If you need free, accurate, and up-to-date geographic data, OpenStreetMap (OSM) is one of the best sources out there.
It’s often called the Wikipedia of maps. That’s because it’s built by a global community of contributors who update it every day.
From roads and buildings to public transport and land use — OSM covers it all.
It’s used by GIS professionals, planners, researchers, app developers, and anyone who needs good map data.
And now, you can use OSM directly in Atlas.
Use OSM Instantly Inside Atlas
With Atlas, you don’t have to download or process OSM data yourself.
Just open the OpenStreetMap integration with one click.
It gives you detailed, global coverage — directly in your browser.
You can query:
- Roads and highways
- Buildings
- Parks, rivers, and forests
- Public transport lines
- Points of interest like schools, hospitals, or banks
It’s perfect for quick mapping, analysis, and exploration. No setup required.
Why OpenStreetMap is So Good
It’s Free to Use
You don’t need to worry about:
- Licensing fees
- API limits
- Usage restrictions
Anyone can use OSM. That makes it ideal for startups, researchers, non-profits, and open-source projects.
It’s Always Up to Date
OSM is updated constantly by millions of users around the world.
They map:
- New roads and buildings
- Bike lanes and walking paths
- Bus stops and subway lines
- Parks, rivers, and land use changes
That means the data stays fresh — especially in fast-changing places.
In fact, after natural disasters, OSM is often the first to get updated. Volunteers help add or fix map data fast.
It’s Extremely Detailed
OpenStreetMap goes way beyond just roads.
Here’s a look at what’s available:
| Type of Data | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Roads | Highways, local roads, alleys, roundabouts |
| Buildings | Residential, schools, hospitals, shops |
| Land and Water | Forests, lakes, rivers, beaches, farmland |
| Public Transport | Bus lines, train stations, tram routes, ferry docks |
| Points of Interest | Cafes, banks, police stations, ATMs, gas stations |
This makes it useful for everything from urban planning to logistics.
Work faster with spatial data
Easily import data, automate analysis and build spatial apps for the web, all within a single software.
It Comes in Many Formats
You can use OSM data in the way that fits your workflow.
- GeoJSON for web maps
- Shapefiles (.shp) for GIS tools
- XML and PBF for large data processing
- Raster tiles for quick viewing
In Atlas, you don’t need to download or convert anything. The OSM base layer is ready to go.
Just start exploring.
Developers Can Use OSM Too
If you’re building an app, you can tap into several free APIs.
- Overpass API – Search and extract specific features, like all schools in a city
- Nominatim – Convert addresses to coordinates and vice versa
- Tile servers – Add map tiles to your own app
- Routing engines – Use OSRM or GraphHopper for directions
No need to pay for expensive geodata platforms.
