User2288 My extent of using OsmAnd was probably half an hour. When I first installed it I fiddled around with it for half an hour to figure things out. I'm a technical person and not easily put off by complicated things, but rather quickly I felt overwhelmed with all the settings

I agree that OsmAnd has a lot of configurability. It can be challenging to learn it all.

Just playing around, the map layer also felt rather heavy and sluggish. The color scheme of the map also put me off as things didn't "look" as clear to me.

I have not encountered "sluggish" personally . The map appearance is very configurable - there are "themes" you can select. I have, like you, not always liked their default choices for readability, or even their map "themes" without tweaking.

I think OSmAnd would do better to next hire and listen to a good UI/UX person rather than a coder.

This may be a "google" syndrome that we have all developed, if it looks different you are thrown off by "feel".

Anyway I left it to explore later and haven't opened the app since. I'm saying this to say that I may not be a good judge of OsmAnd at all because I really haven't used it enough. I also wanted to point out how easily "feel" and what we are used to can throws us off and have us not use something.

Google reportedly does a lot of usability A/B testing. OsmAnd, Im certain hasn't even come close to that, and as installed is challenging. If one spends the time it can be customized quite nicely IMO.

    zehyani I thought OSMAND uses a lot of battery. My phone gets hot and the battery runs down fast. This is with offline maps downloaded.

    Interesting. I often use OsmAnd with route tracking ("recording") , so I can review my trip after for fun and interest. I have found little battery use in doing that. However that is almost totally with the map (screen) off and just the location data with time being recorded, and only occasional looks at my position on the map. My P7 does not get hot at all. I have been surprised, after the many reports otherwise.

    I suspect another operating setting difference between my phone and others.

      dlb Realistically there is no better navigation on mobile device than Google maps. So I am searching a similar one. I care about privacy, that's why I'm here.
      What is best in your opinion and what is similar to gmaps.

      I care about privacy so am not using Google software at all now, so I cannot answer your question. Sorry.

        Magic Earth is the best there is after Google Maps. It is at least relatively private and fully functional. Navigation App is one of those aspects where you may need to surrender some privacy in order to drive safely without having to find yourself and your vehicle slowly drowning in a lake as you tell your passangers "Navigation App said to drive forward, so..."

        pdagenius How were you able to buy the subscription? I have Sygic on my GrapheneOS P7, nothing Google installed, and when I click to buy the subscription, I get an error message. I tried uninstalling Sygic, installing Google stuff from Apps and reinstalling Sygic, still no luck.

        I've e-mailed the company for help on other ways to license it but haven't heard back yet.

          lcalamar Spent the day trying out:

          • Magic Earth
          • Organic Maps
          • OSMAND+

          They are listed in order of usability (for me).
          Of these I find OSMand+ to be pretty useless. Organic maps is ok but Magic Earth is by far the best of these.

          I do have GMaps in a separate profile - and disabled but it is there if I want to use it.

              The biggest issue I see with most nav software is lack of TRAFFIC data. Unfortunately, this makes gmaps and/or waze (same thing, different UI) pretty much indispensable.

                abcZ Yeah - that's why I keep gmaps around... I do have a GPS device in my car - and it does traffic ok (Garmin)... when I'm planning to go somewhere though - I prefer to do it at home prior to getting in my car. That way I can avoid an app yelling at me while I am driving.

                  abcZ

                  Yeah... but I cringe to use traffic mapping knowing that they get that data by snooping on users.

                    Thinking "outside of the box" on this topic but I wanted to suggest that a standalone GPS is always an option albeit not the cheapest option. You can find Garmin GPS units for decent prices these days and they don't require an account or any personal information to use.

                      Yeah, I looked at the TomTom GPS units as a possible alternative.

                      I managed to buy a subscription to Sygic on another android device I have that is connected to the playstore (while logged into Sygic via my e-mail) and that seems to be working well. Yes, they may be logging my data but it's not Google. Will try it and see.

                      I've had network access restricted on Gmaps for more than 3 weeks now and the map I downloaded is still working so maybe the downloads last longer than 2 weeks that someone else reported?

                      As for Waze, I had considered it but won't use it because it doesn't function offline and Google isn't getting my mapping data.

                      alex_herrero
                      I think Waze is horrible, even just from a navigation standpoint. This opinion based on a decade of cab rides in new york and arguing with countless waxe-using cabbies

                        Conjure6589 YES... that is why I got my Garmin DriveSmart 65. I keep it in my car.

                        Pros:

                        • Doesn't track me
                        • does 1 thing only (not 100% true - I also added a BT backup camera - awesome)
                        • does a pretty decent job but not as good as gmaps - but 95% as good

                        Cons:

                        • I use speech and typing for making entries, try to save as many addresses as I can - but data entry just is cumbersome. Doesn't do well for finding businesses, restaurants, etal... (but I don't really use that feature with nav apps either...)
                        • Because it is kept in the car - I can't use it to map a route before I leave
                        • GPS lock can take a long time - and isn't great in certain areas and under bridges, tunnels, etc...

                        All in all though its a good solution.

                        Note: I got it because at the time I had a minimal phone (LPII) and it didn't do any nav.

                          After exploring all options, Magic Earth is the best alternative. It has a decent options and it has live traffic. Live traffic is definitely needed as you wouldn't like that your Navi guides you in a traffic jam they are not aware of..
                          So Osmand and organic maps are not good for driving, Cause it can lead you in a traffic jam.

                            dlb Thanks for validating that magic Earth works best for driving!!

                            I would add that both organic maps and osmand also are more difficult to use.

                            • dlb replied to this.

                                lcalamar And the best option by far is speed cameras warning. It is top notch when it comes to privacy when dealing with navigation.

                                  User2288 You say it gathers locations and wifi data.
                                  Is this connected to your profile, or just uploaded as part of their map/location database?
                                  And what if you use Google Maps without a profile? I do delete my Google account, so I'm not logged in Google Maps. Is this mitigating some of the data tracking this way?
                                  I also tried Organic Maps and OsmAnd, but neither of it comes even close when searching for places. It is actually so bad as to be not usable. If you search for a building name, it doesn't suggest as a search result, but when you zoom in on the address, it is showing that exact building name?!

                                      Used Osmand for several years, switched to Organic Maps a few month ago.

                                      Both are nice. Osmand filled with features, Organic just the basics in a very polished app.