Warm weather and plenty of bank holidays? That can only mean one thing – getting outdoors. Many of us rely on using apps for finding the best-looking routes for sun-kissed hikes and bike rides. Typically, the most-used apps are sat-nav-based, free to start with, but eventually require a paid upgrade as the free version is very limited. Or, they’re free, but share sensitive location and movement data with unknown third parties. Neither option is ideal.
But there are alternatives. Actually, there are many, and these navigation apps also have another important advantage. Even if the apps’ energy consumption cannot be tracked in detail, we can assume that open-source apps have a smaller carbon footprint as data, and therefore energy-intensive advertising and tracking, are eliminated.
So, see what other apps are available before you set off on your next adventure.
Wanderer
Screenshot of a post from wanderer. Whether you’re hiking through remote mountain regions or cycling through the city, with wanderer, a decentralised, self-hosted trail database, you can plan, record and share routes. You also retain full control over your data.
wanderer in detail: wanderer is based on ActivityPub, making it a Fediverse platform that allows you to easily share and exchange route and trail recommendations. You can upload and save routes via GPX tracks and add descriptions and photos. The app is designed as a community, so you can also follow other profiles and interact seamlessly with connected platforms such as Mastodon. And if you’ve been using Komoot or Strava, your routes can be imported directly onto the platform.
Download: Web
Room for improvement? At the moment, the range of routes on offer isn’t as extensive as on other platforms.
OsmAnd
OsmAnd is ideal for pedestrians, hikers and cyclists looking for privacy-friendly offline navigation.
Download: Android, iOS, Web, f-droid
OsmAnd in detail: The OsmAnd navigation app can do everything that Google Maps can, but is a privacy-friendly and open-source alternative. The app is based on OpenStreetMap and is a brilliant all-rounder for getting from A to B. Particularly handy is that once downloaded, all maps work even without a network connection. As the offline maps include footpaths, hiking trails and cycle routes, and also show public transport stops, they are ideal for a range of outdoor activities. You can also record your routes and view elevation profiles, your speed and find drinking water points.
However, the app is only free in its basic version. If you need to download more than seven maps, you’ll need to pay either via a monthly subscription or a one-off payment. That said, if you download the app directly from the privacy-friendly open-source store f droid, these restrictions no longer apply and your download won’t go through a big tech store. The project also rewards contributions from the community and unlocks more features for those who get involved.
Room for improvement? Given the wide range of features, OsmAnd can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming and confusing. Additionally, the address search function isn’t perfect, as it often fails to recognise misspellings, and the app doesn’t always run smoothly on older devices.
CoMaps
CoMaps offers a free, open-source and privacy-friendly navigation service for all modes of transport – developed in collaboration with the community.
Download: Android, iOS, Web
CoMaps in detail: The app is also based on OpenStreetMap and offers virtually all the features found in better-known sat-nav apps. For example, CoMaps includes offline search and route planning, voice-guided navigation, and the ability to create favourites and bookmarks. For offline navigation, you’ll need to download the maps here too; there’s no limit to the number of map downloads. CoMaps also boasts efficient battery usage, meaning the navigation app is designed to consume less energy than other sat-nav apps. This isn’t just useful when you’re on the move with limited battery, but also helps reduce CO2 emissions.
Room for improvement? CoMaps is easier to use than OsmAnd, mainly because the app offers fewer features. For example, if you also go skiing or boating, OsmAnd is a better choice.
Bikerouter
Screenshot of the Bikerouter desktop view showing various settings. Bikerouter is designed for anyone who cycles and is looking for scenic and safe routes. Using the web version and the app, it’s easy to plan your next cycle ride anonymously on your computer and download it as a GPX file.
Download: Web
Bikerouter in detail: Bikerouter offers quick and free route planning without the need to register or create a user account, and can be customised almost endlessly via personal profiles. To find the right route, you can choose between various online maps, such as OpenStreetMap and Esri aerial images. You can also select different profiles depending on the type of bike you’re riding and whether you prefer off-road trails or low-traffic routes. The option to display marked cycle paths and walking routes is also very helpful. This means that, alongside major cycle routes such as the Lake Constance Cycle Route or the Weser Cycle Route, smaller, local cycle paths are also shown, making it easier to plan your route on very suitable cycle paths. For those so inclined, Bikerouter is also pretty good at calculating canoe trips.
For use on the go, you can export your created maps as GPX data and then open them in the OsmAnd app or other navigation apps, for example.
Room for improvement? For some, it may be a bit complicated to plan the route on a desktop first and then export it. In return, however, you get maps with all the important information for cyclists.
A project similar to Bikerouter is gpx.studio.
NodeMapp
Screenshot of the web version of NodeMapp. Instead of relying on GPS, users can simply navigate using the signposted junctions. With NodeMapp, you can plan a cycling route and perhaps even leave your smartphone at home altogether. This is because the app uses junctions that were first installed along cycle paths in Belgium in 1995 and later in Germany, the Netherlands and France. In Germany, however, these junctions are limited to just a few areas.
Download: Android, iOS, Web
NodeMapp in detail: Although the NodeMapp apps themselves are not open source, the route planning is based on OpenStreetMap data. You can then convert your desired route into a list of waypoints completely free of charge. You can then follow these either using the app or on paper. Through subscriptions, you can unlock additional features in NodeMapp such as unlimited route saving, exporting as .gpx files, and extra GPS navigation. In addition to cycle routes, NodeMapp also offers walking routes.
Room for improvement? Unfortunately, there are very few areas in Germany where junction points are available. This is a drawback that the developers, however, cannot remedy.
Support open-source projects
Of course, developing open-source solutions takes a lot of work. Even though you can use all the features for free, please support the projects with a donation or by getting involved, so that we can continue to enjoy so many great solutions in the future.
