Should I use Potlatch or JOSM?

The significant differences between the two editors are:

• JOSM is largely "modal": Potlatch is largely "modeless". In JOSM, you select a different tool for each operation, whereas in Potlatch you'll use different mouse actions.
• JOSM works offline; Potlatch works online. This means that JOSM can access files on your local hard disc, enabling features such as photo mapping and audio mapping. But on the other hand, Potlatch can be fired up on almost any computer without the need for installation.
• JOSM shows complexity; Potlatch hides it. In JOSM you'll see numerous panels, dialogues, and lists to show you exactly what's happening to the underlying OSM data. By and large Potlatch doesn't do this, and instead aims to represent the data through rendering and GUI elements. Some people like seeing what's going on under the hood, others find it confusing.

Besides this, the two editors each have their own distinct feature sets. There are always things that you can do in one editor but not the other. For example, even though JOSM has a vast array of menus and plugins to do many, many things, it's only very recently that it's gained the flexible rendering and the handy "parallelise" function that Potlatch 2 users have always enjoyed. JOSM has always supported WMS background imagery (which Potlatch still doesn't), but Potlatch supported tiled imagery much earlier.

You'll never go wrong by trying both and seeing what you prefer - several people use both tools in different circumstances. However, as a very rough rule of thumb (and a vast over-generalisation), I'd say that JOSM is geekier than Potlatch. If you're a hardcore Linux command line user you should probably go straight to JOSM. If you're a Mac user you'll probably like Potlatch. :)

The difference between the two "big" editors - JOSM and Potlatch 2 - isn't as large as it used to be:

• both now use explicit "uploads", rather than live edits like Potlatch 1
• both support aerial imagery out of the box
• both offer templates (aka "presets") for common map features
• both let you configure how the map data looks
• and both can, of course, add any tags and relations

However, JOSM offers several unique advanced features that are afaik unparalleled in Potlatch 2. This includes:

• support for more mapping styles: audio mapping, photo mapping
• some additional geometry tools
• a powerful search function for complex selections and edits
• the ability to easily install plugins, and configure various aspects of the editor in detail
• reading local map data or GPS tracks
• saving map data without publishing it (yet) - e.g. as a safeguard against crashes, or to create fake data for testing a program

Potlatch 2 can be useful if you need to perform a quick edit on a computer where no JOSM installation is present. JOSM can be used without installation using the "Web Start" feature on josm.openstreetmap.de, but Flash is more likely installed on foreign computers than Java, and Potlatch 2 is clearly optimized for online use.

If you are looking for the editor that offers most functionality, I clearly recommend JOSM. Look into Potlatch 2 if you value a more gentle learning curve or want the easy online access. And don't stop learning once you know how to use your first editor.

Btw, while JOSM and Potlatch (2) are the most popular choices, you might want to see what else the OSM developer community has to offer. Have a look at the wiki's Comparison of editors for some pros/cons of the available editing tools.

JOSM. It's faster as it's run locally. You select an area you want to work on, download the data, work in freedom and then upload your changeset.

You have far more flexibility with what you can do.

Potlatch is useful for the odd edit when you're not near your own computer, and that's about it.

If you were a beginner I would say use potlach2, It is easy to start and no installing is required.so If you have seen something missing, read the documentation,from the link on the map page,and come and join us.

After trying Potlatch, I can do some usefull thing yes. Easy. But some simple task as shifting a road without shifting 'everything' connected to it is impossible. Also it speaks english. Very annoying to map your POI. Is "Ecole maternelle" same as kindergarten.....