Private and open-source alternatives to Google Maps
7 maps and navigation rated against the same public privacy criteria as Google Maps, with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: no. Closed source.
- No trackers or telemetry: no. The Exodus report finds Google Firebase Analytics in the Android app, and Google's privacy policy covers collection of location and activity data.
- No ads or data sales: no. Funded by advertising. The privacy policy says Google uses collected data to show personalized ads.
- Independent audit: no. No independent audit is published.
See the full Google Maps rating.
The alternatives
CoMaps Grade B
Community-run, non-profit offline maps and navigation app built on OpenStreetMap data. Search and routing run on the device.
CoMaps scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the maps and navigation criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
Organic Maps Grade B
Offline maps and navigation app built on OpenStreetMap data, run by Organic Maps OÜ in Estonia. Governance disputes among contributors led to the CoMaps fork.
Based in Estonia. Organic Maps scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the maps and navigation criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
OpenStreetMap Grade C
Collaborative world map built by volunteers and published as open data under the ODbL. The website offers map browsing, search, directions and editing, and the data powers many other map apps.
Based in the United Kingdom (Five Eyes). OpenStreetMap scores 65 out of 100 (grade C) on the maps and navigation criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: open source and no ads or data sales.
OsmAnd Grade D
Offline maps and navigation app built on OpenStreetMap data, with routing for driving, cycling and hiking, contour lines, GPX tracks and plugins. Developed by OsmAnd BV.
Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes). OsmAnd scores 50 out of 100 (grade D) on the maps and navigation criteria. It meets 1 of 4 criteria: no ads or data sales.
Magic Earth Grade F
Navigation app using OpenStreetMap data, with offline maps, traffic, public transit and activity recording, and paid premium features. Run by Magic Lane International B.V.
Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes). Magic Earth scores 35 out of 100 (grade F) on the maps and navigation criteria. It meets 1 of 4 criteria: no ads or data sales.
HERE WeGo Grade F
Free maps and navigation app from HERE Technologies, with driving, transit and walking directions, offline maps and a web version.
Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes). HERE WeGo scores 0 out of 100 (grade F) on the maps and navigation criteria. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit.
Mapy.com Grade F
Map and navigation service from the Czech company Seznam.cz, formerly Mapy.cz, with offline maps, tourist and cycling routes, and a web version. Coverage is most detailed in Central Europe.
Based in Czechia. Mapy.com scores 0 out of 100 (grade F) on the maps and navigation criteria. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit.