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Maps & Navigation · head to head

OsmAnd vs Samsara

OsmAnd logo

OsmAnd

Maps & Navigation

Open-source map and navigation application based on OpenStreetMap data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Samsara logo

Samsara

Maps & Navigation

The connected operations cloud

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OsmAnd has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OsmAnd free version limited to only 7 map downloads at once, restricting users who need multiple regional maps; Samsara no price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated
  • They diverge on capability: OsmAnd covers Core Functionality, Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OsmAnd and Samsara actually diverge.

Attributes where OsmAnd and Samsara differ
AttributeOsmAndSamsara
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGalleryWeb, Mobile
Founded20102015

Identical on both: 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 Samsara

  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • AI dash cameras
  • ELD compliance
  • IFTA reporting
  • Driver safety coaching
  • Maintenance scheduling
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Route optimization

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 Samsara
  • Turn-by-turn voice guided drivingnot Samsara
  • Bicycle and pedestrian routingnot Samsara
  • Hiking and trail running navigationnot Samsara
  • Motorcycling and travel using per-country or per-region offline mapsnot Samsara

Samsara

  • Real time GPS tracking of vehicle location and engine healthnot OsmAnd
  • AI dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alertsnot OsmAnd
  • Trailer and powered equipment tracking for asset recoverynot OsmAnd
  • Fleet maintenance planning and fuel usage analysisnot 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

Samsara

  • No price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated
  • Safety, Telematics and Equipment tracking are sold as separate plan families, so a fleet needing all three buys three plans
  • Weather risk visibility and the 30 plus risk detections with context and patterns require Safety Enterprise rather than Safety Premier
  • AI fuel lifecycle insights, TMS integrations and route performance tools require Telematics Enterprise rather than Telematics Premier
  • Proactive maintenance tools and real time diagnostics for trailers and equipment require Advanced Tracking rather than Standard Visibility

Pricing, plan by plan

OsmAnd

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OsmAnd review.

Samsara

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Samsara review.

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.
OsmAnd review

Choose Samsara if

  • You need real-time gps tracking.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want ai dash cameras.
Samsara review

Questions people ask

Is OsmAnd or Samsara better?
Neither clearly leads. OsmAnd starts at Free and Samsara at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OsmAnd or Samsara?
OsmAnd has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OsmAnd and On request for Samsara.
Does OsmAnd or Samsara run on more platforms?
OsmAnd runs on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery. Samsara runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use OsmAnd for free?
Yes. OsmAnd has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Samsara starts at On request.
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 Samsara is typically brought in for.
What can OsmAnd do that Samsara cannot?
OsmAnd covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking, AI dash cameras, ELD compliance, IFTA reporting.

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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