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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Google Maps Platform vs ORBCOMM

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
ORBCOMM logo

ORBCOMM

Maritime & Shipping

IoT solutions for maritime asset tracking

From
$25/month
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; ORBCOMM satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • They diverge on capability: Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and ORBCOMM differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformORBCOMM
Starting priceOn request$25/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebSatellite, Web
CategoryMaps & NavigationMaritime & Shipping
Founded20051995

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in ORBCOMM

  • Satellite tracking
  • Container monitoring
  • Cold chain monitoring
  • Fleet telematics
  • TMS systems
  • ERP platforms
  • Warehouse management
  • Web support

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

ORBCOMM

No use cases recorded yet. See the ORBCOMM review.

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

ORBCOMM

  • Satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • Higher cost per message compared to terrestrial cellular IoT solutions
  • Coverage remains near-global rather than fully global in all remote regions

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

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

ORBCOMM

$25/month
  • Fleet Manager$99/month
    • Real-time tracking
    • Geofencing
    • Reporting

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Google Maps Platform review

Choose ORBCOMM if

  • You need satellite tracking.
  • You work on Satellite, Web.
  • You also want container monitoring.
ORBCOMM review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or ORBCOMM better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and ORBCOMM at $25/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Maps Platform or ORBCOMM?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and ORBCOMM at $25/month.
Does Google Maps Platform or ORBCOMM run on more platforms?
Google Maps Platform runs on Web. ORBCOMM runs on Satellite, Web.
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 ORBCOMM is typically brought in for.
What can Google Maps Platform do that ORBCOMM cannot?
Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface. ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking, Container monitoring, Cold chain monitoring, Fleet telematics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ORBCOMM: What is ORBCOMM's satellite coverage?

ORBCOMM's OGx service provides nearly global coverage across over 160 countries using a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites for two-way messaging and IoT data services.

Source
ORBCOMM: How does satellite IoT compare to cellular connectivity?

ORBCOMM satellite offers immunity from cellular blind spots, network outages, congestion, and weather-related disruptions. However, satellite connectivity introduces approximately 600 milliseconds of round-trip latency.

Source
ORBCOMM: What can ORBCOMM monitor in containers?

ORBCOMM's CT 1010 device provides sensor-based monitoring for container fire detection, unauthorized access alerts, damage detection, and asset visibility, with real-time satellite-based tracking.

Source
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Related pages

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