Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OsmAnd VS Mapserver

Compare OsmAnd VS Mapserver and see what are their differences

OsmAnd logo OsmAnd

Global mobile map viewing and navigation for online and offline OSM maps

Mapserver logo Mapserver

MapServer is an Open Source platform for publishing spatial data and interactive mapping...
  • OsmAnd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-15
  • Mapserver Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-13

OsmAnd features and specs

  • Offline Maps
    OsmAnd allows users to download maps for offline use, making it convenient for navigation in areas without internet connectivity.
  • OpenStreetMap Integration
    The app utilizes OpenStreetMap data, which is community-driven and frequently updated, providing access to a broad range of information.
  • Customizable Interface
    OsmAnd offers a highly customizable interface, allowing users to tailor the app to their specific navigation and mapping needs.
  • Detailed POI Information
    The app includes extensive Points of Interest (POI) information, aiding users in finding essential services and amenities.
  • Privacy Focused
    OsmAnd places a strong emphasis on user privacy, as it does not track user location or sell data to third parties.
  • Versatile Map Viewing Options
    Users can view maps in various modes, including biking, hiking, and driving, tailored for different activities.
  • Regular Updates
    The app receives consistent updates and improvements, ensuring it stays compatible with the latest devices and includes new features.

Possible disadvantages of OsmAnd

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Because of the extensive customization options, new users might find the app difficult to navigate and configure initially.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, such as slow map rendering and lag during navigation, especially on older devices.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of OsmAnd has limited features, and users must purchase the full version or subscription to unlock advanced functionalities.
  • Occasional Data Accuracy Problems
    While OpenStreetMap is frequently updated, it can still contain inaccuracies or outdated information, affecting navigation reliability.
  • Complex Offline Map Management
    Managing offline map data can be cumbersome, as users need to manually download and update specific regions, which can be time-consuming.
  • Battery Consumption
    The app can be quite demanding on battery life, especially during prolonged use of navigation features.

Mapserver features and specs

  • Open Source
    MapServer is an open-source platform, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This makes it accessible for many users and allows for customization according to project needs.
  • Flexibility
    MapServer supports a wide range of raster and vector data formats, providing flexibility in handling various types of geospatial data.
  • Performance
    Designed for high-performance rendering of maps, MapServer is capable of efficiently managing and serving large datasets.
  • Community Support
    MapServer has a robust community of users and developers who contribute to improvements and provide support, enhancing its development and troubleshooting resources.
  • Standards Compliance
    MapServer adheres to OGC standards such as WMS, WFS, and WCS, ensuring interoperability with other GIS systems and applications.

Possible disadvantages of Mapserver

  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of MapServer can be complex and may require extensive knowledge of GIS systems and server management.
  • Limited User Interface
    MapServer primarily functions as an engine for serving maps over the web and does not provide a built-in graphical user interface, which can limit ease of use for non-technical users.
  • Documentation Quality
    While MapServer has extensive documentation, it can sometimes be inconsistent or outdated, making it challenging for new users to find accurate information.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Compared to some other GIS software, MapServer may have a steeper learning curve, particularly for users without prior experience in web mapping.

Analysis of OsmAnd

Overall verdict

  • Overall, OsmAnd is a solid choice for those who require a reliable and highly customizable mapping and navigation solution, especially in scenarios where offline access is crucial.

Why this product is good

  • OsmAnd is considered a good navigation app because it offers offline mapping capabilities, access to high-quality OpenStreetMap data, customizable map views, and features such as routing for driving, cycling, and walking. It is also praised for its ability to add layers and additional plugins, including terrain, contour lines, and hillshades. Furthermore, OsmAnd supports navigation in multiple languages and can be highly personalized to meet different users' needs.

Recommended for

    OsmAnd is recommended for travelers, hikers, cyclists, and those in areas with limited internet connectivity. It's also a good option for users who prefer detailed, customizable maps and need features that go beyond standard navigation, such as offline use and specialized plugins.

