Top Google Maps Alternatives in 2024
Why look for an alternative to Google Maps?
These last few years, we've noticed an increase in B2C organisations searching for alternatives to Google Maps. While popular with its high data accuracy, concerns around privacy and cookie tracking are getting more central, especially in Europe. More than ever, B2C companies are looking for accurate tools that can fit their needs more closely, and they are moving away from the “one fit all” solutions.
Choosing a location technology for its platform, website or mobile application relies on more criterias than before: data precision according to use cases, data management, prices, and customisation features. We evaluated several solutions based on this observation. Let’s navigate through all the options and discover which option is best for your business and your budget.
Top Google Maps Alternatives
Woosmap
Woosmap is a mapping & geolocation platform for organisations seeking to optimise their users’ digital journeys with location data. It provides, amongst other solutions, a map API that can be integrated on any platform or mobile app.
Precise & adaptable
Woosmap has partnered with several actors of the sector, combining a variety of sources for its API, creating products often surpassing the market or maintaining a comparable level in terms of accuracy. When looking for an address or a postcode Woosmap’s data sourcing is based on the best local data providers on the market. This level of data enables tailoring for each use case, resulting in less errors made and increased conversions.
Every piece of the Woosmap map is customisable. Choose what you want on the map: you don't need to show all the restaurants, shops, or cinemas in the area if it's not important for your business. Only display what is relevant to you.
Same for colours or icons, you can import your own and create a Map that fits seamlessly on your platform or mobile application. Woosmap’s APIs have been developed as tools that can be tailored closely to each use case. In consequence, all sectors without distinction could benefit from it: e-commerce, real estate, finance, healthcare, deliveries and more.
Developed with end-users privacy concerns in mind, Woosmap does not collect any personal data along its products' use.
Free account creation and subscription
You can already get started with the subscription and its 40,000 free monthly credits (valued at 200$). Implement the Woosmap Map and Distance API to speed up your customer journey. Wecasa conducted an A/B test on their website and noticed a 35% boost in conversion rates!
Their pricing adapts to all budgets, making it the more affordable choice on the market. Woosmap offers more than just a map, but several API that fit together to create a customised use case for each organisation, whether you need to find a place, calculate road distance, guide someone outdoors or indoors, create a geofenced area or more.
Open Street Map
OpenStreetMap is one of the most popular solutions after Google Maps. It’s a versatile mapping platform that gives several benefits for companies concerned about privacy, data collection and customisation. OSM excels in providing privacy-focused mapping alternatives to Google Maps, along with a range of useful functionalities for different mobility needs.
Open & free to use
OpenStreetMap was developed in 2004 relying solely on local contributors. Its model is “free of use” as it was developed in the “open source” movement. The platform is also GDPR compliant, meaning, some data is collected, but it is not linked to individual users.
We have to precise that because of its model, the data quality varies per region according to the number of contributors in each region.
Great customisation
Thanks to its open vision, OSM is customisable. Organisations can create their own map and have more control over the data displayed.
Open Street Map has multiple layers on its map allowing, among others, easy distance calculation for different mobility profiles such as car, cycling, and walking. It also provides various visual modes, including maps, aerial photography, and satellite views.
Due to the wide range of information gathered, the platform can adapt to every need and use case.
Cons
The main downside is due to the rich content and the heterogeneity of data, the final rendering for maps is not always as polished as some other solutions. Advanced characteristics may require a learning curve for new users.
Tomtom
Tomtom is a comprehensive mapping solution with a focus on navigation and traffic services targeting both enterprise businesses and individual consumers. TomTom is specialised in real-time data updates due to its focus on navigation challenges in the mobility and delivery sector by road.
Real-time data & privacy focused
Each product was made to provide updates regularly, ensuring accurate information in real-time. It’s useful for congestion updates and live traffic cameras in some areas which can help users navigate traffic-heavy routes.
In parallel, the company is engaged in privacy and protecting users’ personal information every step of the way. Upon use, everyone is protected through a two-step process attributing random ID twice and data is not shared with a third party.
Advanced customisation
Every business can access a free version of the TomTom app, but this version does not provide turn-by-turn navigation and has limited offline capabilities.
Nevertheless, the paid one offers customisable map views and sophisticated congestion updates, making it a good option for drivers who want to navigate traffic-heavy routes.
