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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Google Maps Platform vs Vulcan

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
Vulcan logo

Vulcan

Mining & Resources

Industry-standard 3D mine planning and modeling software

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; Vulcan neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length
  • They diverge on capability: Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, Vulcan covers Geological modeling.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and Vulcan differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformVulcan
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWindows
CategoryMaps & NavigationMining & Resources
Founded20051981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), 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 Vulcan

  • Geological modeling
  • Block modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • Production scheduling
  • Surpac
  • Leapfrog
  • I-Site

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

Vulcan

  • Geological modelling, block modelling and resource estimationnot Google Maps Platform
  • Open pit and underground mine design and schedulingnot Google Maps Platform
  • Grade control and geotechnical analysis at operating minesnot 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

Vulcan

  • Neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length
  • Vulcan is a base product extended by nine paid add on modules covering geology and estimation, open pit design, underground design, scheduling, grade control and geotechnics, so the entry licence does not cover a full workflow
  • Buying requires going through the Maptek store or contacting Maptek directly for a quote

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

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

Vulcan

On request
  • Vulcan Standard$8000/year
    • 3D modeling
    • Mine design
    • Block modeling
  • Vulcan Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced geostatistics
    • Resource estimation
    • Pit optimization
  • Vulcan Enterprise$25000/year
    • All modules
    • Custom solutions
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

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

Choose Vulcan if

  • You need geological modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want block modeling.
Vulcan review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or Vulcan better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and Vulcan 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 Vulcan?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and Vulcan at On request.
Does Google Maps Platform or Vulcan run on more platforms?
Google Maps Platform runs on Web. Vulcan runs on Windows.
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 Vulcan is typically brought in for.
What can Google Maps Platform do that Vulcan cannot?
Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Vulcan covers Geological modeling, Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation.
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