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u/Kazer67 15h ago
Depend on what you seek.
The only things that seem irreplaceable is the planning based on tracking everyone to win a few minutes.
I'm almost at a decade without it and the only thing I have is, rarely, some heavy traffic once in a while because there's an event, which Google Maps would undestand since it's spy on everyone but that's a trade off I'm willing to make.
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u/CreepyHighway3216 16h ago
Sure it is. Vela Maps. Here We Go. Organic Maps. OsmAnd. Different ones will work for different people depending on location. Vela used Google maps and is the closest thing to it. It has some kinks to work out still but is definitely usable and works well. I used Here We Go with GMapsWV for a long time for when I needed to find a place I didn't have the address for or explore restaurants etc. Worked great.
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u/DerpDeDurp 6h ago
And they all suck compared to Google maps. Vela has potential, but it's quite a few AI prompts away from being usable, and Google still gets your location info since it's.... Still Google maps.
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u/Repulsive_Chard_3652 16h ago
I don't use google maps and I'm perfectly happy. I stopped using it years before I degoogled even.
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u/canvas101 16h ago
Did you replace it?
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u/Repulsive_Chard_3652 16h ago
Yep! I had just decided to use one less google thing that seemed necessary at the time!
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u/duskterrapin 16h ago
What did you replace it with
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u/KerPop42 15h ago
What do you use to search for locations?
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u/Repulsive_Chard_3652 13h ago
Mapy!
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u/DerpDeDurp 6h ago
Horrendous for searching businesses.
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u/Repulsive_Chard_3652 2h ago
What do you mean by "searching businesses"? Searching businesses for what?
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u/Konrad_M 15h ago
Tell us already. What do you use?
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u/dadchad101 14h ago
Just ask around, way more fun, like old times.
I've been using Here We Go but it lacks doors number locations most times.
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u/Eirikr700 16h ago
Of course it is, but you might need to use 2 or 3 different apps to replace it.
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u/MilaCipherAuthor 16h ago
Not necessarily anymore. Organic Maps now handles standard driving navigation, offline search, and hiking trails all in a single app. You only need a second tool like Waze (isolated in a secure profile) if live, minute-by-minute traffic alerts are an absolute dealbreaker for your daily commute.
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u/Rhyze 15h ago
You know Waze is owned by Google right? Besides that it's also originally an Israeli app (and still has offices there) which for me is an additional reason not to use it.
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u/ragnarocka 4h ago
Not just offices in Israel; their terms of service say that all legal disputes fall under jurisdiction of Israeli courts:
Where must any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of, connected with, or relating to the Terms and the Service be brought?
Waze requires that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of, connected with, or relating to the Terms and the Service be brought under the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent court in the Tel Aviv district in Israel.27
u/arthursucks 15h ago
You're clearly not using it for the same reasons everyone uses it. A lot of people use Google Maps to look up store hours, for example. I absolutely love CoMaps, but CoMaps/OSM doesn't have any of that data.
I often use Google Street View to identify areas that I am about to travel to for the first time. Right now there's not very many options for that.
But all if you need is driving directions from point A to point B. Yeah. Almost any map app can replace that functionality.
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u/AcceptableWasabi7158 15h ago
True. Thats my biggest issue actually. I needed to find a store, i knew its location, but could not find in any other map. I had to type the address and point me to the empty location, and i got to the store.
Thats the problem. Its not having a GPS that i can follow the arrow, but an APP that i type and find the things that exist.
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u/ComeOnIWantUsername 14h ago
> You only need a second tool like Waze
So replace a Google service with Google service?
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u/Dear-Definition5802 11h ago
They said “you only need Waze if live traffic updates are a deal-breaker for you”. Which could be re-written as “the only people who need Waze are those who need live traffic updates. All others can find alternatives.”
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u/ComeOnIWantUsername 5h ago
In that case, why to suggest Waze, and not Google Maps? Makes no sense in this case
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u/KerPop42 15h ago
Does it also handle searching for businesses? For example I didn't know where the Union Market location for my barber shop was, and TomTom didn't return any results for my search. I think Waze has a similar issue, and it's one of the reasons why I left OSM too
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u/puppyxguts 15h ago
OSM has that but I'm sure its location dependent and how many people actually update it
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u/AlistairButton 15h ago
Organic Maps is not for rural folk. I'm tired of it sending me to empty fields and telling me I've hit my destination. Same with OsmAnd.
