Hacker ApprovedDepartments

StreetComplete

Hacker Approved

The most recommended of 4 mapping apps

A free app that turns walks into small OpenStreetMap editing quests, praised as simple and beginner friendly, though quest types are limited and some are hard to skip.

A free app that turns walks into small OpenStreetMap editing quests, praised as simple and beginner friendly, though quest types are limited and some are hard to skip.

113 people gave an opinion

recommend it
93
criticize it
20
approval share
82%
Each figure is one person. RecommendsCriticizes

Recommended in 10 of 13 months

  1. November 2025: not recommended
  2. December 2025: recommended
  3. January 2026: recommended
  4. February 2026: recommended
  5. March 2026: recommended
  6. April 2026: recommended
  7. May 2026: not recommended
  8. June 2026: recommended
  9. July 2026: recommended
  10. August 2026: recommended
  11. September 2026: recommended
  12. October 2026: recommended
  13. November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)

Owned for 2 months

Median of the 3 owners who said how long they have had it.

Each square is one year.

Why it carries the badge

  • 93 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
  • 4.7 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
  • Recommended in 10 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.

The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works

What people say about it

The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.

Why people recommend it

Each mark is one comment

  • Simple, beginner friendly question interface

    “Beginner-friendly editors are https://MapComplete.org (which has thematic maps; disclaimer: I'm the main dev) and https://streetcomplete.app”

    Comment from 26 Aug 2026 in “CoMaps: The Offline App That Guided Rescuers Without a Signal in Venezuela”

    “it's a very fun way to contribute to OpenStreetMap, and the UI is really well-done, it's totally beginner friendly!”

    Comment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

    “It's very intuitive and makes you learn just how detailed and specific map data can be.”

    Comment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”
  • Turns walks into contributions

    “There's something oddly satisfying about turning a boring loop around the block into "wait, does that bin have a lid?"”

    Comment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

    “Splitting stuff into tiny tasks you can focus on really helps if you're just out on foot in an area.”

    Comment from 11 Jun 2026 in “MapComplete – Contibute to OpenStreetMaps”

    “This is a good way to get outside and do challenges like jogging every single street in your town.”

    Comment from 5 Jul 2026 in “Organic Maps”
  • Easy to add details to OSM

    “it makes it incredibly easy to submit additional data, such as opening hours and road types, to OSM.”

    Comment from 23 Jul 2026 in “OpenStreetMap: Admin_level for All Countries”

    “StreetComplete helps both with adding the data in the first place and then keeping is current”

    Comment from 3 Aug 2026 in “Why Book Corners won't sync contributions back to OpenStreetMap”

    “I have found it to be a really seamless and easy way to add extra details to OpenStreetMap”

    Comment from 12 Sep 2026 in “Make your first edit to OpenStreetMap”
  • Works offline with downloaded data

    “StreetComplete editing works also fully offline (if data was downloaded first). It also deals with fairly large amounts of data.”

    Comment from 2 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

    “it's user-friendly. A thoughtful feature is that it lets you download data in a location on wifi”

    Comment from 6 Jul 2026 in “CoMaps – FOSS Offline Maps”

    “it is very useful as you can map when you have no mobile data or it is spotty.”

    Comment from 2 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

What people warn about

Each mark is one comment

  • Limited quest types, no private objects

    “It's pretty restrictive in what they'll allow as 'quests' to avoid overloading new users”

    Comment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

    “because of a decision that StreetComplete doesn't want to ask about private objects”

    Comment from 6 Jul 2026 in “Organic Maps”

    “There is a limit to the type of quest you can fit into the mobile app.”

    Comment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”
  • Hard to skip, dismiss or go back

    “Well for me not even the back gesture works, I just have to force close the app if I don't want to answer a survey”

    Comment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

    “when you click on an item, you HAVE to set the answer, you cannot go back to seeing all the markers”

    Comment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

    “the app seems to be stuck on that quest and I can't figure out how to get back”

    Comment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”
  • Answer choices lack the correct option

    “If you click even one pixel away from the actual text, you get the chooser with not enough options.”

    Comment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

    “the very first question I was given had three choices and none of them were correct”

    Comment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

Other mapping apps people recommend

The three most recommended other mapping apps, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.

StreetComplete compared with 3 alternatives
ProductRecommendCriticizeApprovalMonthsOwnedBadge
StreetCompleteThis page932082%102 mo3 ownersApproved
Google Earth311863%9——
OS9Map9190%1——
Bing Maps5183%4——
See all 4 mapping apps, ranked

What people said

40 of the 142 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.

“With the ease of use of StreetComplete, it really wouldn't take many volunteers in a city to complete all quests.”

RecommendsComment from 20 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete v64.0”

“it is very useful as you can map when you have no mobile data or it is spotty.”

RecommendsComment from 2 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“StreetComplete editing works also fully offline (if data was downloaded first). It also deals with fairly large amounts of data.”

