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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Google Maps Platform vs MapQuest

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Maps & Navigation

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

MapQuest

Maps & Navigation

Free driving directions, live traffic updates, and road conditions for trip planning and navigation

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; MapQuest subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and MapQuest differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformMapQuest
Founded2005Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).

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 MapQuest does not also cover.

Only in MapQuest

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

MapQuest

  • Geocoding, routing and static maps over an APInot Google Maps Platform
  • Adding directions and place search to an applicationnot 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

MapQuest

  • Subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand
  • The 50,000 free pay as you go transactions are described as available for a limited time rather than as a standing allowance
  • Plan allowances are monthly and do not carry over
  • Enterprise volume is custom priced

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

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

MapQuest

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapQuest review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

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

Google Maps Platform review

Choose MapQuest if

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

MapQuest review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or MapQuest better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and MapQuest 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 MapQuest?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and MapQuest at On request.
Does Google Maps Platform or MapQuest 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 MapQuest is typically brought in for.
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