Organic Maps
TAS Score: S3/3 — D5/5 — A3 / T2
Brief Description
Fast, lightweight offline maps. Fork of Maps.me without ads, tracking, or data collection. Clean interface, quick map downloads. Ideal for walking, cycling, and hiking.
Architectural Role
Client-side application layer — navigation and mapping. OpenStreetMap data. Fully offline.
Technical Autonomy
- Works without internet (offline maps and routing)
- Stores data locally (maps on device)
- Does not require external accounts
- Allows data export (KML/KMZ bookmarks)
- Provides offline updates (F-Droid)
Philosophical Assessment (whose.world criteria)
| Criterion | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Pause | ✅ | Maps work forever offline. |
| Exit | ✅ | KML export. Standard formats. |
| Recoverability | ✅ | Re-download maps anytime. |
| Visibility | ✅ | Fully open-source. |
| External Dependencies | ✅ | Internet only for map downloads. |
Rating key: ✅ fully meets · ⚠️ partially meets or requires configuration · ❌ does not meet
Configuration (Minimal)
Install from F-Droid, App Store, or Play Store. Download maps. Navigate.
Related Recipes
Alternatives
| Alternative | Autonomy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OsmAnd | A3 / T2 | More features (hiking profiles, nautical). Steeper learning curve. |
Trajectory
Direction: opening Active development. Growing community. Clean fork of Maps.me with ethical foundation. No ads, no tracking. Funded by donations. Signal assessment: | Signal | Status | Evidence | |——–|——–|———-| | License | ✅ | Apache-2.0, unchanged. | | Feature gating | ✅ | All features free on all platforms. | | Self-hosting | ✅ | Client app. | | Governance | ✅ | Community-governed. Multiple core contributors. | Signal key: ✅ opening · ➖ neutral · ⚠️ closing —
Sources
- Website: https://organicmaps.app
- Documentation: https://organicmaps.app/faq
- Repository: https://github.com/organicmaps/organicmaps
- Docker image: —
- Community: https://github.com/organicmaps/organicmaps/discussions