Google Maps is a type of cellular functions most of us have used at one level. It is widespread for a purpose: it really does what it is purported to, and it is free.
However Google Maps nonetheless comes with a price. The app is infamous for accumulating an amazing quantity of person knowledge, a lot in order that Google has confronted critical strain from regulators world wide to switch it.
The excellent news is, there are different comparable apps that truly respect your privateness and will not compromise your safety. Listed here are 5 options you can check out.
1. OsmAnd
OsmAnd is relatively distinctive, so far as navigation software program goes. For a begin, it is open-source. The app additionally works fully offline, which does not simply save customers from roaming fees when overseas, but additionally ensures higher safety and privateness.
The maps on OsmAnd are usually up to date, whereas the app itself has plenty of helpful options, resembling voice steerage, visitors warnings, re-routing, and extra. It additionally has foot and climbing trails, in addition to biking paths, which is nice for individuals who take pleasure in outside actions.
Crucially, OsmAnd notes in its privacy policy that it doesn’t accumulate personally identifiable knowledge. It does accumulate different kinds of knowledge by default, however the person can simply modify permissions within the settings menu. This alone makes OsmAnd far safer and extra personal than Google Maps.
OsmAnd’s monetization mannequin will not be primarily based on knowledge assortment, so the app has a premium model, or relatively numerous completely different premium variations. Customers have the choice to subscribe on a month-to-month foundation, or make a one-time buy. With that stated, OsmAnd can be used without cost.
Obtain: OsmAnd for iOS | Android (Free, subscription accessible)
2. Sygic Maps
Based in 2004, Sygic is a Slovakian company that makes a speciality of navigation software program. Its merchandise might not be as widespread as Google Maps, however Sygic was really one of many first corporations to supply navigation apps for smartphones.
Sygic supplies numerous navigation options, together with skilled navigation for fleets and vehicles—Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, for instance, use Sygic’s merchandise. However the firm’s cellular app gives loads, together with offline navigation, TripAdvisor suggestions, journey guides, and so forth.
The free model works nice, and one can argue that it’s on no account inferior to Google Maps. Nonetheless, the premium one (primarily based on a subscription mannequin) contains offline 3D maps, velocity digital camera alerts, real-time visitors info, signal recognition, and even issues like info fuel value updates.
Sygic makes it very clear in its privacy policy what kind of information it collects, shops, and shares. And just about all private knowledge it gathers is deleted after a sure time period, starting from three months to a few years.
Obtain: Sygic Maps for iOS | Android (Free, subscription accessible)
3. Apple Maps
It’s a widely-known incontrovertible fact that Apple devices are safer and extra personal than these utilizing the Android working system. The identical could be stated for Apple’s software program merchandise, which accumulate a minuscule quantity of information evaluate to these developed by Google and different tech giants.
That is one of many causes Apple Maps is a much better alternative than Google Maps, in case you care about defending your privateness. In reality, as the corporate states on its official website, Apple Maps solely collects private info “submitted by means of Scores & Photographs or Report an Subject.”
Apple Maps might not be as highly effective as another comparable functions, nevertheless it works simply nice and has glossy, intuitive design. The issue is, in fact, the app is simply accessible on iOS units.
Nonetheless, there may be a simple workaround in case you’re utilizing Android.
If you happen to’re on Android and need to use Apple Maps, all that you must do is entry the DuckDuckGo search engine by means of your browser—DuckDuckGo’s map system is definitely powered by Apple Maps.
Obtain: Apple Maps for iOS (Free)
4. HERE WeGo
If you happen to’re a millennial or older, you positively bear in mind old Nokia phones—everybody owned one within the early 2000s. What most individuals do not know is that Nokia had its personal mapping software program. It went by means of a number of iterations and identify adjustments over time (it was really known as Nokia Maps at one level), and rebranded as HERE Maps in 2012.
In December 2015, Nokia’s HERE was bought to a consortium of German vehicle corporations. Quickly after that, it was rebranded as HERE WeGo. The HERE WeGo app is now accessible on all main play shops, and truly does a reasonably good job getting you from level A to level B.
Extra importantly, HERE WeGo respects person privateness in a manner Google Maps doesn’t. Unsurprisingly, it nonetheless collects some private info, however this may be disabled within the settings menu.
HERE WeGo doesn’t promote or share person knowledge with third-parties with out the person’s express permission, in keeping with its privacy policy. Plus, the app has some attention-grabbing options Google Maps lacks, which makes it an all-around nice alternative.
Obtain: HERE WeGo for iOS | Android (Free)
5. Navmii
Navmii makes use of a mix of synthetic intelligence, crowdsourcing, and open knowledge to generate maps. It’s appropriate for each people and companies, and utilized by corporations resembling Jaguar, Shell, Land Rover, and Philips. Navmii gives completely different options for automotive navigation, truck navigation, and cellular navigation.
Accessible on each iOS and Android platforms, the Navmii app incorporates adverts and includes in-app purchases, which is definitely one thing to remember. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of options can be utilized freed from cost, so this would possibly not be a difficulty for many customers.
By way of knowledge assortment, Navmii is much much less aggressive than Google Maps. As said in its privacy policy, the app collects a restricted quantity of knowledge, largely what customers explicitly comply with share. It does accumulate private knowledge, nevertheless it doesn’t share it with third events, except required to take action by regulation.
It’s doable to opt-out of information assortment, so be sure you try this in case you’re not comfy with Navmii accessing your knowledge. All in all, Navmii is a succesful mapping and navigation app that does not violate person privateness in a serious manner.
Obtain: Navmii for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases accessible)
It is Time to Ditch Google Maps
Google Maps is beneficial, highly effective, correct, and straightforward to make use of. However if you wish to maintain your privateness, it is best to keep away from it. OsmAnd, Sygic Maps, Apple Maps, HERE WeGo, and Navmii might not be excellent, however they’re definitely nice options.
And if you would like to moreover enhance your privateness, take into account downloading different security-focused apps. Whether or not you are utilizing an iPhone or Android machine, they will make an actual distinction.
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