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Maps · head to head

Bing Maps vs OpenLayers

Bing Maps logo

Bing Maps

Maps

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenLayers logo

OpenLayers

Maps

High-performance, feature-packed JavaScript library for creating interactive maps on the web with

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenLayers has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; OpenLayers no commercial support included; community-driven library
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Bing Maps and OpenLayers differ
AttributeBing MapsOpenLayers
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
Free tierNoYes

Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 Bing Maps

Nothing recorded that OpenLayers does not also cover.

Only in OpenLayers

Nothing recorded that Bing 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.

Bing Maps

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

OpenLayers

  • Embedding interactive maps showing store locations on retail websitesnot Bing Maps
  • Visualizing GPS tracking data for delivery routes on web dashboardsnot Bing Maps
  • Creating choropleth maps displaying regional sales performancenot Bing Maps
  • Building mapping interfaces for real estate property searchesnot Bing Maps

Where each one falls short

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

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

OpenLayers

  • No commercial support included; community-driven library

Pricing, plan by plan

Bing Maps

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bing Maps review.

OpenLayers

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenLayers review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Bing Maps if

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

Bing Maps review

Choose OpenLayers if

  • You want to start without paying.
OpenLayers review

Questions people ask

Is Bing Maps or OpenLayers better?
Neither clearly leads. Bing Maps starts at On request and OpenLayers at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bing Maps or OpenLayers?
OpenLayers has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Bing Maps and Free for OpenLayers.
Does Bing Maps or OpenLayers run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OpenLayers for free?
Yes. OpenLayers has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bing Maps starts at On request.
What is Bing Maps best used for?
Bing Maps is most often used for driving directions and turn-by-turn navigation guidance, real-time traffic monitoring and road condition updates, commuter route planning with live traffic intelligence. Of those, driving directions and turn-by-turn navigation guidance and real-time traffic monitoring and road condition updates are not what OpenLayers is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
OpenLayers: How much does OpenLayers cost?

OpenLayers is completely free, open source JavaScript library released under the 2-clause BSD License (FreeBSD License) with no cost for use, modification, or distribution.

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
OpenLayers: What license does OpenLayers use?

OpenLayers is released under the 2-clause BSD License (also known as the FreeBSD License), allowing free use, modification, and distribution.

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
OpenLayers: Can I use OpenLayers commercially?

Yes, OpenLayers is free to use commercially without any licensing fees. The open source license permits commercial use without restriction.

Source
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