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This time we will look for valid ones alternatives to Google Maps. What is meant by alternatives to Google Maps? Google Maps it's a gigantic service, truly enormous. Let's start by saying that we will never find a real total alternative to Google Maps. Many services are offered, shop opening hours, crowding, street view and so on. However, all this has a cost, even if it seems free to us, it's all about to the detriment of our privacy.
The metadata
Google thanks to Google Maps he can know exactly what we did, where we went, how long we were there. Think about how little is enough for analyze your movements and say almost everything about you. Know where do you live, where do you work, where your or your lover lives. If you have visited one beauty clinic or if you have visited a cancer institute. Even without tell him Nothing, Google has already understood everything about you. Then think about that can triangulate all this information with the your calls, i your messages, the your photos hey your appointments.
Today we will therefore go in search of alternatives to Google Maps always taking into account that they won't be complete alternatives to the 100% but valid compromises for what we generally need i.e go from point A to point B.
Recently Google made available the incognito mode for your app Google Maps. Is it a good thing? Is it bad? We don't know exactly yet what do you mean Google for "incognito" unfortunately, you will discover as usual that in reality by incognito they mean that the history will not be saved but Google he will continue to know everything we do? Maybe we'll never know, so it's good to go looking for one alternative to Google Maps!
If all these alternatives do not satisfy you, remember the method that we always recommend. If for some time you have to necessarily use Google Maps from the web use Firefox putting Google Maps in a container tab. This way you can search for what you want without being tracked. If you are on a mobile phone, go to the bottom of the article, there is the section "IDEA!” that is right for you or use the application GMaps VW.
In this case, unlike for example the article on alternatives to Google Chrome, we will propose them first alternatives to Google Maps and only when the desktop version is available we will say it. This is because we almost always need navigators while we are out and a little less when we are in front of a PC.
Our alternatives to Google Maps
OsmAnd
Open source
also available for iOS
The first alternative to Google Maps for Android that we would like to recommend to you is without a shadow of a doubt OsmAnd. It is used to navigate and view maps even offline free And free. The entire app uses as default source OpenStreetMaps (hence, in fact, its name). For those who don't know her OpenStreetMaps it's the biggest open-source community of maps, on this app you can therefore really find all the roads you need and the navigation works well!
The real alternative to Google Maps
The app is free but some extensions are purchasable separately. However, our advice if you use it is to do theannual subscription/donation which includes all extensions. OsmAnd it's an app Open source downloadable from Play Store, you can also find a version on F-Droid but Attention Why Not is part of the official versions, although being on F-Droid it is generally safe. There is also his version onApple App Store.
On Mastodon they suggest to us the use of Openrouteservice in case you have problems with slowness in calculating routes for long journeys. With Openrouteservice in fact you can calculate the route in advance and export it in .gpx format which is fully compatible with OsmAnd.
You reported us 1 which also exists as a plugin OpenPlaceReviews to review restaurants and shops.
Update 12/12/2022: if you download the application from F-Droid you will notice some anti-characteristics as This app monitors and reports on your activities. From what we could understand it should be related to a unique code that is generated by default when installing the application and which is used to monitor application problems 2.
AGAINST
Unfortunately, as we have already told you, obviously none exists Street View (although sort of open Street View exists but is not connected to them and therefore absent in the app). Also THEN (points of interest) are many, but not all. However, you can remedy this yourself contributing for your area and thus helping the community to grow!
Searching can be complex but you can take advantage of applications like Acastus-Photon which allow you to search for the address you need and share it with your favorite application. A great gimmick and thank you for your suggestion.
Magic Earth
also available for iOS
Magic Earth it is most likely the improve navigation app alternative to Google Maps. It is not first on the list because, despite using the free and open maps of OpenStreetMaps it is a proprietary app. It is owned by General Magic about which not much is known except that it is a company based in Swiss, Romania And Holland. In short, if it is not in first position it is only due to mere scruple (the app is entirely free with no paid versions, how they earn?) because whenever possible we always try to give greater importance to projects entirely open-source.
