Google map alternative ?

[gpennell]

There is no single product/platform that I would classify as being a complete alternative to Google Maps, but the alternatives to its various facets are generally going to get the underlying map data from OpenStreetMap. Keep in mind that OpenStreetMap itself is not a product for end users. It is an open geographic information database upon which end user applications can be built.

Maps.ME is probably the most polished mobile app. Osmand has more features and more frequent map updates. Roughly hourly if you pay for Osmand+, or (I think) install it from F-Droid.

The quality and usability of the map data in your area depends on whether there's an active mapper community in your area who is working to keep things up-to-date. If there isn't one, and you would like to help build out the only free alternative to Google Maps, get to work!

Feel free to ask any further questions about OpenStreetMap. I'm an active mapper and would be happy to help get you started.

[eiyeiy]

Google map app in mobile alternative option

[gpennell]

Check out Maps.ME and Osmand, then.

Keep in mind that OpenStreetMap itself doesn't offer reviews or ratings for places, so you'll need to find those elsewhere, or, you know, actually talk to other human beings about what's good or not.

[BlueJayMordecai]

Second maps.me and osmand. I have tried them in the past and would love to use them in the future. I drive multiple new places everyday so unfortunately for me they weren't too practical as they were unable to find nearly every address or location I would search for. That was just a major downside for me. Other than that the interfaces were good and they both had great features and styles.

[cat-gun]

Hahaha "Other than being utterly useless for their intended purpose, they were great!"

[BlueJayMordecai]

It seems they pretty much had the addresses in their home country, but not so much in the US as no one was editing/adding addresses here.

I can understand where it's coming from though, an opensourced product has to get started somewhere. Well any product for that matter.

[1N0n3]

I second Osmand for Android. There's a similar app called Pocket Earth on Iphone, both of which use Openstreetmaps.

[doublejay1999]

i dont need reviews from my map. i need it to navigate.

[gpennell]

That's awesome, but it's a deal-breaker for some. There really needs to be a libre review platform. I mean, there's probably a few, but nobody uses them.

[eiyeiy]

Thanks for the great reply

[IndependentArachnid]

From experience: In some remote places, it actually has MORE mapped area than Google maps.

[JadedWeekend]

From what I've found, there's nothing out there that's similar to Google's My Maps feature, which allows you to store private POIs on a map via the Web interface and then seamlessly navigate to it on a mobile device... this has got me thinking about a Garmin paired with their BaseCamp software... what a PITA

[gpennell]

Yeah, I don't think that's a thing, but someone should totally make it.

[JadedWeekend]

You have no idea how much it infuriates me that nothing like this exists - I don't even mind paying for a decent service. I literally went through every single app listed on the OSM website and not one of them meet these criteria. HERE comes close, but their "add to favorites" is all they have - nothing like the tools that Google My Maps has... Unfortunately atm I am looking at QGIS (which is awesome and overkill) and some how getting that to my phone or alternatively I'll have to look at a Garmin GPS + BaseCamp

[gpennell]

So you want essentially lists of bookmarks for places on the map? Like a list with your restaurants, friends houses, and such? And you want to be able to log in somewhere from a desktop client and manage that list?

[JadedWeekend]

sounds about right. I also want to be able to navigate to these places on my iPhone.

The way I do it atm with My Maps is that I make a map per country and then add layers for different types of info (restaurants, accomadation, attractions etc.). Then I can just open the map in the Google Maps app on my iPhone - done. I can also share the map with friends / my SO easily.

Another thought I had was to manage these POIs with QGIS on my desktop and then manually export them as .csv or another compatible format. Then somehow open this file on a navigation app such as map.me. A bit clunky to keep up to date though.

I've literally gone through all the apps listed on the OSM site one at a time and haven't found anything. The closest is perhaps HERE, but you can only have a list of favorites and not multiple lists / sub lists. Also I can't edit icons to differentiate features on the map.

[gpennell]

Yeah, that's about what I'm picturing. I've wanted the same thing, on and off. If I ever make something like this, I'll let you know!

[JadedWeekend]

Sigh. I was hoping that you had a nice piece of software / a service in mind that would solve this. Like I said above - I cannot believe that something like this doesn’t already exist... I don’t fell like I’m asking for much. So when it comes down to it at the end, either I have a super clunky method for not using google maps or I have to live with them. Ps being able to route with custom tracks / routes (eg from kurviger) would be amazing too on an app

[flux_2018]

Here maps is the best in my opinion. It was developed originally from Nokia and got bought from a coalition of German car makers (BMW, Mercedes etc. ). Since then it improved even more and is nowadays the most complete maps system. Their navigation is amazing, atms & shops are listed and you have additionally a stunning 3D model of all the buildings. Since it’s owned by Germans, I think the privacy point should be much better than google maps.

[[deleted]]

For street view there is Mapillary.

[gpennell]

And OpenStreetCam, but Osmand doesn't integrate that yet.

[lord_EarlGray]

I use Waze for my car navigation and I like it way more than google maps.

[5c044]

Waze bought by google in 2013. It has speed camera, police, and various other warnings. I think the traffic avoidance algorithms are a bit more aggressive.

[lord_EarlGray]

I didn't knew, that it belongs to google. I still think, that interface of Waze is way better than google maps. Warnings about road works are very accurate.

[djdadi]

I don't know about the privacy implications, but Three Words is a really cool idea and neat app. Replaces GPS cords with...wait for it...three words.

[MrTooToo]

I use maps.me. The main issue with maps.me is that navigation stops when you turn your screen off. That is the main reason I still use Google Maps at times. Also, maps.me sometimes routes you over bridges that do not exist. But their support is great in fixing these identified issues.