(This is not meant to be a proposal to add this as a PG recommendation, but a general discussion.)
I recently discovered an app called Vela which is an Android maps app that combines data from OpenStreetMaps, Google and others.
So for example the maps themselves comes from OSM, but the traffic info (used for finding the best route), shop reviews and photos, or streetview images comes from Google. It does not require Play Services (unlike Google Maps) and they say there that less data is transferred to Google (e.g. instead of constantly transmitting your location to Google while your drive, it only occasionally checks if the traffic has changed on your route or if another route would now be faster).
Which in my opinion in an interesting approach, because it only uses Google data for those things where Google is clearly superior to 100% FOSS options - e.g. streetview, shop info, live traffic. So it’s a realistic compromise between complete degoogling on the one hand and having access to the best map data on the other hand.
I have played around with it for a bit. It’s still a bit rough around the edges, for example it won’t yet show you the public transport route visually on the map but only tell you instructions “take this train, then that bus”. Though to be fair, for public transport there are many excellent FOSS apps already. I also noticed that the ETAs for driving can differ between Vela and Google Maps, even though Vela supposedly uses the exact same traffic-aware routing as Google.
Also the whole thing appears to be assisted by AI, though I don’t know to what degree. I don’t mind AI per se, but I’d like to avoid apps that are completely vibe-coded. Not sure if this is the case here.
I’ve been testing the app for a few days and, at the moment, it’s quite buggy – there are a few things that aren’t working properly yet. But that’s to be expected; it’s still in its infancy, having only been launched in January 2026. In my opinion, it’s an interesting app to keep a close eye on.
From what I’ve seen, the app is entirely coded by the AI, Claude (as confirmed by the AI).
I’ve used it a few days ago, saw it on reddit. I do agree that some features might cause temptation to use it, but I don’t really see a difference between vela and google maps. CoMaps still is my primary and only choice. And maybe I don’t understand something, but I can’t agree on most takes:
Google pretty much only do not get your account info (since there is no account), which can be achieved with regular google maps app by simply not having a google account on your phone and by deleting ads id . Your precise GPS position -while navigating, anonymous re-routes and the optional live-traffic re-check send your current position; so your location IS constantly transmitted, it is not occasional checks. You can opt out but in this case you aren’t getting live traffic, just an image of life traffic in the moment of planning the route.
Obvious pro is live traffic, it is not important to me tho. I have hopes CoMaps team will implement it sooner or later. Places and reviews can be checked by opening browser version of google maps for example. Or DDG maps. Or GMaps WV is still a thing.
What I liked is flock cameras and reroutes. But at some degree it can be achieved with: ALPR Watch.
I’d say you better use google maps at this point, but without account and by managing your permissions. There are plenty of foss options that are sufficient for most tasks if you are not a truck driver or something.
CoMaps (and Organic Maps) don’t show real-time traffic, so the app is useless; what’s more, they’ve arbitrarily removed the speed camera warnings, which Organic Maps hasn’t done. Vela Maps looks like a more promising option for this in future than CoMaps or even Organic Maps.
No, it’s not useless because it doesn’t have this one feature. I’m using it daily for driving (and hiking), used it to travel to different states and unknown areas, used it in another country, and the only problem I had - couple of restaurants were non-existing anymore. Which is more of a OpenStreetMaps issues, which is fixable by one minute contribution. It might not work for you or suite your needs, which is fine, but saying it’s useless is crazy, since it’s one of two best FOSS options. As you already been answered by @null, I think it’s a matter of time when they or organic maps will implement live-traffic. Speed cameras is legit point though.
Once again, quite arguable point, but if it’s working for you better and suite your worldviews better - I’m no one to tell you not to use it. For me it’s not any better than google maps itself - everything goes back to them anyway.
And to be honest how much live-traffic regular person needs? 90% of people drive same roads and routes throughout their life, you probably already know busy hours in your area. But it's completely different topic and discussion.
I didn’t express myself clearly – CoMaps and Organic Maps aren’t useless; in fact, I use Organic Maps (the CoMaps developers being utter hypocrites) very regularly. I hope real-time traffic data will be introduced soon – that’s pretty much the only thing missing.
Anyway, all this to say that you’re right – I agree with you.
To be this wording is a bit ambiguous but it sounds like, while you are in navigation mode, it will send check traffic every couple of minutes (sending your position to Google), but it won’t be continuously sending your position like the Google Maps app.
For local routes that I do regularly I won’t need navigation at all, but otherwise, living in a big city, traffic info is very important. Sometimes it is faster to do a big detour that’s several km longer but you still arrive earlier because the traffic on the shortest route is so bad. Or a road might be closed somewhere leading to massive traffic jams. Or there’s a big event somewhere and you better avoid driving nearby.
. Your precise GPS position - while navigating, anonymous re-routes and the optional live-traffic re-check send your current position; so your location IS constantly transmitted, it is not occasional checks. You can opt out but in this case you aren’t getting live traffic, just an image of life traffic in the moment of planning the route.