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Maps · head to head

Geoapify vs Nominatim

Geoapify logo

Geoapify

Maps

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps

Open-source geocoding tool for OpenStreetMap data, providing address search and reverse geocoding capabilities

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Geoapify has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Geoapify does not include detailed location information like photos, reviews, and operating hours from Google Maps; Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Geoapify and Nominatim actually diverge.

Attributes where Geoapify and Nominatim differ
AttributeGeoapifyNominatim
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb

Identical on both: 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 Geoapify

Nothing recorded that Nominatim does not also cover.

Only in Nominatim

Nothing recorded that Geoapify 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.

Geoapify

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

Nominatim

  • Geocoding and reverse geocoding servicesnot Geoapify
  • Address lookup and location searchnot Geoapify
  • OpenStreetMap-based geolocation datanot Geoapify

Where each one falls short

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

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

Nominatim

  • The public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second
  • Bulk geocoding must run in a single thread and cannot be distributed across machines
  • Scripts running longer than a day or on a schedule are limited to 4 requests per minute
  • Autocomplete search against the public API is explicitly prohibited
  • Systematic queries such as grid based reverse lookups and complete data downloads are prohibited
  • Reselling geocoding results or acting as an API intermediary is prohibited
  • Every request must send a valid HTTP Referer or User-Agent identifying the application, and default library headers are rejected
  • Results must be cached client side, and repeated identical queries can lead to blocking
  • Attribution to OpenStreetMap under ODbL must be displayed

Pricing, plan by plan

Geoapify

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Geoapify review.

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Geoapify if

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

Choose Nominatim if

Nothing in the data separates Nominatim from Geoapify on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Nominatim review

Questions people ask

Is Geoapify or Nominatim better?
Neither clearly leads. Geoapify starts at Free and Nominatim at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Geoapify or Nominatim?
Geoapify has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Geoapify and On request for Nominatim.
Does Geoapify or Nominatim run on more platforms?
Geoapify runs on Web, API. Nominatim runs on Web.
Can I use Geoapify for free?
Yes. Geoapify has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nominatim starts at On request.
What is Geoapify best used for?
Geoapify is most often used for custom mapping with leaflet, maplibre or openlayers, address validation, geocoding and autocomplete, multi-stop route planning and logistics optimisation, points of interest search filtered by category and area. Of those, custom mapping with leaflet, maplibre or openlayers and address validation, geocoding and autocomplete are not what Nominatim is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Nominatim: Is Nominatim free?

Nominatim is open source software built on OpenStreetMap data. It appears to be free to use, though commercial usage may require separate licensing or terms. Check the project repository or contact support for clarity on licensing.

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
Nominatim: What is Nominatim's pricing model?

Nominatim does not publish a standard pricing model on its website. As open source software, it is available for free, but commercial or large-scale deployments may require reviewing their licensing terms or contacting project maintainers.

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
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