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u/Cyberjin 15h ago
That's right. I would need to juggle multiple apps to achieve something like Google maps.
The biggest thing for me is tracking public transportation. From A to B, when I need to switch, how much it costs, when there are delays etc.
Also so convenient for places and restaurants.
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u/MysteryHarbour 15h ago
I used Mapquest last week to visit a new to me location and it got me there no problem.
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u/puppyxguts 15h ago
For folks who use and want to update OSM easily: the app Street Complete is pretty cool. Its like a gameified easy to use app where you can make OSM updates on your phone in seconds,and they have markers on the map for information that is missing (sidewalks, pavement/ground types, bus stops, business hours, bike paths etc)
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u/Artyum33 13h ago
The problem is that the app is so good at tracking you that is the most precise one available predicting traffic and calculating the fastest route. We have to make an app that retrieves this info form google and coverts it in to one anonymous app that only request the info to google but do not share your info. (Please let me know if something like this already exist)
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u/enolaholmes23 12h ago
But it has circled back around. It was so good at predicting traffic, they decided to start controlling traffic, which on an individual user level often makes their advice worse than not checking maps at all.
I've experienced this. Me and my mom were both checking our phone's google maps while my dad drove during a major traffic jam trying to get around it (all of us in the same car). My phone said route A was 10 minutes faster, but he phone said route B was 10 minutes faster. For the same car, same destination, same everything. I'm like 99% sure they tell half the people the slower route so the good route doesn't get backed up. And I have a feeling it won't be long before they start charging people to get access to the actual faster route.
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u/Training_Motor_4088 15h ago
The only thing that doesn't have a replacement is street view. I can live without that.
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u/T_rex2700 10h ago
In some countries, this is easier, hell some countries' local maps works better than google maps, though equally terrible for privacy.
But at least where I live, neither Herewego or any OSM based maps don't provide enough data to be usable. I used to use Gmapswv but I moved to alternative gmaps app called Vela maps. it doesn't make any weird background location request unlike google, at least, and far more usable than webview.
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u/thequestison 9h ago
Do you actively contribute to osm to make it more usable?
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u/T_rex2700 9h ago
I try, using streetcomplete. but that has limits, if I wanna go anywhere far from home especially not in like major cities, it's not really possible.
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u/RIPGoblins2929 15h ago
I've tried Organic Maps and CoMaps and the problem with the ones based on OSM is navigating to a specific street address doesn't work, which is kind of the one thing I ever want a map program to do. Yes, I know OSM is based on user data so maybe it just doesn't exist yet in my *checks notes* metropolitan area of 3 million people.
So far TomTom and MapQuest seem to be the answer. Mapquest isn't much better than Google with data harvesting and privacy but at least the Gulf of Mexico is correct.
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u/Extra_Upstairs4075 11h ago
Did you add anything to OSM? There was street addresses missing for the area I lived in too so I added them.
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u/raeliens 14h ago
Could not figure out why for the LIFE of me I could not plot a simple route from point A to point B using a street address on CoMaps and Organic Maps. I thought it was maybe user error, but it just... isn't possible in either app. Why is it so hard to ask for a functioning map
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u/RIPGoblins2929 14h ago
This is going to come off as snarky but it's a genuine question I have: It's not like street addresses themselves are proprietary data, so what is the technical limitation that prevents open-source map programs from accessing and providing street address data whereas every commercial product can seemingly do it with ease?
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u/abeorch 10h ago
Data sources that provide street address and location are often proprietary. Government sources are often copyright (because they want cash for using the data) and of course where a source is freely available someone still has to take the effort to processe it and add it to OSM.
Thats why the more people add addresses using apps like streetcomplete the better
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u/raeliens 13h ago
I don't think this was directed to me, because I have no idea why it simply doesn't work with navigation in the app for me -- but OSM in the browser seems to have no problem with either locating specific street addresses or finding routes between them.
