Data & attribution

Offroad Pilot runs on open data. The map and the roads behind your route, plus a weather forecast, come from freely available sources, and that is a big part of why the app is free. This page explains which data sits behind your route, and under which licence.

In short: the map data behind your route comes from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, licensed ODbL, share-alike), and the app also shows a weather forecast for your ride. Because we build on open map data instead of a paid map provider, we can keep the app free and account-free.

Why open data?

An off-road route planner needs a map that actually includes the minor and unpaved roads riders care about. Closed, paid map providers often leave those roads out, or only include them for a hefty licence fee. Open data solves both problems: OpenStreetMap is a rich, community-built map that covers the small tracks and back roads well beyond the main tarmac, exactly the kind of map an off-road planner needs.

Open data also keeps the app free. We pay no map licence per user or per map view, so there is no cost we need to recover from you through a subscription or account. No account, no paywall, just planning in your browser. In return we credit the sources properly, which is exactly what these licences ask for.

Which data do we use?

Source	Used for	Licence
OpenStreetMap © OpenStreetMap contributors	The map and the roads behind your route	ODbL (attribution + share-alike)

The app also shows a weather forecast for your route. The licence listed is that of the data source itself; always follow its current terms.

OpenStreetMap: the map and the roads

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a free, volunteer-built map of the world. Every road, path, sand track and forest track you see in Offroad Pilot comes from OSM. The data is available under the Open Database License (ODbL): a licence with attribution and share-alike. Attribution means we must credit OpenStreetMap, which we do in the app and on every guide page with "Map data © OpenStreetMap". Share-alike means that if you publicly use an adapted version of the database, you must also offer that adapted database under ODbL. For displaying the map and planning routes, attribution is the core obligation, and we take it seriously.

What we do with the data

Our page on how it works explains how this data comes together into a route that favours unpaved, and why protected nature and military terrain stay out of your route by default. What we don't do is just as important: no account, and as little data as possible.

Something wrong? Improve the map

Because the map comes from OpenStreetMap, you can help fix errors yourself. See a road or a track that is wrong on the map, or missing altogether? Then the error is usually in the OSM data, and that can be edited. Anyone can contribute to OpenStreetMap. Fix a road or a connection and you improve not just your next route, but everyone's who plans after you.

Tip: if you correct a mistake in OpenStreetMap, that improvement flows through into the app once the update is processed. You make the map better for the whole off-road community.

Terms

OpenStreetMap (OSM): Free, volunteer-built world map. The source of every road and path in the app.
ODbL (Open Database License): Database licence with attribution and share-alike. Requires you to credit OpenStreetMap.
Open data: Data that anyone can use and build on freely. Building on it instead of a paid provider is what keeps the app free and account-free.

See also: how it works and our guides. Ready to plan? Open the route planner.

Plan your unpaved route →