Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Magic Earth VS Google Maps

Compare Magic Earth VS Google Maps and see what are their differences

Magic Earth logo Magic Earth

An OpenStreetMap client with routing for iOS and Android

Google Maps logo Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
  • Magic Earth Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-01
  • Google Maps
    Image date //
    2024-01-08

Magic Earth features and specs

  • Data Privacy
    Magic Earth does not track your data, ensuring a higher level of user privacy compared to many other navigation apps that collect user information.
  • Offline Maps
    The app allows users to download maps for offline use, which is extremely useful when traveling in areas with poor or no internet connectivity.
  • Free Features
    Magic Earth provides a wide range of features such as turn-by-turn navigation, traffic updates, and speed camera alerts for free, without requiring a paid subscription.
  • OpenStreetMap Data
    The app relies on OpenStreetMap data, which is frequently updated by a community of contributors, ensuring up-to-date and accurate information.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Magic Earth offers a clean and intuitive user interface that makes it easy for users to navigate the app and access its features.
  • Multi-Platform Availability
    The app is available on both Android and iOS platforms, providing compatibility with a wide range of devices.

Possible disadvantages of Magic Earth

  • Limited Address Search
    The search functionality may not be as robust or accurate as some of the leading navigation apps, making it difficult to find certain addresses or points of interest.
  • Lack of Real-Time Traffic Data
    While the app provides traffic updates, it may not always offer real-time traffic data, which can lead to less accurate routing decisions during high-traffic periods.
  • Smaller User Base
    Magic Earth has a smaller user base compared to giants like Google Maps, which can impact the availability of user-generated content such as reviews and photos.
  • Vehicle-Specific Routing
    The app may not offer comprehensive support for vehicle-specific routing, such as options for trucks or motorcycles, which can be found in some specialized navigation apps.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users have reported occasional bugs or glitches in the app, which can affect the overall user experience and reliability.
  • No Integrated Public Transit
    Magic Earth does not offer integrated public transit options, limiting its usefulness for users who rely on buses, trains, or other forms of public transportation.

Google Maps features and specs

  • Detailed Information
    Google Maps provides extensive details about locations, including photos, reviews, operating hours, and contact information.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform boasts an intuitive design that is easy to navigate for both casual users and professionals.
  • Real-Time Updates
    Offers real-time traffic updates, accident reports, and road closures to help users avoid delays.
  • Multi-modal Directions
    Supports directions for driving, walking, cycling, and public transportation, offering flexibility for different commuting needs.
  • Street View
    Provides 360-degree panoramic views of streets, enabling users to virtually explore neighborhoods before visiting.
  • Offline Maps
    Allows users to download maps for offline use, which is useful in areas with poor or no internet connectivity.
  • Integration with Other Services
    Easily integrates with other Google services like Google Calendar, making it convenient to plan trips and appointments.

Possible disadvantages of Google Maps

  • Privacy Concerns
    The service collects extensive user data, raising privacy issues regarding how this information is used and shared.
  • Battery Consumption
    Real-time features and GPS usage can significantly drain the battery life of mobile devices.
  • Inaccuracies
    Despite frequent updates, some information may be outdated or inaccurate, such as business hours or road conditions.
  • Data Usage
    Uses a considerable amount of data, which can be problematic for users with limited data plans.
  • Overreliance
    Users may become overly dependent on the service for navigation, potentially reducing their ability to navigate without digital assistance.
  • Ad Integration
    Contains sponsored content and ads, which can sometimes disrupt the user experience.
  • Complexity
    Additional features and layers of information can make it overwhelming for users who just need basic navigation.

Magic Earth videos

Magic earth satnav vs Garmin 61

More videos:

  • Demo - Magic Earth Satellite Navigation Demo
  • Review - Magic Earth - Navi App Test | #196

Google Maps videos

New Apple Maps Features That Beat Google Maps!

More videos:

  • Review - Unhelpful Google Maps Reviews - Sub Safari
  • Review - Epic Google Maps Reviews by Local Guides | The Review Review Episode 3

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Magic Earth and Google Maps)
Maps
6 6%
94% 94
Web Mapping
8 8%
92% 92
Travel & Location
13 13%
87% 87
Mapping And GIS
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Magic Earth and Google Maps

Magic Earth Reviews

We have no reviews of Magic Earth yet.
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Google Maps Reviews

Best Tools for Planning a Vacation to Ireland in 2025
Google Maps has been a popular navigation assistant for many years and offers not just driving directions but help finding local restaurants, accommodation and more.
8 Best Alternatives to Google Travel Trip Summaries
If you appreciated the ability to sync Google Trip Summaries with Google Maps, the closing of Trip Summaries doesn’t mean you can no longer sync itineraries to Google Maps. Wanderlog allows you to export any itinerary you create within the app to Google Maps, allowing you to see the location of every attraction you want to visit and gain information on how to travel between...
Source: wanderlog.com
The 8 Best Bike Navigation Apps Ridden & Rated
UX-wise, we’ve given Google Maps a near-perfect nine. The clutter-free layout and recognisable graphics. How would they score a ten? We’d love Google Maps to expand its immersive view (a flyby 3D model of a given route) beyond major cities like London.
Source: loop.cc
The Best Travel Apps for 2025
My number one go-to travel app is Google Maps. On the ground, it shows you where you are and how to get to where you need to go, whether by foot, public transit, car, or bicycle. Google Maps is equally helpful when you want to explore what's around, including hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. Often, the listing for sites and businesses include hours of operation,...
Source: www.pcmag.com
7 Alternatives to Google Maps for Navigation
Google Maps is often the go-to navigation app for many of us. But what if you’re looking for something a little different? There are many alternatives to Google Maps that provide similar features and functions.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Magic Earth seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. 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.

Magic Earth mentions (4)

  • In 2023 Organic Maps got its first million users
    Had the same experience, and ended up being satisfied with Magic Earth[1]. I tried more or less every major navigation service (paid and "free"), and I ended up sticking with it. And no, I'm not affiliated in any way; just wanted to share a recommendation because I was in the same boat. [1]https://magicearth.com. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Does your city have the bicycle route option for Google Maps? Mine doesn’t.
    Don't bother with Google Maps. Not just for cycling but also for driving. There's better options like Osmand or Magic Earth that actually use a map instead of a yellow pages for navigation. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Migrating from iOS, deciding if installing Calyx or Graphene on Pixel 4a
    Try Magic Earth for a Google Maps replacement (you can try it out on your iPhone now and download via Aurora Store on CalyxOS). It’s better than Google Maps in many aspects (except public transport and looking up places, but you can easily use separate apps for that, namely the app/website of your local public transport company and a search engine/Yelp/TripAdvisor). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Google Maps and Google Play Services warning
    If you need live traffic information, Magic Earth might be something for you. Source: over 3 years ago

Google Maps mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Google Maps yet. Tracking of Google Maps recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Magic Earth and Google Maps, you can also consider the following products

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

Mapbox - An open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.

Waze - Waze is the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app. Join other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info, saving everyone time and gas money on their daily commute.

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

HERE WeGo - HERE WeGo - Maps - Routes - Directions - All ways from A to B in one

OSGeo - QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.