After the news that Google maps will rename the gulf of Mexico to the gulf of America I finally decided to change maps app(not confirmed).
What recommendations do you have? What to look out for?
If you are trying to minimize google maps use Organic Maps is the way to go imo. Fast loading, simple slick interface with minimal fuss. It’s a beautiful thing!
OSMand is not nearly as slick and polished and is kind of clunky by comparison. That is because it isn’t trying to be like Google maps at all. It runs fine straight from the app store but the real beauty of it is the tinkering it allows. You can make multiple map presets fine tuned the way you like it. It’s the midpoint between Organic Maps and ATAK
I tried to like Magic Earth, but I haven’t gotten used to it yet.
Organic Maps is great. Although addresses can sometimes be a bit iffy to search for, unless you type them exactly as they are written. Probably also depends on where in the world you are searching.
Magic Earth. Organic Maps as a backup. I’ve found that Magic Earth is the happy middle ground of map apps.
Closed source client, but uses OSM for its map data. European company, so better on the data front.
I tried using Organic Maps as my main navigation app, but there were slightly too many times where it couldn’t find the address, or the navigation got stuck, etc.
My IT job requires me to get to places quickly if they need on-site support. I have to be able to depend on my map app to get me there reliably. Magic Earth does that, Organic Maps is very good, and I keep it around to use in case I have issues with Magic Earth, but at least in my region of the country, it just isn’t quite up to snuff.
You can use GMAPS VW, an app that uses the Google Maps web version. It cannot provide navigation, but it allows you to find any address just like on Google Maps, while maintaining your privacy.
Then, you click on “Share”, copy the link, and paste it into another app called GeoShare. This app converts a Google Maps link into GPS coordinates.
Finally, you copy and paste the GPS coordinates into Organic Maps, which will locate the place for you.
All of these apps are open source.
Organic Maps with Sherpa-Onnx text to speech directions. It sounds just as realistic as Google maps
OSM (no “app”, just Web) at https://www.openstreetmap.org/
CityMapper
Osmand
Open street map with organic map
- For directions, I use OrganicMaps.
- For location bookmarks/pins, I’m currently building an app, so I use that.
- For checking business information, sometimes i’ll still use google maps
Organic maps takes next to forever to plan a route for me, if it manages at all
I used 1.5 year ago organic maps on Samsung galaxy S5, what do you mean? It’s usable even on ancient devices, and is definitely the best FOSS maps out there
Huh really? I haven’t had that issue. But we might be totally different use-cases; If I’m routing, I’m usually in major cities mapping a route via public transit. I quite like OrganicMaps for this, because it’s still quite stable in underground subways when internet is sus.
edit: To be clear, I haven’t noticed issues when I map for driving either, but I’m admittedly not driving a crazy amount.
Organic maps doesn’t appear to know public transport exists where I live. We have been trying out different apps for bicycle trips
Hmmm I’m not as familiar with how routing works with OSM, but I wonder if those transits routes show up in other OSM apps, or if Organic Maps is flitering/sorting that in a way where it isn’t used? Like is the data missing, or is the app doing something poorly?
Organic Maps. It is quite fast and I really like its UI.
For my ebike I use OSMAnd with Brouter
Besides organic, I use watch duty (fire tracking), MyRadar (weather) and waze (driving)
Waze is owned by Google…
OsmAnd~ is really good and feature rich but a bit complex. I use it because it has very good navigation with the public transport where I live. I tryed Magic Earth, it’s simpler but at some point it stopped suggesting me navigation with the public transport here. And if you don’t need public transport suggestions try Organic Maps, it’s very simple. On Linux- Marbel by KDE or Gnome Maps. If I need to check something on the map I just use OpenStreetMap in a browser.
Google maps
Organic street maps just don’t have good enough public transit integration where I live
Organic Maps. Living in a somewhat walkable area, it gives me good walking directions. I might be a bit out of touch though since I just commit routes to memory if I’m driving.
For the occasional satellite map, Google Maps unfortunately. If anyone knows of a privacy-respecting map with satellite views, I’d be interested.
I use OSMAnd. it just works so that’s fine for me
