OsmAnd
Dutch open-source offline maps and multi-mode navigation app (OsmAnd B.V., Amstelveen) built on OpenStreetMap data for Android and iOS, with optional OsmAnd Cloud sync.
Shortlist OsmAnd when you need a Dutch-entity, GPLv3 offline OSM map and multi-mode navigation client with deep plugins (topo, Wikipedia, GPX, OSM edit) on Android/iOS. Skip when you need polished urban multi-modal search like Google Maps, sport-social outdoor planning like komoot, or a hard no-US-cloud stack—OsmAnd Cloud uses Amazon plus Scaleway, and web checkout uses FastSpring (US).
Key capabilities
Download country/region OSM vector maps to local storage for browsing, POI search, and navigation without mobile data. Free tier limits map downloads (official docs: seven); Maps+/OsmAnd+ unlocks unlimited regional packs. Manual map install avoids OsmAnd server UUID download telemetry.
On-device routing with voice guidance, re-routing, optional lane guidance, ETA, and intermediate points. Documented profiles include car/truck/motorcycle, bicycle/MTB, pedestrian, public transport, ski, horse, boat, train, moped, and straight-line options, plus online and BRouter paths.
Plugin system adds contour lines, hillshade/slope, 3D relief (Pro), offline Wikipedia/Wikivoyage, trip GPX recording, nautical and ski styles, OSM editing, external sensors, and vehicle OBD metrics. Several layers require Maps+/OsmAnd+ or Pro rather than the free download quota alone.
Official navigation docs cover Android Auto and CarPlay integration for in-vehicle map guidance. Android Auto support is tied to Google Play distribution; Huawei AppGallery Maps+ installs are documented as without Android Auto.
Application source is on GitHub under GPLv3 (app-store exception; visuals CC BY-NC-ND). Product access is freemium and ad-free: free core nav, Maps+/OsmAnd+ for unlimited maps and paid plugins, OsmAnd Pro for Cloud sync, hourly Live updates, and full Pro features—without retail prices on this page.
Best fit when
- You want offline regional OSM maps and on-device routing without Google/Apple map lock-in
- Hiking, cycling, ski, boat, or other non-car profiles matter as much as road driving
- You value open-source client code (GPLv3) and optional F-Droid builds
- You need GPX recording, topography layers, offline Wikipedia, or in-app OSM editing
- Dutch legal entity and ad-free freemium packaging fit procurement/privacy shortlists
Poor fit when
- You need always-fresh commercial POI/transit data and minimal UI learning curve (prefer Google Maps)
- You require a signed B2B DPA, ISO/SOC, or fleet management product—none found publicly
- Hard requirement to avoid all US-group cloud/payment processors (Cloud uses Amazon; web payments via FastSpring)
- Commercial redistribution or white-label embedding without negotiating store/GPL exceptions
Consider instead when
When: You want simpler offline car navigation from another NL operator without deep OSM plugin complexity
Consider: Magic Earth (magic_earth)
Trade OsmAnd’s FOSS/plugin depth for a more consumer-car-oriented UX
When: You need commercial map data, automaker-grade mapping stack, or enterprise map products
Consider: HERE WeGo / HERE platform (here_wego)
Different data licensing and corporate assurance surface than OSM GPLv3 client
When: Primary job is sport-specific outdoor route social planning with device sync
Consider: komoot
komoot is outdoor route community + region unlocks; not a general offline OSM toolkit
When: You want everyday city maps with strong Central European coverage and tourism features
Consider: Mapy.com (mapy_com)
Seznam Maps product family; different UX and commercial model than OsmAnd plugins
- Independent security / no-logs audit·Not found
- ISO 27001·Not found
- SOC 2 / SOC 3·Not found
- GDPR / EU data protection·Vendor claimed
- +3
Considerations & known limitations
- MediumAmazon Cloud and FastSpring (US) on optional paths
Core offline navigation can stay on-device, but Pro Cloud sync names Amazon storage and website purchases use FastSpring (US controller). Orgs with strict no-US-processor policies must avoid Cloud/web checkout paths or get written subprocessor commitments.
- MediumNo public ISO/SOC or B2B DPA
No ISO 27001, SOC 2, or independent audit report found on primary pages. Procurement that requires signed DPA and assurance reports must ask the vendor or choose a certified commercial map stack.
- LowFree map download quota
Free tier limits map downloads (official Android docs: seven). Multi-region travelers typically need Maps+/OsmAnd+ or Pro for unlimited packs and richer layers.
- MediumNon-commercial Terms of Use
Terms license private/personal use and require written consent for commercial integration. GPL store-distribution exception also constrains redistribution of modified store apps.
- LowOSM data completeness varies by region
Map quality depends on OpenStreetMap coverage and contributor activity. Strong in many EU areas; verify critical routes offline before remote travel.
Open questions for due diligence
- Will OsmAnd B.V. sign a B2B DPA and provide a current subprocessor list (regions for Scaleway/Amazon Cloud) for organizational use?
- Exact AWS/Scaleway regions and encryption/key management for OsmAnd Cloud customer data?
- Any ISO 27001, SOC 2, or independent security/privacy audit roadmap?
- Commercial licensing path and support SLA if deploying beyond private non-commercial Terms?
Preguntas Frecuentes
The free app is ad-free with offline navigation but a limited map-download quota (Android purchase docs: seven free downloads). Maps+ (in-app/subscription) or the separate OsmAnd+ paid app unlocks unlimited map downloads, topography packages, offline Wikipedia/Wikivoyage, nautical data, and related paid plugins. OsmAnd Pro is a subscription that adds OsmAnd Cloud backup/sync, hourly Live updates, 3D relief and other Pro-only items, plus cross-platform restore via Cloud. Confirm current packaging on the official purchases docs—retail prices are not listed here.
Controller is OsmAnd B.V. (Amstelveen, NL). Map downloads from OsmAnd servers may send a rotating UUID, IP, and region list for capacity/fair use (disable UUID in app privacy settings; manual installs skip it). OsmAnd Cloud stores account email/token and synced user content on OsmAnd servers plus Scaleway and Amazon per the privacy policy. Website checkout uses FastSpring (US LLC) as payment controller, with possible US/out-of-EU processing under SCCs. App stores handle their own billing. No public full subprocessor register was found; treat transfer risk as partial, not eliminated by Dutch HQ alone.
Yes for core map view and offline routing inside downloaded regions: navigation, re-routing, and many layers work without network. Features that still need connectivity include map downloads/updates, OsmAnd Live hourly updates, online tile layers, Mapillary, weather, Cloud sync, and some online routing options. Offline capability is only as good as the regions you have stored and the update cadence of your plan.
Terms grant a license for private, non-commercial use and require prior written consent for commercial integration or embedding. There is no public enterprise DPA, ISO/SOC package, or fleet admin console found in this research. Individual staff can use OsmAnd personally; for org-mandated commercial deployment, contact OsmAnd for licensing and ask for DPA, subprocessors, and support SLAs—or shortlist commercial map SDKs (e.g. HERE) instead.
Client code is published under GPLv3 with an explicit exception: publishing applications using OsmAnd GPLv3 code to app stores (Google Play, Apple, Huawei, etc.) requires written permission. Visual assets are under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (no commercial use or derivatives of those elements without agreement). F-Droid hosts community builds (OsmAnd~). Read the full LICENSE on GitHub before forking or redistributing.