OsmAnd
Offline-first maps app using OpenStreetMap data with extensive customization and privacy.
Overview
OsmAnd is an offline maps application built on OpenStreetMap data. Unlike Google Maps, which tracks your every move, OsmAnd stores all data locally and phones home to nobody.
Originally designed for outdoor enthusiasts, OsmAnd has evolved into a full-featured navigation app suitable for daily use.
Key Features
Complete Offline Operation
Download detailed maps for entire countries. Navigate without any internet connection. Perfect for travel, hiking, or areas with poor connectivity.
OpenStreetMap Data
Powered by the community-driven OpenStreetMap project, often more detailed than Google Maps for trails, paths, and points of interest.
Specialized Routing
Beyond driving directions, OsmAnd offers routing for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, skiing, and more—with elevation profiles and difficulty ratings.
Privacy & Security
OsmAnd collects no data. All maps are stored locally on your device. There are no accounts, no tracking, no analytics. It’s about as private as navigation can get.
Getting Started
- Install OsmAnd from your app store
- Download maps for your region
- Spend time learning the interface (it’s powerful but complex)
- Enable voice navigation in settings
- Explore the various map layers and routing options
Who Is It Best For?
OsmAnd is ideal for privacy enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, travelers in areas with poor connectivity, and anyone who wants navigation without surveillance.
Final Verdict
OsmAnd offers unmatched privacy and offline capability. The learning curve is steeper than Google Maps, but the trade-off is total freedom from tracking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Works completely offline
- No tracking or data collection
- Extremely detailed maps
- Highly customizable
- Hiking, cycling, ski trails
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Interface is complex
- No real-time traffic
- No business information