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Citymapper vs OsmAnd

Citymapper logo

Citymapper

Software

The ultimate urban mobility app for city commuters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OsmAnd logo

OsmAnd

Software

Open-source map and navigation application based on OpenStreetMap data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Citymapper citymapper's own App Store listing states live transit and turn-by-turn features work only in a named list of specific cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and dozens of other listed cities), not globally, per the developer's own description.; OsmAnd free version limited to only 7 map downloads at once, restricting users who need multiple regional maps
  • They diverge on capability: Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, OsmAnd covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Citymapper and OsmAnd actually diverge.

Attributes where Citymapper and OsmAnd differ
AttributeCitymapperOsmAnd
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsIos, Android, WebiOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery
Founded20112010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Citymapper

  • Multi-modal routing
  • Real-time departures
  • Live bus tracking
  • Disruption alerts
  • Walking directions
  • Uber
  • Lyft
  • Lime

Only in OsmAnd

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Citymapper

  • Daily commutingnot OsmAnd
  • City explorationnot OsmAnd
  • Trip planningnot OsmAnd
  • Mobility as a servicenot OsmAnd

OsmAnd

  • Offline navigation in areas with no data connectionnot Citymapper
  • Turn-by-turn voice guided drivingnot Citymapper
  • Bicycle and pedestrian routingnot Citymapper
  • Hiking and trail running navigationnot Citymapper
  • Motorcycling and travel using per-country or per-region offline mapsnot Citymapper

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Citymapper

  • Citymapper's own App Store listing states live transit and turn-by-turn features work only in a named list of specific cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and dozens of other listed cities), not globally, per the developer's own description.

OsmAnd

  • Free version limited to only 7 map downloads at once, restricting users who need multiple regional maps
  • Poor performance with slow map rendering and navigation lag reported on older devices
  • Route calculation limited to approximately 200 kilometers or less for offline calculation
  • Map accuracy issues due to reliance on community OpenStreetMap data which may contain outdated information

Pricing, plan by plan

Citymapper

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Multi-modal routing
    • Real-time departures
    • Basic navigation
  • Citymapper Premium$4.99/month
    • Live location sharing
    • Weather integration
    • Widgets

OsmAnd

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OsmAnd review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Citymapper if

  • You need multi-modal routing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want real-time departures.
Citymapper review

Choose OsmAnd if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery.
  • You also want user interface.
OsmAnd review

Questions people ask

Is Citymapper or OsmAnd better?
Neither clearly leads. Citymapper starts at Free and OsmAnd at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Citymapper or OsmAnd?
Citymapper starts at Free and OsmAnd at Free.
Does Citymapper or OsmAnd run on more platforms?
Citymapper runs on Ios, Android, Web. OsmAnd runs on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery.
Can I use Citymapper for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Citymapper best used for?
Citymapper is most often used for daily commuting, city exploration, trip planning, mobility as a service. Of those, daily commuting and city exploration are not what OsmAnd is typically brought in for.
What can Citymapper do that OsmAnd cannot?
Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, Real-time departures, Live bus tracking, Disruption alerts. OsmAnd covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OsmAnd: Does OsmAnd work offline?

Yes. OsmAnd works fully offline after downloading maps for specific regions. Route calculation, turn-by-turn navigation, and POI search all work without an internet connection.

Source
OsmAnd: What is OsmAnd's pricing?

OsmAnd Free version is available with limitations including only 7 map downloads allowed at once and no 3D map views. OsmAnd Pro subscription costs 2.99 euros per month or 29.99 euros per year, offering 3D maps, hourly map refreshes, and cloud storage.

Source
OsmAnd: What maps does OsmAnd use?

OsmAnd uses free OpenStreetMap data, which is updated monthly or hourly through OsmAnd Live. Wikipedia POI data is available for sightseeing, and users can add optional online tile map overlays.

Source
OsmAnd: Can I use OsmAnd on iOS and Android?

Yes. OsmAnd is available on both iOS via Apple App Store and Android via Google Play Store, with identical offline functionality on both platforms.

Source
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