Softwr

Software · head to head

Citymapper vs OpenRouteService

Citymapper logo

Citymapper

Software

The ultimate urban mobility app for city commuters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenRouteService logo

OpenRouteService

Software

Open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises

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.; OpenRouteService free tier is limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • They diverge on capability: Citymapper covers Multi-modal routing, OpenRouteService covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Citymapper and OpenRouteService actually diverge.

Attributes where Citymapper and OpenRouteService differ
AttributeCitymapperOpenRouteService
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 OpenRouteService

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

Citymapper

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

OpenRouteService

No use cases recorded yet. See the OpenRouteService review.

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.

OpenRouteService

  • Free tier is limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day

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

OpenRouteService

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenRouteService 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 OpenRouteService if

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

Questions people ask

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

Related pages

More on Citymapper

More on OpenRouteService

Keep looking

Other head to heads