HERE WeGo
Free consumer maps and navigation app from Netherlands-based HERE Technologies (HERE Global B.V.): offline maps, multi-modal routing, traffic, CarPlay and Android Auto.
Shortlist HERE WeGo when you want a free, offline-capable multi-modal navigation app from a Netherlands-based controller (HERE Global B.V.) as a Google Maps alternative for personal travel. Skip for commercial fleets under the free licence, or when you need EU-only hosting with no US-group cloud—HERE lists AWS/Azure including US regions. Consider open OSM clients when open data is mandatory; consider licensed HERE commercial products for fleet.
Key capabilities
Download regional, country, or continental map packages and navigate without a live data connection. The WeGo privacy supplement states that pure offline use does not send Location Data to HERE—useful for roaming control, remote areas, or intentional isolation. Online mode is still required for live traffic, many map refreshes, and account sync.
Plan car, bicycle, walking, and public-transport routes, including multi-stop itineraries you can reorder. Door-to-door guidance can include walking segments and remembered parking locations so ETA reflects the full trip, not only the driving leg.
Voice-guided navigation with multi-language prompts, lane assistance, speed-limit display and warnings, optional speed-camera alerts (coverage varies), rest-area suggestions, and dynamic ETA when traffic data is available online.
Use HERE WeGo on supported in-car displays via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so phone-based navigation can drive the vehicle UI without switching to Google or Apple as the only option.
Traffic layers and the HERE Improvement Program are opt-in style controls described in the privacy supplement: you can limit contribution while using the app, run offline, or avoid signing in. Signing into a HERE account enables collection sync (name, email, date of birth collected at registration) and recent-search synchronisation.
Best fit when
- Individuals who need reliable offline map packages and turn-by-turn guidance abroad or offline
- Users seeking a non-Google navigation client with multi-modal and multi-stop planning
- Drivers who want CarPlay or Android Auto without defaulting only to Google/Apple maps
- Privacy-minded personal use where offline mode and optional traffic contribution matter
- Tech leads recommending a consumer/BYOD European-entity map app with clear personal-use licence
Poor fit when
- Commercial fleet, logistics, or paid-driver use under the free consumer Service Terms
- Buyers requiring contractual EU-only processing with no AWS/Azure or US SaaS subprocessors
- Teams that need fully open-source map software and OSM-only data
- Enterprises that need a negotiated DPA and SOC report scoped specifically to WeGo consumer telemetry without further vendor engagement
Consider instead when
When: You need dense local POI social data and default ecosystem integration on Android
Consider: Google Maps
WeGo trades some ecosystem lock-in and POI social layer for offline packages and a non-Google operator.
When: You require open-source offline maps with no commercial map vendor
Consider: OpenStreetMap-based clients (e.g. Organic Maps or similar peers when shortlisted)
OSM clients avoid HERE licensing and analytics paths but differ on traffic, POI freshness, and car integrations.
When: You need licensed fleet navigation, compliance tooling, or embeddable maps
Consider: HERE commercial platform / WeGo Pro-class products (via HERE sales)
Do not rely on free WeGo personal-use terms for commercial deployments.
- Independent no-logs / navigation telemetry audit·Not found
- ISO 27001·Vendor claimed
- SOC 2 / SOC 3·Vendor claimed
- GDPR / EU data protection·Vendor claimed
- +4
Considerations & known limitations
- MediumUS-region cloud and US SaaS subprocessors
Public subprocessor list includes AWS and Azure with United States locations, plus ServiceNow and MailChimp in the US. WeGo also discloses Amplitude analytics. Organisations with strict no-US-processor policies need offline-only personal use or a different product.
- MediumMulti-national shareholder structure including Intel
Dutch HQ and controller do not equal simple single-EU ownership. Intel and other non-EU shareholders appear in HERE’s public shareholder narrative; validate ownership for sovereignty-sensitive procurement.
- HighConsumer licence excludes commercial use
Service Terms restrict the free app to private, non-commercial purposes. Using WeGo as unpaid fleet navigation may violate licence—budget for commercial HERE products instead.
- MediumOnline advertising and analytics when connected
Privacy supplement describes cookies/SDKs, Amplitude product analytics, location-based advertising, and advertising IDs when online features and consent apply—materially different from offline-only sessions.
- LowEnterprise certs may not equal WeGo consumer scope
ISO/SOC/TISAX claims are strong at company/platform level; still confirm which systems and data flows are in scope before relying on them for consumer-app risk acceptance.
Open questions for due diligence
- For enterprise evaluation, will HERE provide a DPA and current subprocessor list scoped to WeGo consumer telemetry (vs Platform only)?
- Which exact AWS/Azure regions process WeGo end-user location and account data for EU residents today?
- What is the current beneficial ownership percentage split (German automakers vs Intel vs others) for board-control analysis?
- Is HERE WeGo Pro or another commercial SKU the correct licensed path for fleet use in your market?
- Are location-based ads and Amplitude collection fully disabled in all offline and privacy settings paths on current iOS/Android builds?
Preguntas Frecuentes
According to the HERE WeGo privacy supplement, no Location Data or other information is sent to HERE if you only use the Service in offline mode. Your device may still hold locally stored data that could be sent later if you go online. Live traffic, online search enrichment, account sync, and optional improvement programs require network use and involve collection as described in that supplement.
The consumer Service Terms grant a free licence for private and personal, non-commercial use and state the Service is not for commercial purposes. For fleet efficiency, compliance workflows, or commercial redistribution, evaluate HERE’s commercial navigation offerings (such as WeGo Pro / platform products) under a proper licence and DPA—not the free consumer app terms.
No. The controller is Dutch (HERE Global B.V.), and there is no single known US controlling parent, but shareholders have included Intel and HERE’s published subprocessors include AWS and Microsoft Azure with listed United States processing locations, plus US SaaS tools (for example ServiceNow, MailChimp) and Amplitude analytics on WeGo. Treat CLOUD Act exposure as medium (indicative) and validate offline vs online data paths for your threat model. Not legal advice.
No for core navigation: the privacy supplement explains many features work without sign-in. A HERE account is used when you want to synchronise collections (and related account features); registration collects name, email, and date of birth.
Official distribution includes iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), Huawei AppGallery, and Samsung Galaxy Store, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto called out on the product page. Feature parity can differ by OS version and device.
HERE publishes corporate and platform certifications (including ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and SOC 2 Type 2 for HERE Platform Foundation and Workspace) on its certifications page. Those attestations support the company’s security programme but are not automatically a product-level guarantee for every consumer app data path. Ask for the statement of applicability / report scope that covers the services you actually use.