When comparing MAPS.ME vs Sygic: GPS Navigation & Maps, 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 Sygic: GPS Navigation & Maps is ranked 6th. 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.
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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 Safe projection like hands free heads up display
GPS Navigation & Maps Sygic offers an in app purchase to add on a Heads Up Display for the app. This works for nighttime driving by placing ones device up by the windshield and the device will reflect all information in the windshield for a convenient hands free experience that is on the level of where ones eyes already are.
Pro Useful lane guidance
GPS Navigation & Maps Sygic provides lane guidance as a feature for safe lane maneuvering while driving which is great especially when on a highway of unknown locations being one never knows exactly what lanes to be in when merging or taking exits.
Pro Highly precise address data
GPS Navigation & Maps Sygic is powered by Tom Tom map data, which is often used by governments as well as emergency services.
Pro Local language guidance
Pro Easily assess location with 3D Navigation
GPS Navigation & Maps Sygic provides a very detailed 3D world during navigation, with elevated hills and even city buildings which makes for a more realistic view of where one is in comparison to their surroundings.
Pro Commercial Map Data
Utilizes commercial data for its maps that are supplied by TomTom Maps. While not strictly better it can have more up-to-date map data than OSM. This is also the reason for the the good address data.
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 Poor map viewing
Sygic's interface is tailored to navigation. While viewing maps in 2D is possible, it populates the map with a bunch of POI icons which detract from street names. The biggest issue is how easy it is to select something or start navigation when zooming in/out.
Still usable for map viewing though.
Con Bad map accuracy
Even the newest maps seem outdated and have many mistakes or inaccuracies. Entire ranges of house numbers are absent in some streets, 3d buildings are only present in some segments.
Con Bad routing
Con Pricey Android Auto
TomTom is more than 2x cheaper.
Con Updates require running app
After a Play Store update it is important to run the app once to download all the offline data again, otherwise it will not be usable when no external data is available. This is not only time consuming but inconvenient for those that may be in a hurry.
Con No voice controls
Seems a bit pointless having no voice alerts in the free one unless someone is sitting next to you.