Softwr

Maps · head to head

Foursquare Places API vs Geoapify

F

Foursquare Places API

Maps

Access to the world's most trusted location data, including points of interest

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Geoapify logo

Geoapify

Maps

Geocoding, routing, map tiles, and place search APIs for developers building location-aware applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Foursquare Places API premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option; Geoapify does not include detailed location information like photos, reviews, and operating hours from Google Maps
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Foursquare Places API and Geoapify actually diverge.

Attributes where Foursquare Places API and Geoapify differ
AttributeFoursquare Places APIGeoapify
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, API

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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 Foursquare Places API

Nothing recorded that Geoapify does not also cover.

Only in Geoapify

Nothing recorded that Foursquare Places API 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.

Foursquare Places API

No use cases recorded yet. See the Foursquare Places API review.

Geoapify

  • Custom mapping with Leaflet, MapLibre or OpenLayersnot Foursquare Places API
  • Address validation, geocoding and autocompletenot Foursquare Places API
  • Multi-stop route planning and logistics optimisationnot Foursquare Places API
  • Points of interest search filtered by category and areanot Foursquare Places API
  • Isochrone generation for service coverage analysisnot Foursquare Places API

Where each one falls short

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

Foursquare Places API

  • Premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option
  • Entry-level free tier ($200/month) may be insufficient for high-volume applications
  • Limited real-time update frequency compared to enterprise solutions
  • Requires API key management and developer portal familiarity

Geoapify

  • Does not include detailed location information like photos, reviews, and operating hours from Google Maps
  • Limited daily rate limits enforced per day rather than monthly limits
  • Requires internet connection to access the API, limiting offline functionality
  • OpenStreetMap-based data may have inconsistent coverage in certain regions

Pricing, plan by plan

Foursquare Places API

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • $200 monthly free credits
    • 500 free Pro endpoint calls
    • Access to standard place data
  • Pro Endpoints$0.00375/per call
    • Basic place search
    • Details and photos
  • Premium Endpoints$18.75/per 1000 calls
    • Photos
    • Tips
    • Hours

Geoapify

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Geoapify review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Foursquare Places API if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
Foursquare Places API review

Choose Geoapify if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
Geoapify review

Questions people ask

Is Foursquare Places API or Geoapify better?
Neither clearly leads. Foursquare Places API starts at Free and Geoapify at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Foursquare Places API or Geoapify?
Foursquare Places API starts at Free and Geoapify at Free.
Does Foursquare Places API or Geoapify run on more platforms?
Foursquare Places API runs on Web, iOS, Android. Geoapify runs on Web, API.
Can I use Foursquare Places API for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Foursquare Places API: How much free usage does Foursquare Places API provide?

All developer accounts receive $200 per month in free usage credits. After these are consumed, pay-as-you-go pricing applies. Pro endpoints have 500 free calls monthly, while premium endpoints have no free tier.

Source
Geoapify: What APIs does Geoapify provide?

Geoapify provides six API categories: Maps (vector and raster tiles), Address Search (geocoding and reverse geocoding), Routes (route calculation and optimization), Places (POI search), Reachability and Analysis (isochrone generation), and IP Geolocation.

Source
Foursquare Places API: What data does Foursquare Places API provide?

Foursquare provides a dataset of 100M+ places across 200 countries with 50+ attributes per place, including venue details, categories, hours, ratings, photos, and tips.

Source
Geoapify: What is Geoapify's pricing model?

Geoapify offers a free plan with 3,000 credits per day for low-volume usage and paid plans that scale with needs. The platform uses a credits-based system to measure API request complexity.

Source
Foursquare Places API: What are the pricing tiers for premium endpoints?

Premium endpoints like photos, tips, hours, and ratings cost $18.75 per 1,000 calls with no free tier available. Pricing scales with usage.

Source
Geoapify: Can I cache and redistribute Geoapify results?

Yes, Geoapify emphasizes open-data-based APIs with permissive licensing that allows caching, storing, and redistributing results without vendor lock-in restrictions.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Foursquare Places API

More on Geoapify

Keep looking

Other head to heads