This is a text automatically translated from Italian. If you appreciate our work and if you like reading it in your language, consider a donation to allow us to continue doing it and improving it.
Content index
Today let's discover one of the best alternatives to Google Maps! In fact, we are talking about the legendary project OpenStreetMap and its version for smartphones which is precisely called OsmAnd! OsmAnd it is in fact our first choice when we talk about alternatives to Google Maps who respect privacy!
OsmAnd is an acronym for ORpenStreetMap TOutomated Nonavigation Directions and is an application Open source 1 For Android and for iOS which uses maps from OpenStreetMap as the default source. As an alternative to this, by going into the settings, you can change the source of your maps. In fact, you can also install maps such as Microsoft Maps, Microsoft Earth and really many others.
OsmAnd also works offline!
One of its advantages is the possibility of also using the offline maps. In fact, you can download all the maps you want onto your mobile phone and navigation will work even if you cannot use the internet connection.
Another of its strong points, our favorite, is obviously the use of OpenStreetMap maps. These maps are really very complete and are incredibly precise especially when it comes to navigation on foot and/or trekking. Unlike Google maps, for example, it is possible to also mark the individual trees, the individual benches and the fountains! But you will also find paths, tram routes and cycle paths! On OsmAnd in fact you find much more than what you are used to seeing on Google Maps.
All information that, at least until today, a Google Maps are not of much interest as it seems to be mainly focused on commercial use.
This video is served thanks to the decentralized platform and Open source PeerTube, through one of the Italian instances: PeerTube.uno. PeerTube does not collect data of any kind and does not use it Cookies.
Everyone can improve OpenStreetMap
On OpenStreetMap, and consequently we also see it on OsmAnd, it is in fact possible to map with truly incredible precision. Unfortunately, however, being less famous than Google Maps there are many fewer commercial activities available and also the opening hours and various information on the shops are generally more limited than Google.
However, anyone can do their part and manually enter, with impressive ease, all the neighborhood shops and all the important information. Returning to the benches: it is thanks to the users who patiently inserted them that they appear on the maps of OpenStreetMap and you too can do your part if you see something missing!
There are several methods to do this: you can do it manually through the site OpenStreetMap or you can use some applications like StreetComplete, Osm Go! or Vespucci that turn data modification into a game!
Finally, let's talk a little about navigation in the car: unfortunately it is perhaps not yet at the levels of Google Maps you hate Magic Earth, however in recent years it has definitely improved and there are many people who now use it as the default application also for i trips.
We could write about it for hours because OsmAnd It really has a lot of add-ons and many options that make it a truly unique application! For example, regarding travel, there is also a section beta called "Voyage” where you can read articles by Wikivoyage to learn more about places while travelling. The data can be downloaded so you can also use them offline!
Weaknesses
OsmAnd It's very beautiful but it's not without flaws, obviously. The navigation works quite well while the search is often not very precise. If you try to search for the name of a city it is not always easy to locate it. The same goes for streets and points of interest. This problem can be solved using the Telegram bots Address2GPS with which you can search for streets and addresses and then send them directly to the app. Alternatively you can use the application Acastus-Photon: allows you to search for the address you need and share it with your favorite application. A great gimmick and thank you for your suggestion.
The application is free and free, however some extras can be purchased separately thanks to the application OsmAnd+ available on Play Store. However, as often happens with all free applications, it is possible to download the full version for free on F-Droid. However, as always, we advise you at least to make a donation to support this wonderful project!
Link to use OsmAnd
• • • • •ALTERNATIVES TO OSMAND
- Magic Earth, it is not Open source but it is an excellent privacy-friendly alternative for navigation using OpenStreetMap maps.
- Read our pill article on three best alternatives to Google Maps.
Join communities
If you have found errors in the article you can report them by clicking here, Thank you!