Although Google Maps is a great navigation and mapping application, there are numerous Google Maps competitors that are just as good or even better. Your decision on a mapping tool will mostly depend on how you organize your travels and use your maps. In this article, we curated the top and most used mapping tools available online.
MapQuest
About as long as Google Maps has existed, so has MapQuest. It provides a mobile app as well as a web-based application. You can sync all of your navigation plans between the web and your phone if you have a MapQuest account.
When it comes to looking up locations and getting directions, MapQuest functions much like Google Maps. Based on your IP address (if you’re accessing the web) or your phone’s GPS, it will detect where you are right now (if using mobile). To see the route, simply enter a location and click Get Directions.
Waze
The web tool is primarily intended to enhance your mobile experience. You can rapidly plan routes and find destinations with the Live Map. You can click on specific areas to drop pins or add destinations, and you can use the Waze Map Editor to create a bespoke map of any area.
Compared to the majority of other navigation apps, the Waze mobile app is significantly more entertaining to use. This is as a result of the user-to-user social connection it provides (called Wazers).
Bing Maps
One of Google Maps’ main rivals is undoubtedly Bing Maps. But in order to compete, Microsoft doesn’t merely strive to mimic the Google Maps user experience. In its place, you’ll discover a modern, straightforward user experience. Along the top, there is a row of controls for sharing, traffic, directions, and other functions.
All of Google Maps’ capabilities, such as streetside, aerial, and road layers, as well as pedestrian and transit maps in addition to driving maps, are also available in Bing Maps. It is simple to add destinations along the route, print the map, and take it with you on your journey.
OpenStreetMap
Even though the OpenStreetMap website is straightforward, it offers more functionality than many other straightforward online mapping systems do. You’ll discover different layers available, incredibly accurate route planning, and a thorough map of your journey.
The routing also offers very precise walking or bicycling paths.
The fact that entering the origin and destination is not as simple on this website as it is on other mapping services is a disadvantage. Additionally, since the OsmAnd mobile app and the web mapping service are not directly connected, sharing saved routes is not possible. To use the map offline, download it as a file to your phone, transfer it there after finishing your trip, and then load it into the mobile app.