Magic Earth is the best compromise
However, if this doesn't bother you, use it as a browser alternative to Google Maps because it's definitely there best alternative that you can find. You can download it on Play Store or if you have Apple on the App Store.
AGAINST
As we have already said the application unfortunately Not it is open-source so it is not known what it contains, for some it may be a minor flaw, for others it may be a minor flaw indispensable condition!
Organic Maps
Open source
also available for iOS
Instead of using Maps.me as we had previously suggested we highly recommend you try it Organic Maps. It is available for all platforms: iOS And Android. For Android you can download it either on Google Play what up F-Droid. It is also available for devices Huawei.
It is curated and created by the founders of Maps.me and it works really well. AND Open source 3 and very interesting to use.
AGAINST
The settings and configurations available are still a little sparse but it hasn't been out for long.
QWant Maps
server in France
no smartphone application
From some month The Search engine French QWant has launched, in Beta version, its Maps idea. It is a really interesting and functional service. Graphically it is captivating and the data is taken from the always excellent OpenStreetMaps. Unfortunately there is not yet a mobile app for either Android or iOS. But it's really cute and promising. The graphics are designed to also find shops, supermarkets and clubs well. In our opinion it is the best alternative to Google Maps via the web. We are waiting for their app!
Ben Maps
Open source
no smartphone application
Ben Maps is a project Open source French. Despite there are no apps on mobile phones it is an interesting map as it uses data from OpenStreetMaps and of Mapbox. It's nice graphically, it allows you to have directions both by car and on foot or by bicycle. Furthermore, what we particularly appreciate, it does not contain any kind of Trackers. Project to follow in the hope it will not be abandoned.
BRouter
Open source
A route generator, very convenient and practical. Use maps from OpenStreetMap and will allow you to generate the route for any type of means of transport (bicycles of any type, car, train, etc. Once the route has been created you can export it in four formats (GPX, KML, GeoJSON and CSV) and import it onto your smartphone favorite application.
• •GMaps VW
Open source
Google maps without being tracked
If you need to use Google maps, to search for places present only on those or if you need to see via StreetView then GMaps VW It's definitely right for you. It is a container to see Google Maps and nothing else, you will access the web version of Google Maps without using yours Browsers thus isolating navigation.
Not just alternatives to Google Maps, here are some alternatives for Google Transit. The Google Maps service for public transport
Öffi
Open source
It is not strictly an alternative to Google Maps but it is an alternative for those who use Google Maps for transport. To be used together with Transportr to have a complete vision. Graphically it's a bit strange, certainly different from all the apps. But you can like it and it is completely Open source.
AGAINST
We encountered some network problems every now and then and graphically the app is different from the others, you have to pay attention!
Transportr
Open source
Another alternative to Google Transit For move around the city by public transport. This is an app completely Open source that respects privacy. It works well in Europe and also in other parts of the world. Easy to use and simple to use.
AGAINST
The information on public transport seems correct, the directions to reach a place on foot a little less so. Also every now and then there are some network errors.
Moovit
It is the service for excellence as far as traveling with i public transport! They are present in many cities Italy and throughout the rest of the world. It is perfect and always up to date, works well and is fast. How maps uses OpenStreetMaps. It is thealternative to Google Maps perfect for public transport! It exists both on Play Store that on theApple App Store. One of the reasons why we prefer it over other applications is the possibility of being used away web on desktop. So if you don't want to install their app full of tracers 4 just use it Hermit or WebApps or simply open it via Browsers. The web apps are our absolute favorite choice as they work independently of the operating system: all you need is a Browsers!
AGAINST
The app is free but unfortunately it is not open source and their privacy policy It's not entirely perfect. It also contains an exaggerated amount of tracers. It is therefore a good alternative because it works well but take these into account major defects preferring the use of Offi and of Transportr.
