one I use is called OSMAnd+. It pretty much works just as well as Google Maps in my experience.

The FOSS ones suck in comparison honestly. There's really just osmAnd that has a really ancient UI. As for other OSM(OpenStreetMaps), I find MAPS.ME to be the best, but it's closed source with some crypto scam crap built in that you can't disable.
I don't really like OSM based maps because they miss tons of places where I'm at, when I specifically need building numbers and locations. Also the search on both apps is god awful and straight broken.
Google Maps is definitely miles ahead of the competition here. The other features like seeing how busy businesses are, reviews/images, menu and phone number/website. These are also icing on top of the cake that make it essential to have which none of the competition have, let alone any FOSS ones.
- It really depends on where in the world. I'm in the Caribbean and Google maps is terrible here.
  Even on the main road network there is places where a bridge is seen as an intersection on Google maps.
  Open street maps is much better here.
  The app I'm using for open street map is called Organic Maps.
  
  Yeah when traveling I'm always supplementing my Google maps with OsmAnd just because gmaps is missing so much data.
- Honestly, OsmAnd doesn't have that bad of an ui these days. I'm perfectly happy with it, most of the time. Definitely prefer it to Google Maps while cycling.
- Organic Maps is a great open source replacement for MAPS.ME and osmAND, but also with the same disadvantage of not having good public transport options and needing to download offline maps beforehand. Magic Earth, while not FOSS, at least does show public transport times (in my country at least).
- Address based search works, but the data is largely lacking.
  You can help by adding building numbers from within Organ Maps (tap a building and, then "edit place").
  The underlying OSM dataset supports building number interpolation, so even a few accurate entries could be very helpful.

I like OsmAnd as a client for using open street maps. I hadn't heard of organic maps though which someone else mentioned- I'll have to give it a try!

Open Street Maps. It has some gaps or missed addresses/neighborhoods/roads because it is built on contributions of volunteers.

Organic Maps. It uses OpenStreetMap as a backend, plus it has hiking trails as well.

OpenStreetMap. Google Maps is probably the best product in the field tho, even among paid solutions.
- I have tried other open source apps but always end up back on google maps because I live in a city and need detailed directions all the time....
  
  That's the best part about OSM, if it's lacking in your area, it's super easy to fix yourself! iD, the editor built into openstreetmap.org, is super easy to use, or an app I started using a lot more recently is StreetComplete, which lets you answer simple questions as you walk around

I use Organic Maps on my degoogled pixel. Does not have quite as much data as google maps, but works really well for navigation and uses openstreetmaps' data.
- I'm curious, what are some steps I can take to degoogle my phone? Obviously using non Google apps when possible (browser, email client, etc...)
  What worked for you?
  
  You will basically need to start fresh with a custom rom as google services are deeply ingrained into the standard operating system. Its almost impossible/not worth it even to to to get rid of those once they are installed. You could check first, which custom roms are available for your phone. Graphene, divestos and calyxos are probably the most private roms, but only available on a few models. Lineageos is widely available but will need extra steps to degoogle.
  If a custom rom seems like too much hasle your can improve your privacy most easily by choosing a tracker and dns blocking doh/dns sever on android. It only takes minutes.
  Android settings -> search for private dns -> chose private dns provider hostname -> doh.mullvad.net
  More examples for providers here: https://www.kuketz-blog.de/empfehlungsecke/#dns
  
  I use GrapheneOS without Google play services. All apps I use are either from fdroid or the aurora store. You could also install lineageOS or eOS, Graphene only runs on Pixels.
  
  You will basically need to start fresh with a custom rom as google services are deeply ingrained into the standard operating system. Its almost impossible/not worth it even to to to get rid of those once they are installed. You could check first, which custom roms are available for your phone. Graphene, divestos and calyxos are probably the most private roms, but only available on a few models. Lineageos is widely available but will need extra steps to degoogle.
  If a custom rom seems like too much hasle your can improve your privacy most easily by choosing a tracker and dns blocking doh/dns sever on android. It only takes minutes.
  Android settings -> search for private dns -> chose private dns provider hostname -> doh.mullvad.net
  More examples for providers here: https://www.kuketz-blog.de/empfehlungsecke/#dns
  
  You will basically need to start fresh with a custom rom as google services are deeply ingrained into the standard operating system. Its almost impossible/not worth it even to to to get rid of those once they are installed. You could check first, which custom roms are available for your phone. Graphene, divestos and calyxos are probably the most private roms, but only available on a few models. Lineageos is widely available but will need extra steps to degoogle.
  If a custom rom seems like too much hasle your can improve your privacy most easily by choosing a tracker and dns blocking doh/dns sever on android. It only takes minutes.
  Android settings -> search for private dns -> chose private dns provider hostname -> doh.mullvad.net
  More examples for providers here: https://www.kuketz-blog.de/empfehlungsecke/#dns
  
