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Vela

github.com/PimpinPumpkin/Vela Maps, Navigation & Weather Open-source projectOpen source

An Android app provides de-Googled maps and turn-by-turn navigation using MapLibre and Overture points of interest.

Visit Vela 16 alternatives
github.com/PimpinPumpkin/Vela
Vela homepage screenshot

About Vela

Vela is an open-source Android app that provides map browsing, place search, and turn-by-turn navigation without Google Play Services or a Google account. The basemap uses open vector tiles from OpenStreetMap and OpenFreeMap. Place data comes from Overture Maps and AllThePlaces, positioned with OpenStreetMap. The app is designed for degoogled phones such as GrapheneOS and also runs on stock Android.

Browsing the map does not contact Google. Search, tapping a place, and requesting a route do send anonymous requests to Google's public web endpoints, which provide hours, reviews, photos, and traffic-aware driving routes. Where Vela has no place data for the area on screen, Google's places are drawn and Google is sent that area. Downloaded regions allow the map, search, routing, and navigation to work without a network connection. The project describes itself as in beta, so bugs are possible.

Key features

  • Map drawn from OpenStreetMap vector tiles with Overture Maps and AllThePlaces place data
  • Turn-by-turn navigation with instructions from the open OSRM and Valhalla routers
  • Offline mode for downloaded regions covering map, search, routing, and navigation
  • Optional anonymous Google lookups for place hours, reviews, and photos
  • Driving routes from Google that account for traffic and closed roads
  • Departure boards for stops from Transitous open transit data, where coverage exists
Best for: Android users who want a map and navigation app without Google Play Services and are willing to accept optional Google lookups for some features.
Good for
  • Has no Google SDK, Play Services dependency, or API key
  • Works offline after a region is downloaded
  • Runs on degoogled phones as well as stock Android
Watch out for
  • Described as in beta, so bugs may occur
  • Driving routes and traffic data come from Google, and traffic is re-requested while driving unless turned off in Settings
  • Where Vela has no place data for an area, that area is sent to Google

Vela at a glance

Type
Open-source project
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Android
Open source
Yes · Source code
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026
open sourceandroidprivacy

Vela alternatives

Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.

All 16 alternatives

OsmAPP

osmapp.org

Based on OpenStreetMap, OsmAPP provides a world map with search, points of interest, and in-app editing.

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Vela FAQ

Does browsing the map send anything to Google?
No. Panning, zooming, and browsing the map send nothing to Google. Map tiles come from OpenFreeMap, and streets and labels come from OpenStreetMap.
Can Vela be used without a network connection?
Yes, after a region is downloaded. Map, search, routing, and turn-by-turn navigation then work with no network. Settings, Privacy, Use Vela without Google also prevents Google requests.
Does Vela back up saved places or history to a server?
The project states that saved places, history, and settings stay on the phone, with no Vela backend and no Vela telemetry.
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Listing maintained by Chris McClure and the WebIndexly editors · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · How we rank