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Add to SafariWhen comparing MAPS.ME vs Be-on-road (Offline Maps & Navigation), the Slant community recommends MAPS.ME for most people. In the question“What are the best offline GPS navigation apps for Android?” MAPS.ME is ranked 2nd while Be-on-road (Offline Maps & Navigation) is ranked 8th. 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 Display of speed and (current) speed limit
If exceeding the current speed limit by more than 10km/h, the current speed display turns red.
Pro Display of next speed limit change
When routing you can see the next speed limit traffic sign displayed, so you can better estimate when to release the right pedal to drive more efficiently.
Pro Easy to set up map data
It is easy to select for which country to download the maps initially.
Pro Navigation-orientated interface
Easy to select target(s), easy definition of home/work addresses, clear interface while navigating.
Pro Smooth update of the display while driving
Pro Good display of lanes to use
e.g. on Autobahn exits.
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 Needs quite some time to recalculate and select an alternative route
When intentionally driving a different than the suggested street, it tries a long time to get you back onto the initially suggested route though alternatives would be faster and shorter.
Con Speed limits often are incomplete or outdated
Con Outdated map data
Con Unclear what map data source is used
If it would use Open Street Map data, it would add the option to fix something, e.g. the speed limits, yourself.
Con No routing options
E.g. there is no option to configure average speed values to use for certain kind of streets.
