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Software · head to head

Foursquare Places API vs Mapbox

F

Foursquare Places API

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mapbox logo

Mapbox

Software

Location data platform for mobile and web 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; Mapbox data accuracy varies by region compared to Google Maps' global consistency

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Foursquare Places API and Mapbox differ
AttributeFoursquare Places APIMapbox
FoundedUnknown2010

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

Nothing recorded that Mapbox does not also cover.

Only in Mapbox

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.

Mapbox

  • In-vehicle navigation and automotive infotainmentnot Foursquare Places API
  • Delivery and on-demand logistics routingnot Foursquare Places API
  • Custom map design and hosting through Studio and the Tiling Servicenot Foursquare Places API
  • Geocoding, address validation and autofill in an applicationnot Foursquare Places API
  • Telecom coverage and business intelligence visualisationnot 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

Mapbox

  • Data accuracy varies by region compared to Google Maps' global consistency
  • Real-time traffic data quality inconsistent across different geographic locations
  • Less familiar interface to users accustomed to 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

Mapbox

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapbox 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 Mapbox if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
Mapbox review

Questions people ask

Is Foursquare Places API or Mapbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Foursquare Places API starts at Free and Mapbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Foursquare Places API or Mapbox?
Foursquare Places API starts at Free and Mapbox at Free.
Does Foursquare Places API or Mapbox run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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
Mapbox: What is Mapbox's pricing model?

Mapbox uses usage-based pricing with a free tier supporting 50,000 monthly map loads for web. Beyond that, pricing ranges from $0.50-$5 per 1,000 navigation requests and $0.75-$4 per 1,000 geocoding queries.

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
Mapbox: How does Mapbox compare to Google Maps in pricing?

For moderate to high-volume customers, Mapbox total cost is often 25-50% lower than Google Maps Platform, making it more cost-effective at scale.

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
Mapbox: What are Mapbox's key features?

Mapbox provides global map data, real-time traffic, geocoding and address search, routing and directions, extensive customization options, and strong data visualization tools for developers.

Source
Mapbox: Does Mapbox support offline maps?

Yes. Mapbox allows developers to download offline map tiles, providing offline map viewing and navigation capabilities unlike Google Maps API's restricted offline functionality.

Source
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Related pages

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