MAPS.ME
MAPS.ME is a consumer mobile app providing free offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation for iOS and Android, serving international travelers across 16 localized language markets with 140M downloads and 60M users, monetizing via in-app hotel booking commissions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersZug, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What MAPS.ME does
MAPS.ME is a consumer mobile application company that provides free, detailed offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation for iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android devices. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, the company serves international travelers and tourists who need reliable navigation in areas with limited or costly internet connectivity, addressing pain points such as roaming data charges and poor coverage abroad. The app is available in 16 localized language versions spanning EMEA, APAC, LATAM, and Greater China, and the company claims a footprint of 60 million users and 140 million downloads worldwide.
The core product is a single mobile application built on OpenStreetMap data that lets users download maps for offline use, navigate via multiple transport modes (driving, walking, cycling, public transit), and access 70 million points of interest. Layered onto the mapping utility are curated travel guides with itineraries and an integrated hotel booking module. Distribution is exclusively through Apple's App Store and Google Play, with a product-led growth motion relying on free access, app store optimization, and organic discovery. Marketing presence is supplemented by social channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X.
MAPS.ME operates a freemium business model in which the core mapping and navigation functionality is provided at no cost. Monetization is concentrated in a single revenue stream: commissions on hotel bookings completed through the in-app booking integration, supplemented indirectly by the free app's role in driving transactions. The company reports a headcount of 11-50 employees, indicating a lean operating model relative to its user base. In 2021, MAPS.ME raised a $50 million funding round led by Alameda Research, with participation from CMS Holdings, GBV Capital, Ryze Labs, and Satori Research, followed by additional rounds in 2021 and early 2022; no operating revenue, ownership structure, or management team details are publicly disclosed in the source material.
MAPS.ME firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MAPS.ME
- Legal name
- MAPS.ME
- Website
- https://maps.me
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MAPS.ME is a consumer mobile app providing free offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation for iOS and Android, serving international travelers across 16 localized language markets with 140M downloads and 60M users, monetizing via in-app hotel booking commissions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MAPS.ME industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Mapping and Navigation Software
- akta.pro primary industry
- Consumer Navigation & Turn-by-Turn Apps (BPAMANAA)
Keywords
Where MAPS.ME is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zug
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
MAPS.ME business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hotel Bookings Commission: Revenue generated through hotel booking transactions made directly on the map interface. Users can book hotels directly from the app, with the company earning a commission on completed bookings.
- App Distribution (Indirect): The free app drives user acquisition for hotel booking services. The core maps functionality is free, with monetization occurring through ancillary services like hotel bookings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free offline maps with hotel booking capabilities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
MAPS.ME product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MAPS.ME provides a free mobile mapping application for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices that delivers detailed offline maps of the world, turn-by-turn navigation across multiple transport modes, hotel booking functionality, and travel guides. The app is powered by OpenStreetMap (OSM.org) data and works without internet connectivity, targeting individual travelers globally. Monetization is driven by commissions on hotel bookings completed within the app.
Product overview
MAPS.ME is a single unified mobile application that provides offline mapping and navigation services. The core offering consists of the MAPS.ME Mobile App, which includes built-in features for offline maps, multi-modal navigation (driving, walking, cycling, transit), search and discovery of points of interest, and travel guides. Additional functionality for hotel bookings is available as an integrated feature within the app. The product is available for iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android platforms, serving travelers who need reliable navigation without requiring internet connectivity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MAPS.ME Mobile App
Companies that use MAPS.ME
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
MAPS.ME technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MAPS.ME partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MAPS.ME competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Google Maps: Dominant global navigation platform offering turn-by-turn directions, POI search, and increasingly capable offline downloads. Competes with MAPS.ME for the same consumer navigation use case but with vastly broader data, reviews, and integration across Android.
- Apple Maps: Pre-installed iOS navigation app with growing offline support, POI data, and Look Around imagery. Directly competes with MAPS.ME on iPhone/iPad and is the default consumer mapping experience Apple pushes to the same traveler demographic.
- TomTom GO Navigation: Established navigation provider offering offline-capable consumer navigation via TomTom GO Mobile, alongside broader map and location services for enterprises. Overlaps with MAPS.ME on offline turn-by-turn navigation and global map coverage.
Direct peers
- OsmAnd: OSM-based offline maps and navigation app available on iOS and Android. Closest open-data competitor to MAPS.ME, offering offline turn-by-turn navigation, hiking/cycling profiles, and a freemium model targeting travelers and outdoor users.
- HERE WeGo: Offline-capable navigation app from HERE Technologies covering driving, walking, cycling, and transit, with integrated booking for taxis and mobility services. Closely comparable to MAPS.ME in offline-first positioning and multi-modal navigation.
- Sygic GPS Navigation: Premium offline turn-by-turn navigation app with offline maps for worldwide use, frequently used by travelers and rideshare drivers. Competes with MAPS.ME on offline navigation quality and paid feature depth.
- Waze: Crowdsourced navigation app focused on driving directions, real-time traffic, and community-reported incidents. Comparable to MAPS.ME as a smartphone-first navigation product for travelers and commuters, though primarily online and driving-focused.
- Citymapper: Urban mobility and public transit navigation app covering major global cities with multimodal routing and live disruption data. Comparable to MAPS.ME's transit/walking navigation features and traveler-focused city use cases.
- Moovit: Urban mobility app providing public transit, bike, and scooter routing across thousands of cities. Comparable to MAPS.ME in serving travelers needing multi-modal city navigation, with stronger transit data depth.
Others
- Maps.me (pre-acquisition context) — Cyclomedia / Booking Holdings investors: Booking Holdings and other OTAs have historically invested in or partnered with mapping platforms to drive accommodation referrals. Relevant as a potential strategic acquirer or partner comparable to MAPS.ME's hotel-booking integration model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
MAPS.ME social profiles
Digital presenceMAPS.ME financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MAPS.ME leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
MAPS.ME funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MAPS.ME M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MAPS.ME
What does MAPS.ME do?
MAPS.ME provides a free mobile mapping application for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices that delivers detailed offline maps of the world, turn-by-turn navigation across multiple transport modes, hotel booking functionality, and travel guides. The app is powered by OpenStreetMap (OSM.org) data and works without internet connectivity, targeting individual travelers globally. Monetization is driven by commissions on hotel bookings completed within the app.
Is MAPS.ME a public or private company?
MAPS.ME is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was MAPS.ME founded?
MAPS.ME was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MAPS.ME based?
MAPS.ME is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does MAPS.ME make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hotel Bookings Commission is the primary driver. The others are app Distribution (Indirect).
Who are MAPS.ME's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Google Maps, Apple Maps and TomTom GO Navigation. Direct peers are OsmAnd, HERE WeGo, Sygic GPS Navigation, Waze, Citymapper and Moovit. Maps.me (pre-acquisition context) — Cyclomedia / Booking Holdings investors is listed as an others.
Does MAPS.ME have an API?
No public API is recorded for MAPS.ME.
What industry is MAPS.ME in?
MAPS.ME's product category is Mobile Mapping and Navigation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAA, Consumer Navigation & Turn-by-Turn Apps.