When comparing OsmAnd Maps & Navigation vs HERE Maps - Offline navigation, GPS, directions & transit tracker, the Slant community recommends OsmAnd Maps & Navigation for most people. In the question“What are the best offline GPS navigation apps for Android?” OsmAnd Maps & Navigation is ranked 1st while HERE Maps - Offline navigation, GPS, directions & transit tracker is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose OsmAnd Maps & Navigation is:
[OSM][1] provides a map editable by everyone; just like the web-based encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Using a community edited map allows one to correct isses they encounter. Combined with the monthly turn around, these edits are added for navigation quickly. [1]: http://www.openstreetmap.org/
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Based around crowdsourced OpenStreetMap data
OSM provides a map editable by everyone; just like the web-based encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Using a community edited map allows one to correct isses they encounter. Combined with the monthly turn around, these edits are added for navigation quickly.
Pro OpenStreetMap contributing made convenient
One can also utilize features to contribute back to OSM. This includes reporting a bug or adding a POI. This feature doesn't require an internet connection as the points can be uploaded latter upon request.
Pro Works offline once the maps are downloaded
Pro Helpful lane guidance
Lane guidance can assist in deciding if one should stay in the right or left lanes. OsmAnd provides detailed information on the number of lanes and which are valid for your chosen destination; based on the data available it may show too many or too few lanes.
Pro Excellent general map viewing
Sometimes one needs more than just navigation, they have a need to view a map or specify a specific route. OsmAnd provides a very nice, detailed map. This can be good for seeing what is around you or showing a place you are talking about to a friend.
It also provides a means to add waypoints on the map which can be used to dictate a specific route (not simple enough to do routinely).
Pro Routinely updated maps
Utilizing the community driven OpenStreetMap data has allowed for monthly publishing of new maps that the user can use. Though that doesn't necessarily mean the map data has changed.
Pro Free and open source
Pro Shows speed limit
Pro Contour lines enable understanding the terrain
Through the use of an additional plugin OsmAnd Maps & Navigation is able to utilize contour lines on its maps which helps view the landscape and terrain.
Pro For car navigation, vehicle parameters and specifications can be entered
This helps in optimizing route calculations based on vehicle's maximum speed or a country's maximum speed limits, typical driving speeds, width and height of the vehicle and so on.
Pro Has an option to FAVOUR (rather than avoid) unpaved roads (remember when you have this selected!)
This helps in avoiding often congested main roads and in casually discovering alternative routes, sometimes dirt roads as well, which are commonly far less-travelled in most places. Odd place for this option though, should be near the section where you can select which types of roads to avoid instead.
Pro Downloadable offline usage
One can download maps for virtually the whole world. You can download maps for offline use by continents, countries or by state.
Pro Speed Alert notification
The app can alert you with beeps when you are speeding (a user adjustable threshold) over the current speed limit.
Pro Web version for planning/storing favorite places
Specially good for traveling.
Pro Great Lane guidance and Speedway EXIT images
Cons
Con Slow and sometimes poor search
Most often does not find what you are looking for (which is not caused by bad OSM data).
Con Slow rendering
It can take some time for an area to be rendered. This tends not to be a problem during navigation since only a small area must be rendered as the map moves, and this area isn't immediately needed; though likely a bigger issue with smaller screens.
Con Poor navigation interface
The interface is not the most intuitive, though is continually progressing. It doesn't provide a 3D view like many navigation apps.
Con Near impossible to scroll through map
Due to the slow rendering (already mentioned) it is near impossible to scroll through OsmAnd's maps. You move the map only slightly and it takes ages to redraw all vector layers.
Con No display when the next speed limit occurs
When driving on unknown streets you are often surprised by speed limits or town signs, so you have to friction brake.
Con Terrible address data
This is a limitation of OSM's data, but it is unreliable for locating an address while offline. Even with internet it doesn't appear that it can locate most addresses.
Con No recorded voices can be found for download, only text-to-speech
Though not generally a problem, since OsmAnd+ favours TTS-based voice prompts it does advertise also supporting recorded voice prompts. However they cannot be downloaded or selected anywhere in the app, so you'll end up with awkward pronunciation, depending on your device's TTS engine, especially when setting your language to English in a non-English speaking area. Disabling street names will help as a limited workaround, but for those looking for clear and well-pronounced instructions, it's better to look elsewhere.
Con Being based on OpenStreetMap data can be lacking
The use of OSM also has the drawback of many places not getting the attention needed for updates. Depending on the geographic location OSM may have the most detailed maps or the most bare/outdated map.
Con No lane guidance
Lane guidance is very helpful in large urban cities or on the interstate, it's easy to feel lost and miss a turn without lane guidance.
Con POIs not as current as competitors
Points of Interest tend to not to be as up to date as other online apps are. Often another app has to be used in order to look for interesting places, or connect to a hotspot.
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