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Add to SafariWhen comparing MAPS.ME vs Insight Timer Meditation Timer, the Slant community recommends MAPS.ME for most people. In the question“What are the best Android apps?” MAPS.ME is ranked 11th while Insight Timer Meditation Timer is ranked 27th. The most important reason people chose MAPS.ME is:
That saves a lot of download, e.g. from ~500MB in other applications it is reduced to ~50MB for German surroundings.
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Very detailed selection of areas to download
That saves a lot of download, e.g. from ~500MB in other applications it is reduced to ~50MB for German surroundings.
Pro Includes offline routing and turn-by-turn navigation
Users without a data connection can still use the app for turn by turn directions, which is great for those that travel or use a device that does not have a cellular data connection.
Pro Obtains data from community-based OpenStreetMap
MAPS.ME uses data from OpenStreetMap, meaning the data retrieved from that service is a community-based map. Anyone can freely edit and contribute to the map, a map concept that is similar to Wikipedia.
Pro Fast rendering
By using compression of the map data, MAPS.ME is able to speed up the rendering of their maps to one's device. This allows for a quicker feeling app.
Pro Optionally can download traffic information
And showing it color-coded (Google-maps-like) on the streets.
Pro Discover nearby feature
Shows a nicely organize list of interesting places to visit close to your current location.
Pro Matching modern material-like interface
The design of the app uses a material-like interface making for a close to native looking experience on Android.
Pro Offline vector maps
Automatically downloads vector maps for offline use.
Pro No nagging advertisements
Pro Easy to install
Pro Easy adding/editing of bookmarks/favorite places
Click on the map and you will have the option to Bookmark, Route From, Route To. Having selected Bookmark simply offers to edit it, e.g. give it a different name.
Pro Allows to edit OpenStreetMap data
It is possible to add new and edit existing POIs in OpenStreetMap database using a nice interface.
Pro Night mode
There is a night mode option.
Pro Integration with booking.com
Displays information from booking.com about hotels and apartments.
Pro Good free course
Has a good free intro course.
Pro Huge range of meditations
Pro Select the opening screen
You can choose from three options as the opening screen (the first thing you see when you open the app):
- Community map
- Timer
- Meditation library
Pro Detailed metrics on your meditation activity
The application features a statistics section where you can view your past meditation activity. Metrics include amount of time spent and your overall statistics for a certain time period. It also is a good method to see how your meditation is evolving.
Pro High sound quality
The meditation bells in Insight Timer have a very high sound quality which helps to bring a person into a meditative state.
Pro Able to engage with worldwide community
Insight Timer is used by over half a million users in over 140 countries and features a world map, discussion groups and the ability to share your progress with friends.
Pro Notifications can be disabled while the timer is running
Pro Built-in journal feature
When you're finished with a meditation session, the app allows you to write notes about that session. These notes are stored in a journal and can be exported.
Cons
Con Poor response time to recalculate the route
Con No option for satellite/aerial/topographic imagery
Not as useful for navigating while hiking/climbing/etc.
Con Very slow search and route calculation
Probably because MAPS.ME has more POIs in its database which ends up with all searches and route calculations being very slow.
Con No display of speed limit
Neither the next nor the current one.
Con No way to distinguish between fastest, efficient or shortest route
Con Very limited options
E.g. no way to hide certain buttons like the traffic button, or to configure the language used to display city names.
Con Sometimes very strange suggestions
E.g. when not using the suggested route, Maps&Me continues to request to turn even if you are more than 100m after the cross-road.
Con Favorites are a little bit too hidden
Because they are stored in groups.
Con Traffic information is not available in all countries and cities
Source of traffic info is a trade secret this feature is only available to some selected cities.
Con No lane assist
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 Does not show images offline
Does not show images offline if supplied in standard kmz file. i.e. zipped kml plus image folder.
Con No tourist detail maps
Con Glitchy
When using several bells, they often don't sound at the right time.
Con Too cluttered for a meditation app
Con Quickly drains battery
Insight Timer has some technical issues and the application won't close in the background in some cases. This causes your Android device to be quickly drained of its battery.
Con The marketing banner is horrible
Everytime you open the app you have a huge banner in your face trying to sell you stuff. It's the worst thing about the app.
Con Expensive in-app purchase for bell intervals
There's an in-app purchase of roughly $6 that will add an interval feature between bells, to let the user know how far they've progressed in a session.
Con From the great to the not so good