OsmAnd videos

OsmAnd Free Offline GPS System App Review

More videos:

  • Review - Best Cycling Navigation Apps (Google Maps vs OsmAnd+)
  • Tutorial - How to download and navigate "generic" GPX tracks with OsmAnd Maps & Navigation

Mapserver videos

2019 - State of MapServer

More videos:

  • Review - Course Preview: Creating Geospatial Maps with MapServer and GDAL
  • Review - MapServer Project Status Report - Meet The Developers!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OsmAnd and Mapserver)
Maps
90 90%
10% 10
Web Mapping
87 87%
13% 13
Mapping And GIS
0 0%
100% 100
Travel & Location
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OsmAnd and Mapserver

OsmAnd Reviews

Going Beyond: The Best Alternatives to Google Maps in 2024
OsmAnd is a map and navigation application that provides detailed offline maps, making it highly useful for travelers in areas with limited internet access. It’s available on both iOS and Android platforms. OsmAnd is known for its emphasis on offline functionality, allowing users to download maps ahead of time.
Source: stratoflow.com
18 Top Google Places API Alternatives for Points of Interest Data in 2022
OsmAnd offers offline maps for any region globally. You can use this to display points of interest around you, as well as display where you are on a map. It’s an open-source software that uses OpenStreetMap data.
Source: traveltime.com
Top 15 Google Maps Alternatives (2024 Edition)
If searching for an offline mobile map or routing tool to schedule delivery routes, the OsmAnd is another excellent Google Maps alternative.
9 Google Maps Alternatives to Use in 2022
OsmAnd is a free Google Maps alternative that enjoys vast popularity amongst users due to the presence of offline maps. These maps are available everywhere, even if you are in a no-internet zone, and help you find your way.
Source: geekflare.com
Top 5 Open-Source Google Maps Alternatives in 2022
OsmAnd is another map application that works online as well as offline. This free navigation software is open source, customizable, and tracks GPS location. OsmAnd is one of the Google Maps alternatives that offers route optimization, helps users indicate paths such as forests, landscapes and etc. In addition, it has text to speech option and comes with night mode options...

Mapserver Reviews

We have no reviews of Mapserver yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OsmAnd seems to be a lot more popular than Mapserver. While we know about 122 links to OsmAnd, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Mapserver. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OsmAnd mentions (122)

  • 25 Google Alternatives every DEV must use in 2025 🤯💥
    OsmAnd (Open Street Map Android client with offline option). - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • The PC Is Dead: It's Time to Make Computing Personal Again
    For the map app, OsmAnd+ is amazing. https://osmand.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Bridges in the US are threaten by truck drivers relying on GPS meant for cars
    > Google maps and Waze does not allow for setting vehicle height As a side note, OsmAnd supports setting vehicle height* and has support for multiple vehicles/routing profiles: https://osmand.net *: and weight, width, and length. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Organic Maps is a free Android and iOS offline maps app for travelers
    How does it compare to OsmAnd? https://osmand.net. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • "I'm in this picture and I don't like it"
    OsmAnd works for me. I am looking to get off Google, so I try to retire anything that is not on F-Droid. OsmAnd is a independent project ( osmand.net ) that uses the data you can also access under www.openstreetmap.org . The App is not perfect and sometimes it calls for the wrong action, for example when a road is just taking a steep turn it might ask for you to turn onto a different road which is actually the... Source: over 1 year ago
View more

Mapserver mentions (3)

  • GIS Developer career path
    If you want to get into web GeoDjango is a popular option for the backend, but you could also learn to roll your own with flask/FastAPI. You also have some choice of JavaScript libraries for the frontend, [Leaflet]() and [OpenLayers]() are likely the most popular frameworks, but there are others (personally I'd recommend OpenLayers as it's the only one backed by OSGeo as far as I know). It also wouldn't hurt to... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Why do I need geoserver?
    GeoServer and MapServer both have full OGC services, WMS, WMTS, WFS, etc. They have caching and tiling. Accessing OGC services through a web server will require an OGC server. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Welcome to the MapServer subreddit!
    Welcome here, fellow MapServer user! 🗺️. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OsmAnd and Mapserver, you can also consider the following products

Google Maps - Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

GeoServer - The reference implementation of the Open Geospatial Consortiums WFS and WMS services, GeoServer is...

OpenStreetMap - OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.

Maptitude - Maptitude is a mapping software that is fitted with GIS features that avail maps and other forms of data regarding the surrounding geographical areas. Read more about Maptitude.

Komoot - Plan Your Perfect Hiking, Mountain Biking or Road Biking Adventure

ArcGIS Pro - Explore ArcGIS Pro resources such as tutorials, videos, documentation, instructor-led classes & more. Find answers, build expertise and connect with the ArcGIS Pro community.