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Maps · head to head

Geoapify vs OpenRouteService

Geoapify logo

Geoapify

Maps

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

From
Free
Rated
-
OpenRouteService logo

OpenRouteService

Maps

Open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Geoapify does not include detailed location information like photos, reviews, and operating hours from Google Maps; OpenRouteService free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Geoapify and OpenRouteService actually diverge.

Attributes where Geoapify and OpenRouteService differ
AttributeGeoapifyOpenRouteService
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Geoapify

Nothing recorded that OpenRouteService does not also cover.

Only in OpenRouteService

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 OpenRouteService
  • Address validation, geocoding and autocompletenot OpenRouteService
  • Multi-stop route planning and logistics optimisationnot OpenRouteService
  • Points of interest search filtered by category and areanot OpenRouteService
  • Isochrone generation for service coverage analysisnot OpenRouteService

OpenRouteService

  • Directions routing for cars, trucks, bikes, walking, hiking, wheelchairnot Geoapify
  • Reachability analysis with isochrones for time and distance calculationsnot Geoapify
  • Many-to-many distance matrix calculationsnot Geoapify
  • Location geocoding and conversion to coordinatesnot Geoapify
  • Points of interest discovery and mappingnot Geoapify
  • Elevation data enrichment using SRTM satellite datanot Geoapify
  • Vehicle routing problem optimizationnot 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

OpenRouteService

  • Free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • API restrictions exist but details not fully documented on main page
  • Specific pricing tiers and costs not published on primary website

Pricing, plan by plan

Geoapify

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Geoapify review.

OpenRouteService

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenRouteService review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Geoapify if

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

Choose OpenRouteService if

  • You want to start without paying.

Questions people ask

Is Geoapify or OpenRouteService better?
Neither clearly leads. Geoapify starts at Free and OpenRouteService at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Geoapify or OpenRouteService?
Geoapify starts at Free and OpenRouteService at Free.
Does Geoapify or OpenRouteService run on more platforms?
Geoapify runs on Web, API. OpenRouteService runs on Web.
Can I use Geoapify for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 OpenRouteService 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
OpenRouteService: How much does OpenRouteService cost?

OpenRouteService is free to use and open source. The free tier includes up to 500 Isochrones requests per day. Specific pricing for higher usage tiers is not published on the main pricing page.

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
OpenRouteService: Is there a free version of OpenRouteService?

Yes, OpenRouteService is completely free to use and built on open source technology. All services are presented as free to use and based on user-generated and collaboratively collected geographic data from OpenStreetMap.

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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