If you have used Google Maps until now without a Google account, then you may have noticed that something is off in the past couple of days.
When I launched Google Maps today in Firefox, I immediately noticed that Google was limiting information. Listings did not include user reviews anymore among other things, and Google displayed a disheartening “You’re seeing a limited view of Google Maps” and “Get the most out of Google Maps. Sign In” message at the bottom of each listing I opened.
It appears that Google is limited access for anonymous users. While you can still look up listings, use route planning, and get ads, you won’t get what some what say is the most vital information on Google Maps: user reviews.
Read Also: Google Maps is getting a new feature that you either love or dislike
Five Google Maps Alternatives
While you could sign-in to a Google account to restore full access, some may prefer switching to a different service entirely.
Here are five good alternatives that you could try:
- Organic Maps — Organic Maps is widely considered the “gold standard” for privacy-conscious users. It is a fork of the original Maps.me, created by the original developers who wanted to strip out all the trackers and bloatware.
- Magic Earth — If you miss Google Maps’ real-time traffic alerts and lane guidance, Magic Earth is your best bet. It manages to offer advanced “smart” features while remaining strictly no-profile.
- OsmAnd — OsmAnd is the most feature-dense mapping app available. It’s not just a map; it’s a professional-grade geographic tool.
- Apple Maps — In mid-2024, Apple finally brought Apple Maps to the web (currently in beta). Unlike Google, Apple’s web version actually functions better without a login, as it currently doesn’t even support signing in to an Apple ID on the browser.
- DuckDuckGo Maps — If you are looking for the most seamless “Google Maps-like” experience in a web browser without ever being asked to sign in, DuckDuckGo is the winner. It uses Apple Maps’ MapKit JS framework, giving you high-quality visuals without the data-tracking baggage.
There are also regional apps and maps that sometimes offer better information and services than Google Maps. Kakaomap, for example, is seen as the superior app in almost any area, if you are in Korea.
Now You: do you use a map app or service? Any app that you can recommend?
Two factors that determine my choices and use of map services:
1- Not concerned by apps given I have no smartphone (only a dummy mobile);
2- Not concerned by user reviews, directions.
I’d avoid Google Maps globally should I not appreciate its Street View feature. Yet, Google Maps was slow to display last time I accessed it directly, years ago. Since, I use a service which does call Google Maps servers but displays their maps, satellite maps and Street View in a far more fluid way:
Instant Street View [https://www.instantstreetview.com/]
The “Promenade des Anglais” in Nice, France?: [https://is.gd/3X3SUM] (shortened long url)
My default Map service is:
Openstreetmap [https://www.openstreetmap.org/]
I also occasionally refer to map services using Openstreetmap data:
Facilmap [https://facilmap.org/]
Openpoimap [https://openpoimap.org/] : nice for Points Of Interest, well done.
Other Maps services not tied to Openstreetmap I happen to visit:
Mapy Maps [https://mapy.com/]
Apple Maps [https://maps.apple.com/] : more for the bookmark, having never been fond of it.
Last but not least, French and France only:
Géoportail [https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/]
Géoportail Plan IGN [https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/donnees/plan-ign-v2]
From there on I appreciate Websites that call Openstreetmap rather than Google Maps when mapping is needed. In my experience an increasing number of sites choose this healthy alternative to the omnipotent Google Maps given Google is itself omnipotent, is increasingly as the article’s report of new Google Maps limitations proves it.