Sustainable Substitutes for Google Maps

Google Maps is a web mapping service.

Reasons to avoid Google Maps

Avoid Google Maps due to privacy issues, as it tracks and stores your location history, often for ad targeting and data monetization.

Additionally, ethical concerns arise from Googles role in enabling surveillance and data exploitation. Consider using open-source, privacy-focused map alternatives instead.

Sustainable Alternatives

Here are some sustainable alternatives for Google Maps

OsmAnd

OsmAnd is an open-source navigation app with offline maps and no tracking.

OsmAnd does not require registration, ensuring user anonymity.
OSMAnd works entirely offline, allowing users to download maps and navigate without an internet connection.
OSMAnd is free and open-source software, developed with community involvement.
OSMAnd does not collect user data, ensuring strong privacy protections.
OSMAnd contains no ads, providing a clean and uninterrupted user experience.
OSMAnd is optimised for battery efficiency, extending device life during navigation.
OSMAnd offers a free version with core features, and a paid version with additional options.
OSMAnd is developed by OsmAnd B.V., a company based in the Netherlands, ensuring compliance with European privacy and data protection regulations.
Website

Organic Maps

Organic Maps is a privacy-focused navigation app with no tracking and minimal battery usage.

Organic Maps doesn't require you to create an account.
Organic Maps works entirely offline, allowing users to download maps and navigate without an internet connection.
Organic Maps does not collect personal data or track user locations, ensuring strong privacy protections.
Organic Maps contains no ads, providing a clean and uninterrupted user experience.
Organic Maps is free to use, with no hidden costs or subscriptions.
Organic Maps is optimised for minimal battery usage during navigation, extending device life.
Organic Maps is developed by a community-driven project based in Estonia, ensuring compliance with European privacy laws and GDPR.
Website
here-wego logo

HERE WeGo

HERE WeGo is a Dutch navigation app and a popular competitor to Google Maps.

HERE WeGo does not require registration, ensuring user anonymity.
HERE WeGo allows users to download maps for offline use, enabling navigation without an internet connection.
HERE WeGo is developed by HERE Technologies, a company based in the Netherlands, ensuring compliance with European privacy regulations.
HERE WeGo provides users with control over data sharing and does not require an account for basic navigation features, though some technical and location data is collected for service improvement.
HERE WeGo does not display ads during navigation or map use, offering a clean user interface.
HERE WeGo is free to use for core navigation and map features, with no subscription required.
Website

CoMaps

CoMaps is a community-driven, open-source navigation app that prioritises privacy and offline usability.

CoMaps is open-source and developed by a community-driven project, ensuring transparency and user involvement.
CoMaps does not collect user data or track locations, ensuring strong privacy protections.
CoMaps allows users to download maps for offline use, enabling navigation without an internet connection and avoiding location data to be transmitted through the net.
CoMaps contains no ads, providing a clean and uninterrupted user experience.
CoMaps is free to use, with no hidden costs or subscriptions.
CoMaps is optimised for battery efficiency, reducing device energy consumption during navigation.
CoMaps does not require registration, ensuring user anonymity.
Website

The 5 main issues with Google Maps

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

Google Maps is developed by Google, one of the largest tech companies, contributing to market monopolisation and exploitative data practices. Source: EFF: Google Search Monopoly and Privacy Concerns (2025)

No Carbon Neutrality Goals - No goals for carbon neutrality is a bad sign as it shows lack of commitment to holding crucial thresholds for global climate warming.

Google recently erased its Carbon Neutrality Goals in favour of massively increasing its use of AI in its various products, including Google Maps. Source: Toms Hardware: Google quietly removes net-zero carbon goal from website amid rapid power-hungry AI data center buildout (2025), TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/05/google-maps-bakes-in-gemini-to-improve-navigation-and-hands-free-use/

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

Google Maps collects vast amounts of location data. Google has settled several lawsuits about illegal use of user data, raising significant privacy concerns. ArsTechnica: Google loses in court, faces trial for collecting data on users who opted out (2025), TechCrunch: Google accused of misleading consumers to grab more data for ads (2024),TechCrunch: California hits Google for $93M over deceptive location data options (2023)

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

Google lacks transparency in how user data from Google Maps is used and shared. There are several cases of unlawful usage of user data and deceiving users about their privacy settings. Source: ArsTechnica: Google loses in court, faces trial for collecting data on users who opted out (2025)

Data Monopolies - Control of vast amounts of user data, creating risks for privacy and potential misuse.

Google Maps contributes massively to Google's vast data monopolies, creating risks for user privacy. Source: Heise: Critics see Google ruling as insufficient and have privacy concerns (2025)