I tested 5 major Google Maps alternatives — this is the one I'm keeping

After years of use, Google Maps became so integral to my work and leisure that I could barely function without it. Such was my reliance on this essential software solution that I never stopped to question just how much of my life it was tracking. From my daily commute patterns to my preferred holiday destinations to late-night searches for nearby food, it knew a worrying amount about me and my activities.

Out of curiosity and a search for better privacy, I decided to step away from Google Maps and try some of its biggest rivals instead. Over several months, I relied entirely on five popular navigation apps—Sygic, Magic Earth, OsmAnd, HERE WeGo, and Waze—for everything from urban navigation to foreign city breaks and far-flung motorcycle trips off the beaten track.

After plenty of traffic jams, reroutes, and signal drops, some surprised me, others frustrated me, and one stood out as the app I kept returning to.

Sygic

Slick and powerful, but not quite free

Credit: Jack Mitchell/MakeUseOf

Sygic feels like the most “premium” Google Maps alternative right out of the gate. The interface is well organized, the maps look fantastic, and​​​ it’s packed with useful tools. It’s especially strong for frequent drivers and tourers, with features like speed limit warnings, lane guidance, and realistic map visuals that assist without distracting.

The problem is that many of its best features sit behind a paywall. While the free version works well enough, it often feels like a trial version rather than the full experience. However, if you’re happy to pay for accurate navigation and want something that looks and feels refined, Sygic is a solid choice.

For me, I couldn’t justify paying for the subscription for features like live traffic data, when other apps offer similar benefits for free.

Price model

Free

OS

Android, iOS

Sygic is a feature-rich navigation app that offers offline maps, real-time driving assistance, and advanced safety tools like lane guidance and a built-in dashcam. Designed for drivers rather than casual explorers, it combines reliability and customization to deliver a smarter, more independent navigation experience.

OsmAnd Maps

Impressive offline power, but a bit fiddly to master

OsmAnd is a powerhouse, especially if offline navigation is your priority. You can download entire regions, customize map layers, and plan routes in extraordinary detail. It’s an excellent app for hikers, cyclists, and anyone who loves fine-tuning their tools.

For everyday driving, though, OsmAnd felt a bit like overkill. The interface is dense, menus are buried within menus, and simple tasks sometimes take longer than they should. While I appreciate how capable OsmAnd is, it simply wasn’t as user-friendly and intuitive as its competitors.

If you are after customization, control, and superior offline functionality, OsmAnd is unmatched. However, it wasn’t the slick Google Maps replacement I was looking for.

OS

Android, iOS

Individual Pricing

Free

HERE WeGo

A dependable but uninspiring option

HERE WeGo does exactly what it promises. Navigation is reliable, offline maps work well, and public transport directions are often excellent, particularly in larger cities. In testing, as a pedestrian using public transport to navigate Greater London, I found it to be reliable and predictable, which is no bad thing.

However, I found that routing options were limited; the interface felt a little dated, and the app lacked the detailed information that Google Maps excels at. Nothing about HERE WeGo is bad; it just never gave me a reason to choose it over its more dynamic competitors.

HERE WeGo is a solid Google Maps substitute with a reassuring commitment to privacy and few distractions, but it simply didn’t excite me.

OS

Android, iOS, Web

Developer

HERE Technologies

Price model

Free

Waze

Still the king of live traffic data

Waze remains unbeatable when it comes to real-time traffic intelligence. Thanks to its community-driven alerts, it excels at avoiding accidents and incidents, road closures, and congestion. For daily commuting, it often found faster routes than anything else I tested.

There are, however, a couple of downsides. Firstly, Waze is owned by Google, so if your goal is to step away from Google’s ecosystem, Waze doesn’t really help. I also never liked its bold, cartoonish interface, finding Google Maps to be far easier on the eye and less distracting. Offline navigation is also limited, and I live in an area with frequent data drops, making it unreliable for longer trips.

Overall, Waze is a fantastic companion app (that two-thirds of my household and many of our contributors prefer over Google Maps), but, to me at least, it’s not a complete replacement for Alphabet Inc.’s flagship navigation tool.

OS

Android, iOS

Price model

Free

The one I’m keeping: Magic Earth

A privacy-first platform that’s highly capable

Credit: Jack Mitchell/MakeUseOf

Magic Earth was the most pleasant surprise of the bunch. Built on OpenStreetMap data, it offers turn-by-turn navigation, full offline maps, speed alerts, and even a dashcam feature, all without ads or subscriptions. I put it through its paces while on a distant bike trip, and it was nothing short of impressive, especially when data dropped.

The app’s biggest selling point is privacy. You don’t need an account, and it doesn’t track you in the background. Despite this, Magic Earth doesn’t feel like it lacks features. Navigation is reliable, rerouting is fast, and the interface is clean enough for everyday use.

Magic Earth sometimes feels a little rough around the edges, and it is no match for Google Maps when it comes to traffic data, especially in busy urban areas, but there’s something about it that just feels good. As a no-nonsense tool that is all about pure navigation with no hidden agenda, it ticks all the right boxes.

OS

Android, iOS

Developer

Magic Lane International BV

Price model

Free (Android) and Subscription (iOS)

When it comes to navigation, one size never fits all

Trying to replace Google Maps made one thing very clear: there’s no such thing as the “perfect” alternative. Sygic shines if you don’t mind paying; OsmAnd impressed me with its depth of customization; HERE WeGo with its reliability; and Waze with its traffic awareness.

However, for my everyday needs, Magic Earth offers the best balance of functionality and features. It works offline, safeguards my data, and handles navigation efficiently and without drama. I may still occasionally open Google Maps—especially for its detailed information and tracking features. But when I need directions I can trust with no strings attached, Magic Earth is the app I’ll be turning to.