Maps & Navigation · head to head
OsmAnd vs Citymapper
OsmAnd
Maps & Navigation
Open-source map and navigation application based on OpenStreetMap data
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Citymapper
Maps & Navigation
The ultimate urban mobility app for city commuters
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: OsmAnd free version limited to only 7 map downloads at once, restricting users who need multiple regional maps; 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.
- They diverge on capability: OsmAnd covers Core Functionality, Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OsmAnd and Citymapper actually diverge.
| Attribute | OsmAnd | Citymapper |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery | Ios, Android, Web |
| Founded | 2010 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 OsmAnd
- Core Functionality
- User Interface
Only in Citymapper
- Multi-modal routing
- Real-time departures
- Live bus tracking
- Disruption alerts
- Walking directions
- Uber
- Lyft
- Lime
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
Citymapper
- Daily commutingnot OsmAnd
- City explorationnot OsmAnd
- Trip planningnot OsmAnd
- Mobility as a servicenot OsmAnd
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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.
Pricing, plan by plan
OsmAnd
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the OsmAnd review.
Citymapper
Free- FreeFree
- Multi-modal routing
- Real-time departures
- Basic navigation
- Citymapper Premium$4.99/month
- Live location sharing
- Weather integration
- Widgets
Which should you pick?
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.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is OsmAnd or Citymapper better?
- Neither clearly leads. OsmAnd starts at Free and Citymapper at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, OsmAnd or Citymapper?
- OsmAnd starts at Free and Citymapper at Free.
- Does OsmAnd or Citymapper run on more platforms?
- OsmAnd runs on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery. Citymapper runs on Ios, Android, Web.
- Can I use OsmAnd for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is OsmAnd best used for?
- OsmAnd is most often used for offline navigation in areas with no data connection, turn-by-turn voice guided driving, bicycle and pedestrian routing, hiking and trail running navigation. Of those, offline navigation in areas with no data connection and turn-by-turn voice guided driving are not what Citymapper is typically brought in for.
- What can OsmAnd do that Citymapper cannot?
- OsmAnd covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, Real-time departures, Live bus tracking, Disruption alerts.
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.
SourceOsmAnd: 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.
SourceOsmAnd: 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.
SourceOsmAnd: 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