Software · head to head
Google Maps Platform vs GraphHopper
Google Maps Platform
Software
Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
GraphHopper
Software
Open-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete; GraphHopper the free plan is non commercial use only
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Maps Platform and GraphHopper actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Maps Platform | GraphHopper |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), platforms (Web), 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 Google Maps Platform
Nothing recorded that GraphHopper does not also cover.
Only in GraphHopper
Nothing recorded that Google Maps Platform 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.
Google Maps Platform
- Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot GraphHopper
- Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot GraphHopper
- Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot GraphHopper
- Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot GraphHopper
- Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot GraphHopper
GraphHopper
- Routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an APInot Google Maps Platform
- Map matching GPS traces and generating isochronesnot Google Maps Platform
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Google Maps Platform
- Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
- Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
- Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
- Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
- Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike
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
Google Maps Platform
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.
GraphHopper
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the GraphHopper review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Maps Platform if
Nothing in the data separates Google Maps Platform from GraphHopper on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose GraphHopper if
Nothing in the data separates GraphHopper from Google Maps Platform on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Maps Platform or GraphHopper better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and GraphHopper at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Maps Platform or GraphHopper?
- Google Maps Platform starts at On request and GraphHopper at On request.
- Does Google Maps Platform or GraphHopper run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Google Maps Platform best used for?
- Google Maps Platform is most often used for embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application, route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation, geocoding, place autocomplete and address validation, environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollen. Of those, embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application and route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation are not what GraphHopper is typically brought in for.