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Google Maps Platform vs OSRM

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
O

OSRM

Software

High-performance open-source routing engine designed for OpenStreetMap data, providing fast route calculations

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; OSRM free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and OSRM differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformOSRM
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 OSRM does not also cover.

Only in OSRM

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

OSRM

No use cases recorded yet. See the OSRM 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

OSRM

  • Free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

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

OSRM

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the OSRM review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

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

Google Maps Platform review

Choose OSRM if

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

OSRM review

Questions people ask

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