~/tools/maps

Maps

last updated 2026-06-17 · 5 recommendations · what changed

Google Maps logs everywhere you go by default: Timeline and Location History exist specifically to remember your movements. These alternatives range from "good enough privacy with full features" to "fully offline, no account, ever."

what actually matters

account requirement

Does navigation actually require signing in, or is an account only needed for extras like saved places sync?

offline availability

Downloaded maps that work with no signal at all, useful for privacy and for the dead zones a phone-only map can't fix.

open vs proprietary data

OpenStreetMap-based tools run on community-maintained, auditable map data; proprietary maps are a black box you can't inspect.

recommendations

Apple Maps

the ecosystem pick

ios / macos onlyon-device processingrandomized idsclosedfree

A solid default for iPhone users, and Apple's privacy stance here is genuinely stronger than Google's: route and traffic data processing happens on-device where possible, and randomized identifiers are used rather than a persistent account-linked history. Still Apple-ecosystem-only, and the map data itself is closed.

good

On-device processing for much of routing and traffic data
Randomized identifiers instead of persistent account tracking for traffic reporting
No separate app needed for iPhone users; already the default

mind the

iOS/macOS only; no meaningful option for other platforms
Closed, proprietary map data: nothing to audit independently
Signed-in Apple ID users still get some personalization tied to their account

free maps.apple.com →

CoMaps

the open-source pick

open sourceopenstreetmapno accountofflinefree

Built on OpenStreetMap data, with no account and no tracking by design. Part of the community-maintained fork lineage descending from Maps.me and Organic Maps: open development, transparent data sourcing, and offline maps as a first-class feature rather than an add-on. CoMaps itself forked from Organic Maps in May 2025 over governance concerns about Organic Maps' for-profit Estonian parent company.

good

No account required for any feature
Fully open source, auditable codebase and map data
Strong offline map support out of the box

mind the

OpenStreetMap data can lag commercial maps on business listings
No real-time traffic data the way Google or Apple provide
Smaller community-maintained project than the big commercial maps

free comaps.app →

OsmAnd

the configurable pick

open sourceopenstreetmaprobust offline navno accountfree + paid

Also OpenStreetMap-based, with robust offline maps and navigation and a deep settings menu that lets you configure almost everything about how the map looks and behaves. No account required. The trade-off for all that configurability is a steeper learning curve than a polished commercial app.

good

Highly configurable: map layers, routing profiles, units, all adjustable
Strong offline navigation, not just offline viewing
No account required

mind the

Interface is denser and less polished than mainstream map apps
Same OpenStreetMap data trade-offs as CoMaps on listings/traffic
Some advanced features sit behind a one-time paid unlock on certain platforms

free · some platforms have a paid unlock for extras osmand.net →

Magic Earth

the offline-navigation pick

proprietaryprivacy-positionedfreemiumno account required

Proprietary but privacy-positioned: core map browsing, search, and turn-by-turn navigation are free with no account required. Offline maps, traffic-aware navigation, and activity recording now sit behind a paid Premium subscription. A reasonable middle ground for people who want navigation with a privacy-conscious vendor but aren't committed to the OpenStreetMap-only ecosystem.

good

Core navigation works free and without an account
Privacy-conscious positioning from the vendor
Turn-by-turn navigation quality closer to commercial apps

mind the

Offline maps, live traffic, and trip recording now need paid Premium
Closed-source: map data and app internals aren't independently auditable
Smaller company and community than the open-source options

free core · premium for offline/traffic/recording magicearth.com →

Kagi Maps

the early-stage pick

privacy-focusedkaginewer / smaller

From the team behind the Kagi search engine, Kagi Maps brings the same privacy-focused approach to mapping. Worth being honest about where it stands: it's a newer, smaller product than everything else on this page, with less track record and a narrower feature set so far.

good

Privacy-focused approach consistent with Kagi's broader product line
Backed by a company with an existing track record on privacy in search

mind the

Earlier-stage product than the rest of this list: fewer features, less maturity
Smaller user base means less real-world battle-testing so far
Best evaluated directly before relying on it as a primary navigation tool

free · check current terms kagi.com/maps →

at a glance

tool	data source	offline support	account required
Apple Maps	proprietary	partial	apple id for extras
CoMaps	OpenStreetMap	full	no
OsmAnd	OpenStreetMap	full	no
Magic Earth	proprietary	full	no
Kagi Maps	mixed / check current	check current	check current

Kagi Maps is newer and changing quickly; verify current offline and account details before relying on it.

worth knowing

OpenStreetMap-based options sometimes lag commercial maps on business listings and real-time traffic. A restaurant that closed last month might still show up; rush-hour rerouting won't be as sharp as Google's. That's the trade-off for a map with no tracking and no central company deciding what you see: for most navigation needs it's a fair trade, but know it going in.