Alternatives to Google Maps

Google Maps is one of the hardest Google services to leave behind. The sheer breadth of information it contains is immense: shops, restaurants, opening hours, reviews, live traffic, Street View. Yet all of this comes at a cost: Google knows where you go, when you go, how long you stay, and how often you return.

Fortunately, the open-source mapping world has made enormous progress. OpenStreetMap is the collaborative project behind most of the alternatives, and in many parts of the world it has reached — and sometimes surpassed — the level of detail found in Google Maps. Apps built on OpenStreetMap also work offline, which is particularly useful when you're abroad or in areas with poor connectivity.

Turn-by-turn navigation, points of interest, downloadable maps — all available without sharing your location with Google. The transition requires a small adjustment: the interface is different and some features like local reviews aren't quite at the same level. But for getting from point A to point B, these apps work excellently.