  You will basically need to start fresh with a custom rom as google services are deeply ingrained into the standard operating system. Its almost impossible/not worth it even to to to get rid of those once they are installed. You could check first, which custom roms are available for your phone. Graphene, divestos and calyxos are probably the most private roms, but only available on a few models. Lineageos is widely available but will need extra steps to degoogle.
  If a custom rom seems like too much hasle your can improve your privacy most easily by choosing a tracker and dns blocking doh/dns sever on android. It only takes minutes.
  Android settings -> search for private dns -> chose private dns provider hostname -> doh.mullvad.net
  More examples for providers here: https://www.kuketz-blog.de/empfehlungsecke/#dns
  
  there is grapheneos for pixel and some other devices
  
  You will basically need to start fresh with a custom rom as google services are deeply ingrained into the standard operating system. Its almost impossible/not worth it even to to to get rid of those once they are installed. You could check first, which custom roms are available for your phone. Graphene, divestos and calyxos are probably the most private roms, but only available on a few models. Lineageos is widely available but will need extra steps to degoogle.
  If a custom rom seems like too much hasle your can improve your privacy most easily by choosing a tracker and dns blocking doh/dns sever on android. It only takes minutes.
  Android settings -> search for private dns -> chose private dns provider hostname -> doh.mullvad.net
  More examples for providers here: https://www.kuketz-blog.de/empfehlungsecke/#dns

@AlmightySnoo with Traffic Data you can use #MagicEarth. It use #OpenStreetMap Data.

FOSS turn-by-turn is unfortunately not great. I like the proprietary app HERE, because it works well for turn-by-turn, is based in Europe and has a privacy policy that fits on one page
- Which is the old and excellent nokia maps built in navteq GPS tech they bought like 15 years ago. I used it on and off for a while but started using openstreetmap based services eventually.

Magic Earth (not FOSS), such an underrated app

maps.me has been pretty good - they occasionally try various ways of monetizing it (the most recent one seems to be some kind of limit on map downloads) but it was a pretty straightforward OSM viewer with basic routing and searching.
- Give Organic Maps a try; it's from some of the original creators of MapsWithMe/Maps.me: https://organicmaps.app/
  
  +1 for organic maps. Been using that for the past year and it's awesome!
  
  Thanks - just replaced maps.me (no, Lemmy, that's not a URL!) with organic maps.
  It sounds like maps.me might have gone through a few changes of ownership? The latest "update" comes a lot closer to breaking its core functionality than previous attempts.

magic earth for regular use and herewego if openstreetmap doesn't have data and I'm in a hurry
both are proprietary but way better than google
I also input data in openstreetmap if it doesn't have it from gmaps webview(by divestos) so I can use it in future without relying on proprietary services

None. Tried a few, none of them come close to what Google Maps offer.
- Open maps will improve greatly in the near future. The Overture Maps Foundation is working on an open mapping dataset to rival Google.
- Unfortunately, that's the only truth. Especially if you live outside the US.
  
  Huh? OpenStreetMap is pretty bad in the US compared to Europe, where it's far more detailed than Google Maps will ever be

Similar question, but what's the best app for following a gpx track? Like just plot it on a map with my current location centered
- I use OSMAnd+ for this. I can plot out a route to take on the motorcycle using Basecamp and then send the .gpx to my phone and OSMAnd will load it up and let you follow it.

I live in south korea, and unfortunately, openstreetmap isn't enough for daily usage on here. So I am using both. Google Maps(using GMaps WV) and organic maps

All the alternatives have poor search functions e.g. fuzzy search. After trying them all I use magic earth but will often find I have to get addresses out of google maps then put them into ME
- My job requires a lot of pulling up maps. I'm sad to say I haven't found a good Google replacement. Do I like all the ones listed? Yes. Can they get the job done the way I need it? No.

For hiking and walking around the city open street map is great. I personally use mapy.cz - they work great and at least in central Europe - more accurate than google.

Magic Earth. I've tried every other major OSM google maps alternative and none have been as good as Magic Earth.
Osmand, Maps.me, Organic maps, and one other I can't remember now, used them all. I still use Osmand because I'm trying to support the project, but Magic Earth by far has the best address searching, best UI, best directions, and limited but existing live traffic data to help you avoid really bad backups.
Now I'm in the USA, and some folks say some of these apps work better in Europe, that's fair, but that's still my point, Magic Earth. Not FOSS, but privacy respecting and uses OSM data. If you wanna break away from Google but aren't willing to deal with a bunch of jank, Magic Earth is your friend.
- https://opensupermaps.com/
  They have maps with USA style addresses, updated monthly. They cover pretty much everything. So that would solve your address search Problem in OsmAnd.
  There is also a google traffic overlay.
  
  Oh dang, do you just download and import into OSMand?

For traveling I often use Here We Go maps, because have more information than Magic Earth (buses, trains, more info about restaurant / eating / sleeping accomodations - links, prices etc). In my country I use just Magic Earth.

Not FOSS but MagicEarth works pretty well and they are privacy friendly.

For hiking and walking around the city open street map is great. I personally use mapy.cz - they work great and at least in central Europe - more accurate than google.

If you need Google Maps from time to time use [GMaps WV(https://f-droid.org/en/packages/us.spotco.maps/) it is a a webview shell for google maps.

My go to is mapy.cz You can download regional maps for offline use, it is intuitive to use, good for seeking out cycling routes and builds on openstreetmap data.

Not FOSS but MagicEarth works pretty well and they are privacy friendly.

111 comments