I imagine certain features like Google Maps’ different busyness indicators might be missing because otherwise that would require telemetry?
I imagine certain features like Google Maps’ different busyness indicators might be missing because otherwise that would require telemetry?
Almost all alternatives use OpenStreetMaps. I prefer Magic Earth but all of them are similar enough
The main issue is OSM. They lack many addresses (varies A LOT among different countries, some are fine) and POIs. Please consider contributing yourself, because it depends only on volunteers!
It is SUPER easy. Just download StreetComplete on Android to add multiple different info in a very easy way (or just house numbers which are the most important info) and EveryDoor for POI editing/deletion/addition in just a few clicks. And don’t worry if you don’t input something because you aren’t sure as long as what you enter is correct
interestingly in my region in germany osm is more reliable in regards of house numbers then google is
in some areas osm is insanely detailed, with trash cans, flower pots, and all kind of stuff. Nerds fucking rock.
Some basic information, including building numbers, can also be edited from within Organic Maps.
I gave OpenStreetMaps a try a few years ago and tbh it was shocking just how outdated it was. It listed businesses as existing that hadn’t been around since before I was born and there were several streets that just didn’t exist at all.
I did my best to update it, but there was just so much that was outdated in my area that I eventually gave up. It honestly would’ve been easier to just redo the entire thing from the ground up, that’s how bad it was for my area. To be fair, even Google maps isn’t idea, there are parts of the city where I live that haven’t had a street view update in 10 years, but at least the actual map info is accurate.
I’ve heard from people in Europe that their experience was that OpenStreetMaps was actually better than Google maps, so yeah there is some significant variance in quality depending upon region.
I just installed streets complete, and my street shows no houses at all. My area was built out in 2013.