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Software · head to head

Google Maps Platform vs MapTiler

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

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

From
On request
Rated
-
MapTiler logo

MapTiler

Software

Map hosting, styling, and APIs for developers with beautiful pre-built map styles

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; MapTiler the free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and MapTiler differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformMapTiler
Founded2005Unknown

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 MapTiler does not also cover.

Only in MapTiler

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

MapTiler

  • Serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile applicationnot Google Maps Platform
  • Hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an APInot 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

MapTiler

  • The free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map
  • Free is capped at 5,000 map sessions, 1,000 search sessions and 100,000 API requests a month
  • Free storage is 5 GB but limited to a single file
  • The Flex plan at $30 a month bills overage at $2.50 per 1,000 sessions and $0.15 per 1,000 API requests
  • Soft usage limits that prevent surprise overage bills are a Custom plan feature, so cheaper plans can run up charges
  • A 99.9% SLA requires the prepaid Custom contract

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

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

MapTiler

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapTiler review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

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

Choose MapTiler if

Nothing in the data separates MapTiler 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 MapTiler better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and MapTiler 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 MapTiler?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and MapTiler at On request.
Does Google Maps Platform or MapTiler 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 MapTiler is typically brought in for.

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