The CoMaps project, which develops a fully open community fork of the mobile mapping application Organic Maps, has published the 2025.12.19 release and a project and community status report. The project's code is distributed under the Apache 2.0 license. The application is available in F-Droid, Google Play, and Apple App Store catalogues, as well as directly on Codeberg.
One of the project's priorities has always been community involvement in the decision-making process. The project's name and color scheme were chosen by vote. The logo voting took place in two stages, during which designers of several of the most successful works had the opportunity to refine their logos based on feedback. Since then, the CoMaps community has grown even larger, and active discussions continue on the Codeberg development platform and in Matrix/Telegram.
The first release was launched on June 1, and since then, 12 more versions have followed. Over 1200 pull requests have been accepted with new features, bug fixes, and various enhancements. Among other things, much of the improvements from the Organic Maps project (except for proprietary aspects) have been integrated. More than 30 developers have directly contributed to CoMaps.
Nearly 200 participants have worked on adding and improving translations. CoMaps is available in 50 languages, with plans to increase this number to 80. In addition to developers and translators, there are also volunteers answering questions and publishing information about the project (as demonstrated in this report). Both internal and external documentation on CoMaps processes and usage is being written.
In addition to the main development platform at Codeberg.org, CoMaps' technical infrastructure includes server for regular map generation and several mirrors in different countries for distributing the finished map files. A few weeks ago, a transition to a new powerful server for map generation occurred, reducing generation time from 11 days to about two — making it possible to release updates with fresher maps and, potentially, more frequently. This server was rented thanks to increasing donations to the project.
CoMaps is fully supported by volunteers — from organizational issues and development, to translations into various languages and managing the infrastructure, as well as promotion and communication efforts. You can help the project by testing, submitting patches, leaving reviews in app stores, discussing and refining the interface, graphic design, spreading information about the project, and translations. CoMaps also accepts monetary donations through Open Collective and Liberapay. Full transparency regarding project expenses can also be found on Open Collective (donations through Liberapay are included there as well).
The CoMaps project was founded by former volunteer contributors to Organic Maps who were dissatisfied with the dependency of Organic Maps on the interests of shareholders of the commercial company Organic Maps OÜ, the opacity of the management process, the lack of transparency in the distribution of donations, and the inconsistency with proclaimed open source principles. The fork is developing in accordance with the principles of openness, transparency, and collaboration. The project focuses solely on non-commercial activities and accountability to the community. Key principles of app development: a simple user interface, offline functionality, lightweight design (including energy consumption), no advertising, identity tracking, and data collection.
Among the changes in the CoMaps release 2025.12.19: updating OpenStreetMap map data to the state of December 17, providing the ability to customize server for map downloads, displaying information about outdated maps and adding a button for their updates, changing the scaling button shapes, excluding routing through parking lots when planning routes, and displaying irrigation hydrants on the map.
Source: opennet.ru