RecommendsComment from 2 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“the app seems to be stuck on that quest and I can't figure out how to get back”

CriticizesComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“StreetComplete is very beginner friendly, and I don't think you can use it to mark a road as prohibiting pedestrians”

RecommendsComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“when you click on an item, you HAVE to set the answer, you cannot go back to seeing all the markers”

CriticizesComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“dismissing a question I don't see an answer for right now easily is the worst”

CriticizesComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“If you click even one pixel away from the actual text, you get the chooser with not enough options.”

CriticizesComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“There is a limit to the type of quest you can fit into the mobile app.”

MixedComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“Its question-based approach makes contributing to OpenStreetMap feel approachable”

RecommendsComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“the very first question I was given had three choices and none of them were correct”

CriticizesComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“I just contributed more to open street map in 5 minute than I have in 15 years.”

RecommendsComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“positively surprised about how quickly they progressed and got the first version shipped”

RecommendsComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“Well for me not even the back gesture works, I just have to force close the app if I don't want to answer a survey”

CriticizesComment from 1 Oct 2026 in “StreetComplete on iOS is now in public beta”

“downloaded StreetComplete yesterday and made a couple edits in my neighborhood”

RecommendsComment from 14 Sep 2026 in “Make your first edit to OpenStreetMap”

“maybe use StreetComplete which essentially asks questions about missing or existing old data”

RecommendsComment from 12 Sep 2026 in “Make your first edit to OpenStreetMap”

“I have found it to be a really seamless and easy way to add extra details to OpenStreetMap”

RecommendsComment from 12 Sep 2026 in “Make your first edit to OpenStreetMap”

“StreetComplete has a but of gamification. Only internal, for you. But still.”

MixedComment from 29 Aug 2026 in “CoMaps integration with the wider FLOSS ecosystem”

“Very satisfying and feels like you're doing something actually useful.”

RecommendsComment from 28 Aug 2026 in “State of the Map 2026”

“Beginner-friendly editors are https://MapComplete.org (which has thematic maps; disclaimer: I'm the main dev) and https://streetcomplete.app”

RecommendsComment from 26 Aug 2026 in “CoMaps: The Offline App That Guided Rescuers Without a Signal in Venezuela”

“StreetComplete helps both with adding the data in the first place and then keeping is current”

RecommendsComment from 3 Aug 2026 in “Why Book Corners won't sync contributions back to OpenStreetMap”

“it makes it incredibly easy to submit additional data, such as opening hours and road types, to OSM.”

RecommendsComment from 23 Jul 2026 in “OpenStreetMap: Admin_level for All Countries”

“I love street complete, it opens up OSM to so many beginners with the simple UX.”

RecommendsComment from 23 Jul 2026 in “OpenStreetMap: Admin_level for All Countries”

“It's pretty restrictive in what they'll allow as 'quests' to avoid overloading new users”

MixedComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“it also feel overwhelming, just around me there are hundreds and hundreds of questions.”

MixedComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“This additional context makes it a lot more useful for editors than an ordinary trace”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“In principle I like it, what I don't like is that some companies will use the data only for their own benefit”

MixedComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“I have over a thousand contributions on StreetComplete (casually using it during walks)”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“There's something oddly satisfying about turning a boring loop around the block into "wait, does that bin have a lid?"”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“Very well built app. Super simple to use. And gamification is top-notch.”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“Every day I take a 2 hour walk and contribute as much data as I can to OSM using this app.”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“StreetComplete lets you place trash cans and benches too (among other things)”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“It's very intuitive and makes you learn just how detailed and specific map data can be.”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“it's a very fun way to contribute to OpenStreetMap, and the UI is really well-done, it's totally beginner friendly!”

RecommendsComment from 7 Jul 2026 in “StreetComplete: Fixing OpenStreetMap, one tiny quest at a time”

“it's user-friendly. A thoughtful feature is that it lets you download data in a location on wifi”

RecommendsComment from 6 Jul 2026 in “CoMaps – FOSS Offline Maps”

“because of a decision that StreetComplete doesn't want to ask about private objects”

MixedComment from 6 Jul 2026 in “Organic Maps”

“This is a good way to get outside and do challenges like jogging every single street in your town.”

RecommendsComment from 5 Jul 2026 in “Organic Maps”

“Splitting stuff into tiny tasks you can focus on really helps if you're just out on foot in an area.”

RecommendsComment from 11 Jun 2026 in “MapComplete – Contibute to OpenStreetMaps”

“nice gamification / simplification of UI that makes editing a breeze”

RecommendsComment from 11 Jun 2026 in “Pokémon Go Scans Trained the Navigation Tech for Military Drones”

“StreetComplete sounds great and looks like a nice way to be able to contribute fixes to OSM.”

RecommendsComment from 12 Dec 2025 in “How Google Maps allocates survival across London's restaurants”

Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.