CityMapper
It looks a lot like Moovit, and CityMapper can also be used via the web. This option is very convenient as it makes it compatible with any cell phone and computer. Its Android application contains less tracers of those of Moovit.
AGAINST
Unlike Moovit Google maps are used, unfortunately without the possibility of choice.
If you are looking for one alternative to Google Maps regarding the routes in bicycle this is definitely the app for you. The map used is that of OpenMapTiles which it in turn uses OpenStreetMaps so on this level it is perfect. The version exists Android on Play Store and also for theApple App Store. The convenient thing is that there is also a version that can be consulted via web on desktop, so you can plan your trip comfortably from home or from the office! So if you need it plan a cycling route, whatever daily, in mountain biking or with one electric bicycle, Naviki it's definitely the app for you. In this case it's not just one alternative to Google Maps but it is even Better of Google Maps as, in Italy, bicycle routes are not displayed on Google Maps!
AGAINST
Unfortunately the app Not And open source and some of its functions are a payment. However, it remains as perfect as it is bicycle navigator.
HERE WeGo
Ok if you've made it this far you probably really are desperate and looking for one alternative to Google Maps. If all of the above for one reason or another they did not satisfy you it's time to move on to dark side of privacy. HERE WeGo is a company co-owned by Audi, BMW And Daimler. It has some maps really excellent and how navigator It is probably the best ever. If you think you recognize it, know that in 2008 it was purchased by Nokia and once upon a time it was called precisely Nokia Maps, then in 2015 Nokia he sold everything to three automotive companies. It is available on both Play Store of Android and for Apple on theApp Store. Online consultation is also available web on your desktop!
AGAINST
The app is not only not open source but it's also really bad when it comes to privacy and its advertising providers. Use it only if you really are at the last resort! All the others alternatives to Google Maps there are definitely more free And safe!
Mapillary
Open source
Alternatives to Google Street View are difficult to find, but the project Mapillary It's very close. It was born in 2013 in Sweden and is a project Open source for the sharing geolocalized photos from all over the world. You will be pleasantly surprised by the quantity of photos present! There is also a version for Android and one for iOS. Thanks to apps you can actively collaborate on the project.
UPDATE JUNE 19: Mapillary was recently purchased by Facebook. We will soon decide whether or not to remove it from the list.
ArcGIS
A collection of maps by many organizations (including also NASA And Garmin for example) with satellite maps. An excellent one alternative so to Google Earth, it is possible to see our Earth from above without being tracked by Google!
KartaView
Open source
also available for iOS
Another project Open source to map, via geolocalized photos, the streets of our planet. Also in this case thanks to the applications on Android and iOS you can easily help the project. A precision: every now and then it seems that the project is abandoned, he is actually alive and well.
• •💡 IDEA! 💡
You don't like these alternatives and you can't help it to use a Google service (or similar)? Then maybe you can think about installing applications inside Shelter, an app that isolates any other application by creating a work profile on your Android. Alternatively you can think of do not use the apps but to log in via the Browsers when it is possible. If you really want greater security you can dedicate a Browsers dedicated this way you will give them fewer permissions than installing the app.
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2 comments
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What do you think of ViaMichelin? It seems relatively popular on iOS (it's currently 13th on the App Store), although less so on Google Play.
It's interesting that it can be done opt-out of many things in terms of privacy through their app (which we recommend doing). Despite this, however, they collect and share a lot of data according to their own policy. For example, this part is not optional but mandatory:
“In addition, we work closely with third parties (including, for example, business partners, subcontractors of technical services, payment and analytics providers, information search, credit reference agencies) and may receive information about you from them .”.
The good thing is that they don't use Google Maps for maps. Seeing how they say they use and share the data collected, however, they advise against creating an account for example.
Thanks for suggesting it anyway, we will test it and evaluate it better in the next few days and we may also decide to add it as a possible alternative if all the others are not to our liking 🙂