OpenStreetMap key facts
Last updated- Legal entity
- OpenStreetMap Foundation
- Headquarters
- Netherlands (NL)
- Ownership
- Part of Independent (Non-profit Foundation)
- Founded
- 2004
- Data hosting
- United Kingdom
- Infrastructure
- Self-hosted (OSMF-owned servers)
- Deployment
- SaaS
- Open source
- No
- US Cloud Act exposure
- Low (no US parent)
- Replaces
- Google Maps Platform, Mapbox, HERE Technologies, Bing Maps API, Apple Maps
About OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative initiative and the world's largest open-source geographic database. It is supported by the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF), a non-profit company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. Unlike proprietary map providers, OSM allows users to freely use, update, and distribute its geospatial data. The project relies on a massive global community of mappers who contribute local knowledge, satellite imagery traces, and GPS logs to maintain an up-to-date representation of the world. The service provides high-quality map data that serves as the backbone for thousands of websites, mobile apps, and hardware devices. Because the data is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL), it offers significant legal flexibility compared to commercial alternatives like Google Maps. While the OSMF maintains the core servers and infrastructure in the UK, the ecosystem is highly decentralized, allowing organizations to host their own map tiles or contribute back to the global database. This makes it a critical piece of digital infrastructure for those seeking to avoid vendor lock-in or restrictive licensing costs.
Alternative to
Target Segments
Deployment Options
Hosting & Security
Self-hosted (OSMF-owned servers)