Softwr

Maps · head to head

Foursquare Places API vs HERE Technologies

F

Foursquare Places API

Maps

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Maps

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

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; HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Foursquare Places API and HERE Technologies differ
AttributeFoursquare Places APIHERE Technologies
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platform
FoundedUnknown1985

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 HERE Technologies does not also cover.

Only in HERE Technologies

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.

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot Foursquare Places API
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot Foursquare Places API
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot Foursquare Places API
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot Foursquare Places API
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot 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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

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

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies 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 HERE Technologies if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
HERE Technologies review

Questions people ask

Is Foursquare Places API or HERE Technologies better?
Neither clearly leads. Foursquare Places API starts at Free and HERE Technologies at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Foursquare Places API or HERE Technologies?
Foursquare Places API starts at Free and HERE Technologies at Free.
Does Foursquare Places API or HERE Technologies run on more platforms?
Foursquare Places API runs on Web, iOS, Android. HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
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
HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

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
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

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
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Foursquare Places API

More on HERE Technologies

Keep looking

Other head to heads