Organic Maps (organicmaps.app)

Article summary

Organic Maps is a free, open-source, and privacy-focused offline maps and GPS app for hiking, cycling, biking, and driving. The app is developed by the same people who created MapsWithMe/Maps.Me and is powered by OpenStreetMap data. Organic Maps has reached 6M installs and is available for download on various app stores. The app offers features such as detailed offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and contour lines, and is free from ads and tracking.

Main themes

• Offline Maps
• Open-Source Software
• Privacy Focus
• Mobile Navigation
• Community Development
• Governance Concerns

What commenters say

• The governance of Organic Maps is a concern due to the use of donations for personal expenses and the inclusion of proprietary components in the code.
• Some users are switching to CoMaps, a fork of Organic Maps, due to concerns over governance and the inclusion of ads in Organic Maps.
• The developers of Organic Maps have the right to be reimbursed for their work, but this should be done in a fair, transparent, and accountable way.
• The fact that Organic Maps is a for-profit company and not a non-profit organization raises questions about its acceptance of donations.
• The majority of users may not care about the governance concerns and may choose Organic Maps or CoMaps based on their features and functionality.
• The inclusion of ads in Organic Maps, even if opt-in, is a turn-off for some users who value a ad-free experience.
• The use of donations to fund personal expenses, such as vacations, is seen as unacceptable by some users who expect transparency and accountability in the use of donated funds.
• The fork of Organic Maps, CoMaps, is seen as a viable alternative for users who value a community-driven and transparent approach to map development.