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Citymapper vs MapTiler

Citymapper logo

Citymapper

Software

The ultimate urban mobility app for city commuters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MapTiler logo

MapTiler

Software

Map hosting, styling, and APIs for developers with beautiful pre-built map styles

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Citymapper has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Citymapper citymapper's own App Store listing states live transit and turn-by-turn features work only in a named list of specific cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and dozens of other listed cities), not globally, per the developer's own description.; MapTiler the free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map
  • They diverge on capability: Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, MapTiler covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Citymapper and MapTiler actually diverge.

Attributes where Citymapper and MapTiler differ
AttributeCitymapperMapTiler
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIos, Android, WebWeb
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (freemium), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Citymapper

  • Multi-modal routing
  • Real-time departures
  • Live bus tracking
  • Disruption alerts
  • Walking directions
  • Uber
  • Lyft
  • Lime

Only in MapTiler

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

Citymapper

  • Daily commutingnot MapTiler
  • City explorationnot MapTiler
  • Trip planningnot MapTiler
  • Mobility as a servicenot MapTiler

MapTiler

  • Serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile applicationnot Citymapper
  • Hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an APInot Citymapper

Where each one falls short

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

Citymapper

  • Citymapper's own App Store listing states live transit and turn-by-turn features work only in a named list of specific cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and dozens of other listed cities), not globally, per the developer's own description.

MapTiler

  • The free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map
  • Free is capped at 5,000 map sessions, 1,000 search sessions and 100,000 API requests a month
  • Free storage is 5 GB but limited to a single file
  • The Flex plan at $30 a month bills overage at $2.50 per 1,000 sessions and $0.15 per 1,000 API requests
  • Soft usage limits that prevent surprise overage bills are a Custom plan feature, so cheaper plans can run up charges
  • A 99.9% SLA requires the prepaid Custom contract

Pricing, plan by plan

Citymapper

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Multi-modal routing
    • Real-time departures
    • Basic navigation
  • Citymapper Premium$4.99/month
    • Live location sharing
    • Weather integration
    • Widgets

MapTiler

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapTiler review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Citymapper if

  • You need multi-modal routing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want real-time departures.
Citymapper review

Choose MapTiler if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
MapTiler review

Questions people ask

Is Citymapper or MapTiler better?
Neither clearly leads. Citymapper starts at Free and MapTiler at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Citymapper or MapTiler?
Citymapper has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Citymapper and On request for MapTiler.
Does Citymapper or MapTiler run on more platforms?
Citymapper runs on Ios, Android, Web. MapTiler runs on Web.
Can I use Citymapper for free?
Yes. Citymapper has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MapTiler starts at On request.
What is Citymapper best used for?
Citymapper is most often used for daily commuting, city exploration, trip planning, mobility as a service. Of those, daily commuting and city exploration are not what MapTiler is typically brought in for.
What can Citymapper do that MapTiler cannot?
Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, Real-time departures, Live bus tracking, Disruption alerts. MapTiler covers Core Functionality, User Interface.
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