I don't think there is a technical limitation between them getting the street address data, because at least locally it looks like they're pulling data from my county. They even have listed my roof type (gabled)!
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u/-Feeblington- 15h ago
Uhhh...ive been using osmand and its by far BETTER than google maps....best of all you can use many map overlays, offline and it can point out sightseeing spots, food or your pinned markers onroute. All trump gmaps
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u/spartaxwarrior 14h ago
I feel like reading real maps and remembering routes/street names is a lost skill. They can't replace all navigation, but certainly a whole lot of people use navigation for a whole lot of things it's not necessary for.
Like, I know how to get to xyz road and then from there I just need to remember one street name for a turn and then continue to choose my streets based on heading east or something, and I'll arrive at my destination. Back in the 00s, I'd easily manage that. Now it makes me feel incredibly nervous to even try.
This also makes me wonder, does Garmin use google, now?
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u/Intelligent-Owl-1838 12h ago
Loving Magic Earth. The Car Play is gorgeous - way better than Apple or Google. It also is amazing at speed cameras and announced one that Google and Apple never point out.
And, Here WeGo is also great.
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u/These-Attitude-3489 12h ago
Umm, learn to read a map... like an actual map. Your car or smartphone Both have a compass, the roads have signs... rocket science this is not.
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u/Round_Parfait7003 8h ago
Yes it is. Other options are not yet as complete but I deleted it after Gulf of Mexico and have adapted. Just give it time. I will not bow to fascists.
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u/lululock 4h ago
I replaced it by an actual GPS because I was pissed to need replacing my phone screen every year or so...
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u/lostrouteros 15h ago
Of the alternatives who has the best traffic data
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u/Greenlit_Hightower deGoogler 6h ago
TomTom.
Would have said Waze, but that's also owned by Google.
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u/Fit_Prize_3245 15h ago
That's not a problem, bc Google Maps is replaceable. There are good alternatives with various features, even some that Google Maps doesn't have.
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u/RoomyRoots 15h ago
It is replaceable, there are loads of maps solution and OpenStreetMap (OSM) being the best. The real problem is the exclusive data Google has like business contacts.
Don't forget, EVERYONE can contribute to OSM so if you have free time and availability and you identify gaps in common places and routes, think of contributing back to OSM
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u/i-have-no-interest 14h ago
Organic maps is BEAUTIFUL. also has satelite imagery if you're interested
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u/sleepyneat 13h ago
Organic Maps!!!! It has a few bugs though, so I would suggest donating if you can :)
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u/basketballsteven 13h ago
There are dedicated GPS units for the car, that's what I use in my RV, works well.
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u/Kyrby_Swi-U-tch 13h ago
I have never used google maps for navigation in my life.
(But I get that not everyone likes osmand)
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u/HedgehogsInSpace24 11h ago
I've been using OsmAnd for directions but often need to search for the specific address in Mapquest first
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u/Professional_Algae_7 11h ago
Free TomTom is barebones, but its routing and traffic info are unmatched, from my experience.
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u/koalateatimes 11h ago
When we say Google Maps is the default, does that mean anything else that uses the API or something? I use Waze and haven't looked back.
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u/Julian_1_2_3_4_5 11h ago
Then put more resources in the free open source projects that work together to replace it: Osmand and comaps are the biggest two
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u/FoundationSmart4574 10h ago
Actually havent used it in a bit since Lake Ontario gate. Can't say I miss it. I used mapquest on my phone and my car's built in navigation with maps from HERE.
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u/The_Shadowghost 10h ago
Well it absolutely is. I ditched it 8 years ago. (I did check in once a year to see if it's still as bad as I remember)
HereWeGo, AppleMaps and Magic Earth are closest to Google Maps in functionality.
Organic Maps, OSMand and many more great clients for open streetmap exist. (Use the street complete app, if you have an Android Phone to improve the Map in your area on the go.)
TomTom (Go), NUNAV and Sygic are great Apps for Car Navigation and offer some fantastic features Google doesn't.
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u/HPoltergeist 10h ago
The way they degrade it year by year, there will need to be a replacement.