It also gives a range of mapping solutions including APIs for developers, in-dash navigation systems for vehicles and standalone mobile apps and it allows users to easily switch between different map views, including 3D and satellite views.
Cons
The free version of the app does not provide turn-by-turn navigation and has limited offline capabilities.
Mapbox
Mapbox is a location platform that has, amongst other solutions, a mapping tool aimed at providing location intelligence and data to developers of mobility and logistics services, among other industries.
Accurate data & privacy
Mapbox issues real-time and dynamic information to assist developers with making informed decisions. Though, Google Maps has been on the market longer, and accordingly has a stronger data base than Mapbox. The latter can be less accurate and complete depending on what you’re looking for.
Overall, the company anonymises and pseudonymes all data throughout usages only using it for product development. However it should be mentioned that data is processed mainly in the United-States with few other servers in the rest of the world, compliant to privacy framework in different countries of Europe.
Customisation focus
The range of solutions from customisable interface to turn-by-turn navigation and search is important at Mapbox as they focus their products on autonomous driving and navigation systems. Indeed, it enables developers to create map styles that match their brand identity and also allows them to embed maps on their website or application.
This solution can fit a lot of organisations needs as the map customisation integrates a lot of features. Implementation will mostly depend on the use cases.
Cons
Mapbox’s costs can be high, particularly for larger enterprises seeking custom solutions and we need to keep in mind that Mapbox is now focusing more on automotive challenges.
Primarily focuses on serving developers and may not offer a user-friendly solution for non-developers.
Here Technology
Here Technology is a mapping solution that primarily focuses on providing navigation systems for automotive companies, while also offering a range of features for concerned users about privacy.
All the data you need
Here WeGo is one of the best substitutes for real-time traffic updates compared to Google Maps, but is mostly restricted to the automotive sector. Traffic, navigation, route calculation, type of vehicle… HERE WeGo goes down to even the type of fuel used. The level of data is high on the market.
On the other hand, they allow users to easily disable their minimal collection and do not share any information with third parties, ensuring user privacy.
Free account creation
The platform offers a limited plan which is free, and a base plan adapting to any budgets, which makes it a good alternative for any organisation seeking to implement a map with a navigation system.
Cons
When looking at the map, we noticed that the personalisation features are limited with Here Technology. It is a tool aligned with Google Maps in the idea of having a "one fits all" solution rather than one that adapts to specific use cases.
It is also worth noting that Here Technology may reuse non-personal information for various purposes, which may not align with strict privacy preferences, and personal data may be reused for certain purposes but only internally.
Why businesses look for other options?
As the development of customised digital journeys are on the rise, so are new technologies. Google has asserted itself as a leader of the market providing companies with a simple solution for location services. However, with the recent concerns about privacy, and cost saving, have led many businesses to seek other options to mapping technologies.
Increasing Concerns regarding Data-privacy
In Europe, over the last few years privacy concerns have escalated with the number of new tools coming from the western and the eastern side of the globe; each continent and country has its own practice and laws when it comes to data collection.
Specifically in Europe, users are becoming increasingly aware of how their information is being used and collected, and as a company, it's vital to show your customers that you care about their privacy.
An Associated Press investigation found that many Google services on Android devices and iPhones store location data even if privacy settings prevent Google from doing so, further highlighting the need for a more secure location technology solution*.
Another critical factor to consider when looking for a substitute to Google Maps is the level of control you have over your audience's information. Businesses that use Google Maps often risk revealing their audience's every move.
Companies can protect their users and business data from being mined or tracked in ways they don't agree with by switching to a more privacy-minded solution.
The need of custom map design
Google Maps provides a one-tool-fits-all approach, with every user seeing the same standard map. As businesses look to differentiate themselves and create unique user experiences, custom map design has become increasingly essential.
By choosing a location technology solution that offers customisations, businesses can tailor their maps to meet their specific use cases (display specific places and not others, change colours, change icons etc.).
Make significant cost savings with an alternative
Google can be significantly expensive for small businesses. Many companies on a budget may find themselves struggling to keep up with the pricing, leading them to seek out more affordable options.
By considering cheaper options, businesses can save significantly on their technology costs without sacrificing quality and functionality needed for their operations.
When tool costs decrease, you can optimise and create more services with the money saved. Innovate on new services, and provide more location-based data... the solutions are limitless!
* The Guardian, “Google Records your location even when you tell it not to”