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Organic Maps is a
free and open-source Free and open-source software (FOSS) is software available under a Software license, license that grants users the right to use, modify, and distribute the software modified or not to everyone free of charge. FOSS is an inclusive umbrella term ...
, offline navigation app that uses map data from
OpenStreetMap OpenStreetMap (abbreviated OSM) is a free, Open Database License, open geographic database, map database updated and maintained by a community of volunteers via open collaboration. Contributors collect data from surveying, surveys, trace from Ae ...
. The application is designed to function without internet connectivity by downloading maps for offline use. Organic Maps emphasizes privacy, as it does not track user locations or collect personal data.


Features


Privacy

Organic Maps prioritizes user privacy by not collecting personal data or tracking user locations.


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.


Low battery consumption

The app is designed to optimize battery usage during navigation.


Navigation

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.


OpenStreetMap data

Organic Maps integrates with the
OpenStreetMap OpenStreetMap (abbreviated OSM) is a free, Open Database License, open geographic database, map database updated and maintained by a community of volunteers via open collaboration. Contributors collect data from surveying, surveys, trace from Ae ...
project, utilizing its crowdsourced map data. The app includes an in-app editor that also works offline, and allows users to contribute updates to the OpenStreetMap, such as businesses and landmarks.


History

Organic Maps was founded as a fork of Maps.me app in December 2020. The app Maps.me was initially launched in 2011 as MapsWithMe, later renamed Maps.me and open-sourced in 2015. On 20 December 2020, the then-owner of Maps.me app released a new version that was not based on the code published on GitHub, which resulted in backlash from the community. One of the users published a call to fork Maps.me and rebuild the community around it, and on 27 December a hackathon was organised to bootstrap the new project based on a previous fork that was used to publish the app on F-Droid. Two of the Maps.me app authors, Alexander Borsuk and Viktar Havaka, started their own fork on 20 December 2020, registered organicmaps.app domain on the next day and joined efforts with the community fork in January 2021. The project adopted a set of guidelines and policies and focused on privacy, performance and community. The first public release of Organic Maps was made available in the app stores in June 2021. In April 2025, members of the Organic Maps community raised concerns regarding project governance and transparency. These issues were outlined in an open letter addressed to the project's shareholders. The lack of a satisfactory resolution between the shareholders and the community contributors led a group of contributors to establish a separate, independent project known as
CoMaps CoMaps is a community-driven, free and open-source, offline navigation app that uses map data from OpenStreetMap (OSM). The app is designed to function without internet connectivity by downloading maps for offline use. CoMaps emphasizes privacy, ...
.


See also

*
Comparison of free off-line satellite navigation software This article contains a list with gratis (but not necessarily open source) satellite navigation (or "GPS") software for a range of devices (PC, laptop, tablet PC, mobile phone, handheld PC (Pocket PC, Palm)). Some of the free software mentioned h ...
*
List of free and open-source software packages This is a list of free and open-source software (FOSS) packages, computer software licensed under free software licenses and open-source licenses. Software that fits the Free Software Definition may be more appropriately called free software; ...
*
Comparison of satellite navigation software This is a list of notable commercial satellite navigation software (also known as GPS software) for various devices, with a specific focus on mobile phones, tablets, tablet PCs, (Android, iOS, Windows). Discontinued * Garmin Mobile XT; (compa ...
*
OpenStreetMap OpenStreetMap (abbreviated OSM) is a free, Open Database License, open geographic database, map database updated and maintained by a community of volunteers via open collaboration. Contributors collect data from surveying, surveys, trace from Ae ...


References


External links

* {{OpenStreetMap Free and open-source Android software OpenStreetMap Mobile route-planning software Satellite navigation software Android (operating system) software IOS software Internet privacy software Navigation maps Open source projects