Organic Maps

Organic Maps
Developer(s)Organic Maps OÜ
Initial release2021
Repositoryorganicmaps on GitHub
Written inC++ (Core), Java (Android), Objective-C, Swift (iOS)
Operating systemAndroid, iOS, macOS,[1] Linux
PredecessorMaps.me
LicenseApache License 2.0
Websiteorganicmaps.app

Organic Maps is a free and open-source, offline navigation application that utilizes map data from OpenStreetMap. The app is designed to function without internet connectivity by allowing users to download maps for offline use. Organic Maps emphasizes privacy, as it does not track user locations or collect personal data.[2][3][4][5]

Features

Privacy

Organic Maps prioritizes user privacy by not collecting personal data or tracking user locations.[3][6]

Offline maps

Organic Maps functions entirely offline by allowing users to download maps in advance. Once maps are downloaded, navigation, search, and route planning do not require an internet connection. The app offers offline maps of the world, including cycling routes, hiking trails, walking paths, contour lines, elevation profiles, peaks, and slopes.[7][8]

Low battery consumption

The app is designed to optimize battery usage during navigation.[2]

Organic Maps provides navigation for various activities, including hiking, biking, driving, and public transport. It supports turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance and allows users to search for information on the map and add bookmarks.[2]

OpenStreetMap data

Organic Maps integrates with the OpenStreetMap project, utilizing its crowdsourced map data. The app includes an in-app editor that allows users to contribute updates to the map, such as businesses and landmarks.[9][5]

History

Organic Maps was developed by Roman Tsisyk, Alexander Borsuk and Viktor Govako. Maps.Me originally launched in 2011 as MapsWithMe, and became open-source in 2015. In 2021, the Maps.Me codebase was forked to create Organic Maps, focusing on privacy and performance improvements. The first public release of Organic Maps was made available in app stores in June 2021.[10]

Screenshot of Organic Maps displaying points of interest with dark mode enabled on a Linux system

See also

References

  1. ^ "Organic Maps Offline Hike Bike". App Store. 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2024-04-10. Requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
  2. ^ a b c "Organic Maps: Offline Hike, Bike, Trails and Navigation". organicmaps.app. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  3. ^ a b "Exodus Privacy Project report about Organic Maps". Exodus Privacy. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  4. ^ "Organic Maps : une alternative à Google Maps gratuite et sans publicité". Geeko (in French). Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  5. ^ a b "Organic Maps - OpenStreetMap Wiki". wiki.openstreetmap.org. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  6. ^ Popa, Bogdan (2021-08-11). "New Google Maps Alternative Promises Zero Ads, No Tracking". autoevolution. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  7. ^ "I tried using the open source map application 'Organic Maps' that can be used outside the service area for free and without ads". GIGAZINE. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  8. ^ "10 Offline Navigation Apps to Use When You are Lost or No Network". 16 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Organic Maps F.A.Q." organicmaps.app. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  10. ^ "Google Play Store - Organic Maps". Retrieved 2024-10-05.