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Maps · head to head

Apple Maps vs Bing Maps

Apple Maps logo

Apple Maps

Maps

Web mapping and navigation application developed by Apple Inc

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Bing Maps logo

Bing Maps

Maps

Web mapping services with street maps, aerial imagery, and APIs for developers

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Maps live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions; Bing Maps bing Maps for Enterprise is deprecated and will be retired by 6/30/2025 for free accounts and 6/30/2028 for enterprise accounts
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Maps and Bing Maps actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Maps and Bing Maps differ
AttributeApple MapsBing Maps
PlatformsiOS, macOS, WebWeb
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Maps

Nothing recorded that Bing Maps does not also cover.

Only in Bing Maps

Nothing recorded that Apple Maps does not also cover.

Both cover

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Maps

  • Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigationnot Bing Maps
  • Public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries)not Bing Maps
  • Offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (iOS 17+)not Bing Maps
  • Augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported citiesnot Bing Maps
  • Saving custom hiking/walking routes, including U.S. national park hikes, for offline accessnot Bing Maps

Bing Maps

  • Driving directions and turn-by-turn navigation guidancenot Apple Maps
  • Real-time traffic monitoring and road condition updatesnot Apple Maps
  • Commuter route planning with live traffic intelligencenot Apple Maps

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Maps

  • Live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions
  • Apple Maps for the web is only in public beta, not a full-featured release
  • Feature depth (e.g. immersive walking AR directions, detailed transit) is strongest on newer iPhones/iOS versions, leaving older devices with a reduced experience

Bing Maps

  • Bing Maps for Enterprise is deprecated and will be retired by 6/30/2025 for free accounts and 6/30/2028 for enterprise accounts
  • All implementations must migrate to Azure Maps to avoid service disruption

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Maps

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Apple Maps review.

Bing Maps

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bing Maps review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Maps if

  • You work on iOS, macOS, Web.
Apple Maps review

Choose Bing Maps if

Nothing in the data separates Bing Maps from Apple Maps on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Bing Maps review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Maps or Bing Maps better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Maps starts at On request and Bing Maps at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Maps or Bing Maps?
Apple Maps starts at On request and Bing Maps at On request.
Does Apple Maps or Bing Maps run on more platforms?
Apple Maps runs on iOS, macOS, Web. Bing Maps runs on Web.
What is Apple Maps best used for?
Apple Maps is most often used for turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation, public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries), offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (ios 17+), augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported cities. Of those, turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation and public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries) are not what Bing Maps is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple Maps: Is there a cost to integrate Apple Maps into my app?

The Apple Maps pricing page does not disclose whether MapKit or MapKit JS integration is free or paid. You would need to consult Apple's developer documentation for current pricing and licensing terms.

Source
Bing Maps: What happened to Bing Maps for Enterprise?

Bing Maps for Enterprise is deprecated and will be retired. Free account customers can continue using the service until 6/30/2025, while enterprise account customers can continue until 6/30/2028. Microsoft recommends migrating implementations to Azure Maps to avoid service disruptions.

Source
Apple Maps: What are the usage limits for Apple Maps integration?

The pricing page does not specify any rate limits, monthly minimums, or usage caps for MapKit or MapKit JS. This information is available in Apple's developer documentation.

Source
Bing Maps: When will Bing Maps for Enterprise be discontinued?

Bing Maps for Enterprise retires 6/30/2025 for free accounts and 6/30/2028 for enterprise accounts. All implementations using Bing Maps for Enterprise REST APIs and SDKs must be updated to use Azure Maps before the retirement dates.

Source
Apple Maps: Are there different pricing tiers for MapKit and MapKit JS?

The Apple Maps page mentions MapKit for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS apps, and MapKit JS for websites, but does not provide pricing details or tier information for either option.

Source
Bing Maps: What should I use instead of Bing Maps?

Microsoft is transitioning customers to Azure Maps, which provides consumption-based pricing with volume-based discounts and pay-only-for-what-you-use cost structure. Azure Maps offers all mapping features without throttling.

Source
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