Sadly there is no browser view, but they have selection of app stores on their page for the app (and IIRC they are working on a desktop version).
It has routing, searching, more map details (e.g. park benches, trash bins on the map), OSM editing, and pretty slick look in my opinion.
I recently switched to Organic Maps after learning about it here on Lemmy and haven’t touched Google Maps as much. I know it is not a perfect 100% replacement, but while it lacks certain things (e.g. public transport, but I use local public transport app anyway for better accuracy), it has so many features google lacks:
- hiking trail overlay that is more up-to-date
- stores maps on your phone in vector format (offline use is so much nicer)
- privacy focused
There is more to this than I know and write here, and probably many here already know about Organic Maps since there was the whole fiasco of google removing this app from play store awhile back, but thought it’s cool that the company behind it is in Estonia (man I still remember Skype, thanks Estonia ❤️ I’ve spent so much time on skype before it was aquired by Microsoft).
Edit to add extra info from website: Company is based in Tallinn, Estonia - Organic Maps OÜ
Just in case there are map nerds looking at this thread who might not know about a related app to fill OpenStreetMap attributes while having fun doing it: check out StreetComplete; PokemonGo but instead catch wrong / outdated / unmarked map information and get credited for it!
StreetComplete is awesome. I’ve been using it for well over a year now and it’s my go-to app for “playing outside”. To do some of the tasks you probably need the “Street measure” app as well.
Worth posting to !osm@feddit.uk
Til: I just learned the project is working on a desktop version.
Also join !organicmaps@sopuli.xyz to discuss the app!
We need 253 more subs to beat r/organicmaps counterpart!
Yay! we’ll get there, lemmy is growing, I’ve noticed that my procrastination moments with lemmy are no longer “scroll for 2 minutes and I’ve seen the whole of lemmyverse”. I’m actually procrastinating now.
I briefly tried the development version of their desktop version on Windows 11 using WSL and would not recommend it yet, but I can imagine it works better on Linux since it is a flatpak!
(before I get butchered on lemmy: I daily drive linux at home, windows 11 is for work).
Thanks for the link to F-droid! Appreciate it!
And now: I have to admit I have the same problem. I love OM but I keep it in day mode for the same reason. Wish there was a way to turn the menus dark mode and keep the map colors…
To be fair I don’t like Google Maps’ dark mode either. Otherwise it is dark mode for every piece of software I use.
Not feature-complete enough to replace OsmAnd for me yet (and maybe it never will be). OsmAnd is a nested menu nightmare of bloat and maybe Organic Maps isn’t aiming for that.
It’s a pitty they don’t have public transport routes for my location.
IMHO, Google Maps, even though I really want to ditch it, simply has a better overall experience
It is not a drop-in replacement for all google maps features, and it is totally okay to continue to use google (I still use it when I actually need something like streetview, pictures, reviews), but for e.g. nature paths (atleast in europe) organic maps has been better. And openstreetmap contributors are quite active in many places I frequent or visit so the information like opening hours are up-to-date mostly.
For public transport I always use the local public transport app, simply because it is more accurate and notifies of issues and I get my tickets anyway via apps.
But yeah I understand you and google maps is not going anywhere, just wanted to notify of an alternative map application :)
All good … and people should definitely be aware of alternatives.
Except for maps, I don’t use any Google services anymore. Ditched search for a selfhosted searxng, photos for selfhosted immich, and email is replaced by fastmail.
Agreed!
And wow, you really put effort into degoogling, damn nice work. I’m bit envious as I’m still trying to get into selfhosting and hope I can join you guys at !selfhosted@lemmy.world once I’ve gotten bit more into it!
Yeah it’s hard to ditch maps. They also have way more businesses listed, and an actually good review function. Nowadays I discover 99% of places via google maps, and while I do use organic maps whenever possible, it’s still more of a niche application. Offline navigation is probably the most common use case I got for them.
