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Maps & Navigation · head to head

HERE Technologies vs OsmAnd

HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Maps & Navigation

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OsmAnd logo

OsmAnd

Maps & Navigation

Open-source map and navigation application based on OpenStreetMap data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale; OsmAnd free version limited to only 7 map downloads at once, restricting users who need multiple regional maps

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HERE Technologies and OsmAnd actually diverge.

Attributes where HERE Technologies and OsmAnd differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesOsmAnd
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformiOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery
Founded19852010

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

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 HERE Technologies

Nothing recorded that OsmAnd does not also cover.

Only in OsmAnd

Nothing recorded that HERE Technologies does not also cover.

Both cover

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot OsmAnd
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot OsmAnd
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot OsmAnd
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot OsmAnd
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot OsmAnd

OsmAnd

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

Where each one falls short

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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

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

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

OsmAnd

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OsmAnd review.

Which should you pick?

Choose HERE Technologies if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
HERE Technologies review

Choose OsmAnd if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery.
OsmAnd review

Questions people ask

Is HERE Technologies or OsmAnd better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies 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, HERE Technologies or OsmAnd?
HERE Technologies starts at Free and OsmAnd at Free.
Does HERE Technologies or OsmAnd run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. OsmAnd runs on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HERE Technologies best used for?
HERE Technologies is most often used for map data for automated and assisted driving, connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis, supply chain planning and logistics digital twins, geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location services. Of those, map data for automated and assisted driving and connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis are not what OsmAnd is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
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
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

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
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

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
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

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
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
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Related pages

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