OSM Categories
OSM Categories embed an OpenStreetMap map to your page by using the OpenLayer API. For every category in your blog a differnt layer on your map show markers for every article with an geotag. You just have to save the…
Consider an alternative
OSM Categories shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 20+ sites, is rated 4/5 and was last updated 14 years ago, and scores 28/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (20+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 14 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.4 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & supportDaily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where OSM Categories stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| geocache | #3 |
| geocaching | #4 |
| geolocation | >100 |
| geotag | #24 |
| openstreetmap | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 4 from 1 reviews
About OSM Categories
From the official readme · v0.1Description
OSM Categories embed an OpenStreetMap map to your page by using the OpenLayer API. For every category in your blog a differnt layer on your map show markers for every article with an geotag.
You just have to save the lon and lan parameters in a custom field. It’s possible to use different marker images for every category.
In your page just insert the shortcode: [osm-cats]
Open the plugin settings page for basic settings like:
- map dimensions
- map center point
- initial zoom faktor
- exclude categories
- article custom field for marker lon and lat parameters
- marker popup content
- marker images path
It’s still BETA so please send me feedback and your ideas! Thanx a lot.
Installation
Either:
- Search for and install OSM Categories directly through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
Or:
- Download and unzip OSM Categories
- Upload the
osm-categoriesdirectory to the/wp-content/pluginsdirectory - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
Changelog
1.0
- NEW: Include or exclude categories
- NEW: Add Google Baselayers – Terrain, Roadmap, Satellite, Hybrid
- NEW: Show only images with marker in the filename on the settings page
0.2
- FIX: Use marker path from settings
- NEW: Possibility to disable zoom wheel
0.1
- NEW: First release with basic features
Screenshots
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best OSM Categories alternatives
All geocache plugins →| Rank | Plugin | Active installs |
|---|---|---|
| 2 |
gcStats
gcStats plugin to embed some statistics with found geocaches in your blog.
|
10+ |
| 3 |
Geocache Stat Bar
GCSTB StatBar Geocaching
|
10+ |
| 4 |
Geo Tools
Geo tools is a plugin that focuses on GeoCaching utilities such as statistics display and…
|
<10 |
FAQ
OSM Categories: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 30, 2026
Is OSM Categories free?
Yes. OSM Categories is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is OSM Categories safe to use in 2026?
OSM Categories shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 20+ sites, is rated 4/5 and was last updated 14 years ago, and scores 28/100 on our health check.
How many websites use OSM Categories?
OSM Categories is active on 20+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 5,455 times since it launched in August 2012. It was downloaded 181 times in the last 30 days.
Does OSM Categories work with WordPress 7.1?
OSM Categories is officially tested up to WordPress 3.4.2, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
When was OSM Categories last updated?
The latest version, 0.1, was released on August 25, 2012 (14 years ago).
Who makes OSM Categories?
OSM Categories is developed and maintained by Guido Handrick.
What are the best alternatives to OSM Categories?
The most popular alternatives to OSM Categories are gcStats (10+ installs), Geocache Stat Bar (10+ installs) and Geo Tools (<10 installs).
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