OpenStreetMap vs Google Maps: Data Comparison
OpenStreetMap (OSM) and Google Maps are the two largest mapping projects in the world. But their philosophy, data, and capabilities differ fundamentally.
License and Data Access
| Criterion | OpenStreetMap | Google Maps |
|---|---|---|
| License | ODbL (open) | Proprietary |
| Data download | Free, entire planet | Prohibited by ToS |
| Commercial use | Yes (with attribution) | Only via API |
| Export to DWG/SHP/GeoJSON | Yes (osm2cdr.ru) | No |
| Offline access | Yes | Limited |
Coverage and Detail
Google Maps excels in satellite imagery and Street View. But OSM often leads in vector data detail:
- Trails and unpaved roads — OSM has significantly more, especially outside cities.
- Building floors — available in OSM for many cities, absent in Google Maps.
- Fire hydrants, benches, trees — micro-objects present in OSM but missing from Google.
- Boundaries — administrative divisions in OSM are more accurate for many countries.
Updates
OSM is updated by volunteers in real time — edits appear on the map within minutes. Google Maps updates data once every few weeks or months.
Export Capabilities
The main advantage of OSM for professionals is the ability to download data. osm2cdr.ru offers 127 export formats: from DWG for architects to GeoJSON for web developers and STL for 3D printing.
Google Maps does not allow data export — only use through API with limitations and payment.
When to Use What
- Consumer navigation — Google Maps (traffic, transit routes, schedules).
- Design, GIS, analytics — OpenStreetMap (open data, export).
- Building your own maps — OpenStreetMap (no API or ToS restrictions).