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In which ways (of usage) is OpenStreetMap superior to Google Maps (also Bing Maps and Apple Maps)? What is better or worse about OSM in comparison to "commercial" online maps, like Google, Microsoft Bing, etc.?

asked 11 Dec '16, 18:45

applemano's gravatar image

applemano
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You might want to define what you mean by "OpenStreetMap" in the question. Essentially OSM is just a big pile of data - is that what you mean, or are you referring to a product or service that someone has made with that data?

Also I suspect your question is probably more suited to a mailing list or forum - this help site isn't very good for "What have the Romans ever done for us"-style "homework" questions.

(11 Dec '16, 19:09) SomeoneElse ♦
2

Yes, I mean the "big pile of data"-OSM. This question is not part of any kind of homework or something else, I was just curious. Which forum can you recommend?

(11 Dec '16, 19:35) applemano

10

One fundamental difference would be that it's hard to impossible to get raw data from the mentioned services. Maybe you could extract it using some kind of script or whatever but then it would still be probably breaking their terms of usage and therefore be illegal to use the data.

To add a second point: With OSM data you have a large legal liberty on how to use the data, especially when not mixing OSM data with other data. For details see OpenStreetMap's licence ODbl or maybe ask at the legal-talk mailing list.

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answered 11 Dec '16, 21:45

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skorbut
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Depending on the country (community) OpenStreetMap can have much more detailed and current map data. The difference on the major road network is only marginal (I feel that rerouted or new highways appear faster in OSM than anywhere else, but I might be biased as it's partially me that updates them ;)), but especially for hikers and cyclists I think the commercial map providers hardly anywhere reach the level of detail that you find in OSM (at least here in Europe - it's probably different for countries that don't have mappers on the ground and low res satellite data).

Google Maps is actually completely unusable here in my region for hiking, because it has a lot of paths that never existed or are not passable in it's database, while other important ones are missing. OSM has (almost?) the full network of local hiking routes as well as a lot of other small paths and landmarks. Same goes for cycling, the Google cycling map improved a bit in the last time but it's far from the level of detail on the OpenCycleMap.

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answered 12 Dec '16, 10:13

jot's gravatar image

jot
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edited 12 Dec '16, 10:14

It is great that OpenStreetMap can be used with very few restrictions (see https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright ) or cost (but note http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/API_usage_policy if you are using osm.org's tiles).

I am a hiker and I found that it disappointing that i couldn't easily and legally share most maps and routes because of copyright, with openstreetmap i am allowed to share them. I couldn't legally draw a route on a most maps, then pass it to friends as a photocopy, email it or publish it. I know you can maybe do some of this with Google maps, but most footpaths and trails will be missing. If they are missing from OSM we can walk them, record them as a GPX, and add them to OSM. Because the use of OSM data is free lots of navigation apps for smart phones and Garmins have been created that are free or very low cost without OSM they couldn't exist. Well done OSM!

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answered 12 Dec '16, 08:17

andy%20mackey's gravatar image

andy mackey
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edited 14 Jan '17, 15:40

aseerel4c26's gravatar image

aseerel4c26 ♦
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Hi @andy-mackey, In your second line about copyright issue are you talking about OSM or Google maps?

(12 Dec '16, 09:55) Gagan

Openstreetmap is "open" so you can use it in any way for free. OSM does ask that users credit openstreetmap.

(12 Dec '16, 21:19) andy mackey

I have tried to make the answer a little clearer

(12 Dec '16, 21:25) andy mackey
1

Thank, andy! Just to put it right: "without restriction" is not true. You need to adhere to our data license (if you use the raw data) and the license of the tiles.

(12 Dec '16, 22:15) aseerel4c26 ♦

Thanks aseere4c26. i've added link reference data usage

(14 Jan '17, 08:48) andy mackey

that's true, too. I meant our licenses which, in fact, restrict the usage (although usually not much). I took the liberty and changed your first sentence in your answer to reflect this.

(14 Jan '17, 15:41) aseerel4c26 ♦
showing 5 of 6 show 1 more comments

Its mission to show my/your own neighborhood map by me/you not by mercy of others with their interest to earn money on your information.

As your question is very vague, in practicality it lot depends on your application, effort you can put for part of maps work related to your application and last how much control do you want. These three points are in addition to @skorbut point related to pricing/free data.

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answered 12 Dec '16, 04:21

Gagan's gravatar image

Gagan
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edited 12 Dec '16, 04:31

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question asked: 11 Dec '16, 18:45

question was seen: 4,969 times

last updated: 14 Jan '17, 15:41

NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum