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Maps · head to head

Foursquare Places API vs OpenStreetMap

F

Foursquare Places API

Maps

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenStreetMap logo

OpenStreetMap

Maps

Collaborative project to create a free editable geographic database of the world

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; OpenStreetMap data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Foursquare Places API and OpenStreetMap differ
AttributeFoursquare Places APIOpenStreetMap
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, API
FoundedUnknown2004

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 OpenStreetMap does not also cover.

Only in OpenStreetMap

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.

OpenStreetMap

  • Supplying map data to websites, mobile apps and hardware devicesnot Foursquare Places API
  • Community mapping of roads, trails, cafes and railway stationsnot Foursquare Places API
  • Projects that need open map data and can meet the attribution requirementnot Foursquare Places API
  • Building on map data where a share-alike licence is acceptablenot 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

OpenStreetMap

  • Data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage
  • No minimum quality standards enforced, making data prone to errors and inconsistencies
  • Data completeness gaps, especially for minor roads and remote areas
  • Bias toward well-mapped regions with high volunteer activity
  • Positional accuracy concerns with only 70-76% of roads within 5-10 meter tolerance
  • Tag criteria not well-defined leading to logical consistency issues

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

OpenStreetMap

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenStreetMap 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 OpenStreetMap if

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

Questions people ask

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

Yes, OpenStreetMap is completely free and open-source under the Open Data Commons license. You can download and use map data for any purpose.

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
OpenStreetMap: How accurate is OpenStreetMap?

OpenStreetMap accuracy varies by region. In well-mapped areas like developed countries, accuracy is generally high. Only 76% of OSM roads aligned within 10 meters of reference roads, with 70% within 5 meters.

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
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