Here are 6 best free Google Maps alternative services.
These mapping services are handy to quickly search a particular location, get directions for a particular place, and enable the satellite view mode. Apart from this, some of these services also provide 360 degree view (say Street View) for most of the locations. Most of these alternatives to Google Maps also come with smartphones apps. You will also be able to check traffic details, get total distance and time to travel to a particular location via different modes of transport, etc. So if you are looking for some good alternatives to Google Maps, these are some good finds. Let’s have a look at these free Google Maps alternative services.
Yahoo Maps
Yahoo Maps is one of the best Google Maps alternative in this list. It covers almost all the features of Google Maps. You can switch to satellite view mode, get directions for places, and can select mode of transport to go to the required place. Public, Driving, and Pedestrian modes are available to choose from.
Its Street Level feature is also very fantastic. You can virtually roam to a particular place, like it is possible with Street View of Google Maps. Options to print and share maps are also available. Probably you won’t have to look for any other Google Maps alternative after using Yahoo Maps.
Here Maps
HERE Maps (launched by Nokia) is a very popular mapping service. It lets you find any global location with ease and also keeps your search history that can come in handy for later use. You can search for places, like Sights & Museums, Transport, Eat & Drink, Shopping etc., and can also mark places to save as collections. However, to mark the places, you need to sign in or create an account.
Here Maps also provides better quality Street Level feature than Google Maps Street View. You can enjoy panoramic view of locations (added so far) using Street level. Rest of the other basic features that must be available in a good mapping service is covered by HERE Maps.
MapQuest
MapQuest is also a handy alternative to Google Maps. What I like personally in MapQuest is that separate options are available to find Travel Services, Local Services, Activities, Lodging, Restaurant & Bars, and Shopping places for a particular location. Address details and phone numbers for shops are also available. Thus, discovering a specific spot gets to be simple using this mapping service. Left side shows the details of shops and right side shows the location of those shops in map.
Other interesting features present are: get live traffic details, enable satellite view, embed map in a webpage, print map, etc. You can also get details about construction work for different areas that makes it more useful. Its iPhone and Android apps are also available to check map and get directions right from your smartphone. Unfortunately, I didn’t find Street View feature in this map. Still, it is worthy to use, and a better alternative to Google Maps.
Bing Maps
Bing Maps is another good alternative to Google Maps. Its Bird’s eye feature works similar to Street View of Google Maps and gives you a better angle to see the places on the map. Apart from this, you can get directions (walking as well as driving) for a particular place, and can also see total time and distance to go to that place.
Bing Maps also lets you mark different locations for later use. You can also print map to generate a hard copy of a particular area map. Other interesting features you can find are: see current traffic, share map with friends, view map in full screen mode, enable mini map, etc.
Wikimapia
Wikimapia provides detailed information and images (added by users) for a particular place. You can also add new places and add information (say Wikipedia link, comments, etc.) to every single place. However, you should sign in first to edit or add new places. Apart from providing its satellite and map view mode, you can also switch to Hybrid, satellite, and Map view of Google, Bing, and Yahoo!. In short, you can customize the map according to your requirement.
This map service stores a strong database of stadiums, hotels, military centers, universities, parks, houses, etc. So you simply need to search a particular location and select the desired category. After this, you can explore address and other details related to a specific shop or center.
Yandex.Maps
Yandex.Maps is also a good online map service that lets you browse any possible location. You can measure distance for a location, enable satellite view, and search for hotels, restaurants, cafe, and museums. Option to get traffic details is also available, but unfortunately, it is not available for most of the locations till now. You will also miss Street view mode which is another disappointing thing. However, it covers all the important features as a map service.
We have also covered Picasa alternatives and TeamViewer alternatives for you.
Conclusion:
This is the end of my best picked Google Maps alternative services list. I would personally choose Yahoo Maps and HERE Maps from this list because these services have all the necessary features, including Street View mode. You can check these map services to find the one that best fits for you.
