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Maps · head to head

Gaia GPS vs GraphHopper

Gaia GPS logo

Gaia GPS

Maps

Premium backcountry navigation for outdoor adventurers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GraphHopper logo

GraphHopper

Maps

Open-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Gaia GPS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Gaia GPS no specific pricing details are published for the Premium tier; GraphHopper the free plan is non commercial use only
  • They diverge on capability: Gaia GPS covers Topo maps, GraphHopper covers Core Functionality.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gaia GPS and GraphHopper actually diverge.

Attributes where Gaia GPS and GraphHopper differ
AttributeGaia GPSGraphHopper
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb
Founded2008Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (freemium), 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 Gaia GPS

  • Topo maps
  • Satellite imagery
  • Offline maps
  • Track recording
  • Waypoint management
  • Garmin inReach
  • Apple Watch
  • Garmin Connect

Only in GraphHopper

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

Gaia GPS

  • Offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travelnot GraphHopper
  • Trail discovery and uploading in remote areasnot GraphHopper
  • 4x4 off-road and overlanding navigationnot GraphHopper
  • Ski touring and backcountry skiing navigationnot GraphHopper

GraphHopper

  • Routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an APInot Gaia GPS
  • Map matching GPS traces and generating isochronesnot Gaia GPS

Where each one falls short

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

Gaia GPS

  • No specific pricing details are published for the Premium tier
  • Pricing information only available through checkout or app interface

GraphHopper

  • The free plan is non commercial use only
  • Free allows 500 credits a day, 5 locations per request and a single vehicle
  • Request complexity is capped per plan, at 30 locations and 2 vehicles on Basic at 69 EUR a month, rising to 200 locations and 20 vehicles on Premium at 479 EUR
  • Isochrone range is limited by plan, at 15 minutes on Basic and 30 on Premium
  • Credits are a daily allowance, so a busy day cannot draw on a quiet one

Pricing, plan by plan

Gaia GPS

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gaia GPS review.

GraphHopper

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the GraphHopper review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Gaia GPS if

  • You need topo maps.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want satellite imagery.
Gaia GPS review

Choose GraphHopper if

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

Questions people ask

Is Gaia GPS or GraphHopper better?
Neither clearly leads. Gaia GPS starts at Free and GraphHopper at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gaia GPS or GraphHopper?
Gaia GPS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Gaia GPS and On request for GraphHopper.
Does Gaia GPS or GraphHopper run on more platforms?
Gaia GPS runs on iOS, Android, Web. GraphHopper runs on Web.
Can I use Gaia GPS for free?
Yes. Gaia GPS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. GraphHopper starts at On request.
What is Gaia GPS best used for?
Gaia GPS is most often used for offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travel, trail discovery and uploading in remote areas, 4x4 off-road and overlanding navigation, ski touring and backcountry skiing navigation. Of those, offline topographic map navigation for hiking and backcountry travel and trail discovery and uploading in remote areas are not what GraphHopper is typically brought in for.
What can Gaia GPS do that GraphHopper cannot?
Gaia GPS covers Topo maps, Satellite imagery, Offline maps, Track recording. GraphHopper covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gaia GPS: Does Gaia GPS offer a free version?

Yes, Gaia GPS Free is available. The service also offers Gaia GPS Premium as a paid tier, but specific pricing details are not disclosed on the website.

Source
GraphHopper: Is the free plan actually usable for production?

No. The free tier is limited to non-commercial use only and includes 500 daily credits. To use GraphHopper in production, you need a paid plan starting at 69 euros per month.

Source
Gaia GPS: How much does Gaia GPS Premium cost?

Gaia GPS Premium is a paid subscription option, but the vendor does not publish specific pricing on their website. Pricing information is available through the app's checkout or registration pages.

Source
GraphHopper: What happens if I exceed my daily credit limit?

The page does not specify. Each tier has a daily credit limit (500 for free, 5,000 for Basic, 15,000 for Standard, 50,000 for Premium), but no overage policy is documented.

Source
GraphHopper: Does GraphHopper offer a trial period?

No. There is no trial period. You can start with the free plan to test, but commercial use requires a paid subscription.

Source
GraphHopper: How much does the Premium plan cost and what do I get?

Premium is 479 euros per month and includes 50,000 daily credits, up to 200 locations per request, up to 20 vehicles, email and phone support, and access to all APIs including routing and optimization.

Source
GraphHopper: Is there a discount if I link back to GraphHopper?

Yes. A 20% discount is available with proper attribution. The page also mentions a 99.5% uptime SLA on paid plans only.

Source
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