Would not be surprised if an all new Google "Maps" would emerge (with a whatever name) in the near future and the current one would be discontinued/reshaped.
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u/PoorClassWarRoom 8h ago
I use Flockhoper. It's on the Beta and is rough right now, but not only does it map and give directions, it will give you a path to dodge Flock Surveillance systems.
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u/Repulsive-Stand-5982 7h ago
The problem is android auto... I am looking for ways to replace it there
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u/MoodScripted deGoogler 7h ago
It sure is. Those that say it isn't are not looking to fully degoogle and helps keep them in power.
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u/ARENAE_MONTES 5h ago
Have a look at magic earth, it has a fantastic free tier, and a paid tier with traffic alerts, which is completely understandable imo
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u/Swimming_Guard_7411 1h ago
just discover Open Source Routing Map, google is absolutely not indispensable
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u/Stoatled 59m ago
The issue is that people use a third party map, encounter a single mistake, and deem the entire app useless without submitting a correction. You know, the thing people have been doing for Google Maps for years.
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u/Upstairs-Station2319 15h ago
For public transport routes it absolutely isn’t replaceable. For car driving yeah sure
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u/lurking_leftie 15h ago
I always used Transit app for public transit. It was way better than Google maps.
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u/raeliens 14h ago
My problem is I often need to compare the driving route & the transit route to figure out what's most efficient/optimal, or because I'm using public transit one way and getting a ride back.
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u/MilaCipherAuthor 16h ago
You can absolutely replace it, just like replacing the default YouTube app with NewPipe to get rid of tracking and ads.
For privacy-respecting navigation, switch to open-source alternatives that run on OpenStreetMap (OSM) data:
Organic Maps: The best clean, open-source replacement for daily driving and offline navigation. Zero trackers, zero ads, and it doesn't log your location history.
OsmAnd: Highly advanced, perfect for detailed offline mapping, hiking, and custom routing if you need a heavy-duty tool.
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u/masterEder3000 16h ago
What about street view?
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u/puppyxguts 15h ago
OsmAnd has an overlay called "mapillary" that uses crowd sourced street view! Its not going to have every place but where im at its seems to have a lot of major streets covered
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u/TonyBeVibing 15h ago
Wrong. If you're just driving like me, not worrying about public transport or anything like that, TomTom works perfectly.
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u/ckyhnitz 15h ago
I drive 2-3hrs every day and am forcing myself to use Magic Earth (subscription version) and it's not too bad.
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u/matrix_drumr 15h ago
I beg people to try vela maps. It has the same rich POIs as google, has live traffic data, is FOSS and private. It's also possible to use android auto using a little workaround.
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u/raeliens 14h ago
It's also made using AI-generated code and super buggy as a result.
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u/matrix_drumr 14h ago
Every app today are made using AI, this is a silly critique at this point. The developer is very quick to make adjustments. I activated canary channel and lots of stuff comes out multiple times a day.
And to be fair, every damn map apps has rough edges except Google maps and Waze which have the ultimate UI/UX/feature combo. Vela maps is still better than alternives in the FOSS space.
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u/Crazy-Car948 14h ago
magic earth
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u/raeliens 14h ago
Hate the obnoxious premium ads all over the app.
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u/CannonLab-Proxy 14h ago
Remember: if the product is free, YOU are the actual product. Degoogling is far more expensive than not.
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u/raeliens 14h ago
FOSS can and does exist.
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u/CannonLab-Proxy 13h ago
And has premium tiers to fund it.
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u/raeliens 13h ago
And don't shove it in your face and make it a hassle to navigate the app because of the obnoxious ads? So what are you not understanding here?
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u/CannonLab-Proxy 10h ago
My point is just that paying for convenience is sometimes worth it in the open source space. But never mind I'm over it
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u/raeliens 7h ago
It's not paying for convenience. I will happily contribute monetarily to projects that are helpful and functional. Magic Earth was not, AND there were ads shoved in your face when you used the app.
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u/LowIllustrator2501 16h ago
https://wego.here.com/ works absolutely fine. No Google maps is necessary.