Looking to drop Google? Here are the best Google Maps alternatives for finding your way.
With a number of community driven, open source mapping projects picking a navigation app without ads or tracking has never been easier.
Google Maps
First launched in 2005, Google Maps burst onto the internet eventually outgrowing the previous heavy weight MapQuest. Soon cities of the world were being visited by Street View vehicles and backpacks armed to the teeth with cameras and GPS software to make Google Maps even more accurate.
This is where the privacy concerns started to popup.
Google’s Streetview team is taking pictures throughout cities and neighborhoods around the world.
Every move you make… Google is watching
As Street View grew, it started to include images of people in places where they might not like to be seen such as abortion clinics or strip clubs. Images also began to surface of people in swim suits or in compromising activities. In response to the initial pushback, Google simply claimed that because the photos were taken on public property, e.g. streets or sidewalks, that the people in the images have no reasonable claim of privacy.
Google has since introduced measures like blurring license plates and allowing requests for images to be removed, but of course only after scrutiny.
Google’s creepy levels of collection were not limited to images and video, but also included the collection of publicly “visible” WiFi SSIDs and MAC addresses. Why this information was necessary for providing millions of users around the world with accurate routes to their nearest coffee shop was never provided, but again upon receiving pushback, this time by a data protection authority in Hamburg, Germany.
These repeated media reports of Google’s disregard for the privacy of the general public led to a push for open source, community driven alternatives to Google Maps. The biggest contender, now used by Google’s direct competitors and open source projects alike is OpenStreetMap.
OpenStreetMap and the rise of grassroots navigation
OpenStreetMap (OSM) was also created in 2004 in response to projects funded by the UK government not publicly releasing their datasets. It has since become the best alternative to Google Maps. As OSM has grown it has been adopted by major tech companies and open source projects alike. Google’s change to introduce pricing tiers for Google Maps also led a number of tech companies to make the jump to the open source project instead of funding their competitor.
Beyond building their datasets through data received from other tech companies and government surveying, OpenStreetMap is a largely community driven project. Users and volunteers can submit their own survey data to improve and add further detail to the maps. If you are interested in getting involved, OSM is built by the work of numerous local chapters which encourage public participation. Beyond crowd sourced GIS, the OpenStreetMap Foundation is an international non-profit and is funded largely by donations to the project.
Our own, quantum-safe calendar includes the option to add locations to your events using the OSM as an alternative to Google Maps. OSM allows us to make it possible for you to add location data to your events without needing to share any data with Big Tech companies like Google or Apple. This is yet another case of open source projects building off each other to create new and exciting possibilities for privacy minded users.
We are not the only open source project implementing OpenStreetMap data and we can recommend a number of great app alternatives to Google Maps.
Our recommended maps apps:
OsmAnd is a great pick for a Google Maps alternative.
OsmAnd is a fantastic choice when searching for an alternative to Google Maps. It is available on both Android and iOS devices with both free and paid subscription options. Free accounts have full access to maps and navigation features, but choosing a paid subscription will allow you unlimited map downloads and increases the frequency of updates.
All subscriptions can take advantage of turn-by-turn navigation, route planning, map markers, and all the favorite features you expect from a map and navigation app in 2024. By making the jump to a paid subscription you get some extra features like topo maps, nautical depths, and even point-of-interest data imported from Wikipedia.
If you are tight for cash, OsmAnd also holds regular giveaways where you can have the chance to win a paid subscription for free.
While looking for the best Google Maps alternative, you might want to consider ditching Google entirely by De-Googling! Like choosing a new maps app, using privacy-focused alternatives to Google is easier than ever.
Organic Maps is a great Google alternative built with privacy in mind.
Organic Maps is a great choice primarily because they offer support for all features of their iOS and Android apps completely offline. This means if you have an old phone laying around, you can install the app, download the maps you need and presto! You now have an indepth digital map in the palm of your hand without needing to worry about losing or damaging your primary mobile device when exploring the outdoors.
Organic Maps tugs our heartstrings by their commitment to privacy. The app can run entirely without a network connection and comes with no ads, tracking, data collection, and best of all no registration. You just need to download it and you’re ready to go.
Our third, and last recommendation today is Locus Maps. Locus Maps is built by outdoor enthusiasts for the same community. Hiking, biking, and geocaching are all mainstays of the Locus App, alongside standard street map navigation as well.
Locus is available in its complete version for Android, and an early version is available for iOS which is continuing to be worked on. Locus Maps offers navigation, tracking and routes, and also information on points-of-interest you might visit or stumble upon during your adventures.
Conclusion
Regardless of which app you choose for replacing Google Maps, they won’t steer you wrong. By choosing open source alternatives to Big Tech you can take one more step in your privacy journey.
Looking to drop Google’s Gmail as well? Why not try Tuta Mail. Tuta offers strong end-to-end encryption which can keep your digital life safe from the prying eyes of Big Tech and advertising agencies around the world.
Wherever you might be headed, we’ve got you covered.