Softwr

Software · head to head

Google Maps Platform vs LocationIQ

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LocationIQ logo

LocationIQ

Software

Enterprise-grade location APIs at affordable prices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; LocationIQ smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Maps Platform and LocationIQ actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and LocationIQ differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformLocationIQ
PlatformsWebAPI
Founded2005Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), 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 LocationIQ does not also cover.

Only in LocationIQ

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 LocationIQ
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot LocationIQ
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot LocationIQ
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot LocationIQ
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot LocationIQ

LocationIQ

  • Geocoding and reverse geocoding addresses at scalenot Google Maps Platform
  • Store locators and address autofill in web and mobile appsnot Google Maps Platform
  • Asset and vehicle tracking with route optimisationnot Google Maps Platform
  • Serving static and dynamic map tilesnot Google Maps Platform
  • Distance matrix and route planningnot 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

LocationIQ

  • Smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps
  • Less documentation than industry-leading platforms
  • Less brand recognition than Google or Mapbox

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

LocationIQ

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the LocationIQ review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

Nothing in the data separates Google Maps Platform from LocationIQ on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Google Maps Platform review

Choose LocationIQ if

  • You work on API.
LocationIQ review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or LocationIQ better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and LocationIQ 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 LocationIQ?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and LocationIQ at On request.
Does Google Maps Platform or LocationIQ run on more platforms?
Google Maps Platform runs on Web. LocationIQ runs on API.
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 LocationIQ is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LocationIQ: How much cheaper is LocationIQ than Google Maps?

At 100,000 requests per month, LocationIQ costs $49 whereas Google Maps charges $500 and Mapbox charges $75.

Source
LocationIQ: What is LocationIQ's free tier?

LocationIQ offers a free tier with 5,000 requests per day. Paid plans start at $49/month for the Geocoding Lite plan.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Google Maps Platform

More on LocationIQ

Keep looking

Other head to heads