General knowledge · Evidence-backed

10 Things You Need to Know About Types of Maps

Modern digital mapping platforms offer a variety of map types and layers, from satellite imagery to specialised cycling and transport views. This guide summarises the key map styles and capabilities provided by Google Maps, Bing Maps, Apple Maps, and OpenStreetMap.

5 minQuality gate 86%Updated 2026-10-09

An overview of map services and their available map layers, imagery, and features based on major providers.

Google Maps provides satellite imagery and roadmap views

Google Maps offers users a choice of map layers including a standard roadmap view and satellite imagery, allowing visualisation of terrain and built environments worldwide.

Sources maps.google.co.uk · maps.google.co.uk · maps.google.comEvidence confidence: 90%

Google Maps displays real-time traffic conditions where available

The service includes live traffic information overlays, helping users assess congestion and plan routes accordingly.

Sources maps.google.co.ukEvidence confidence: 85%

Bing Maps offers satellite, aerial, and 3D imagery

Bing Maps provides multiple imagery types including satellite, aerial, and 3D views, enabling detailed exploration of locations from different perspectives.

Sources bing.comEvidence confidence: 90%

Bing Maps supports transit, walking, and driving directions

The platform includes routing options for public transit, walking, and driving, allowing multi-modal journey planning.

Sources bing.comEvidence confidence: 85%

Apple Maps includes Standard, Hybrid, and Satellite map views

Apple Maps presents three primary base map styles: Standard (vector-based), Hybrid (roads over satellite), and Satellite (photographic imagery).

Sources maps.apple.comEvidence confidence: 90%

Apple Maps integrates privacy controls and terms of service

The service links to Apple's privacy policy, terms of use, and legal attributions, reflecting a focus on user data protection.

Sources maps.apple.comEvidence confidence: 80%

OpenStreetMap is a collaborative, freely licensed world map

OpenStreetMap is created by volunteers and released under an open license, allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute the map data.

Sources openstreetmap.orgEvidence confidence: 95%

OpenStreetMap provides multiple map layers including CyclOSM and Transport Map

The platform offers specialised renderings such as CyclOSM for cyclists, Cycle Map, and Transport Map, catering to different user needs.

Sources openstreetmap.orgEvidence confidence: 90%

OpenStreetMap data can be exported for offline use

Users can export map data in various formats, enabling offline mapping and custom applications under the open license.

Sources openstreetmap.orgEvidence confidence: 85%

Google Maps includes map layers such as roadmap and satellite views

The interface allows switching between a traditional roadmap layer and a satellite imagery layer, providing both schematic and photographic perspectives.

Sources maps.google.co.uk · maps.google.comEvidence confidence: 85%

That is the ten.

Every numbered claim above was required to carry source evidence before this topic could be published.