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Maps · head to head

GraphHopper vs PositionStack

GraphHopper logo

GraphHopper

Maps

Open-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PositionStack logo

PositionStack

Maps

Free, developer-friendly geocoding API for forward and reverse geocoding with global coverage

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GraphHopper the free plan is non commercial use only; PositionStack the free plan allows only 100 requests per month
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GraphHopper and PositionStack actually diverge.

Attributes where GraphHopper and PositionStack differ
AttributeGraphHopperPositionStack
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown

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

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 GraphHopper

Nothing recorded that PositionStack does not also cover.

Only in PositionStack

Nothing recorded that GraphHopper 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.

GraphHopper

  • Routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an APInot PositionStack
  • Map matching GPS traces and generating isochronesnot PositionStack

PositionStack

  • Forward geocoding addresses to coordinates via REST APInot GraphHopper
  • Reverse geocoding coordinates to addressesnot GraphHopper
  • Batch geocoding location data in a backend servicenot GraphHopper

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GraphHopper

  • The free plan is non commercial use only
  • Free allows 500 credits a day, 5 locations per request and a single vehicle
  • Request complexity is capped per plan, at 30 locations and 2 vehicles on Basic at 69 EUR a month, rising to 200 locations and 20 vehicles on Premium at 479 EUR
  • Isochrone range is limited by plan, at 15 minutes on Basic and 30 on Premium
  • Credits are a daily allowance, so a busy day cannot draw on a quiet one

PositionStack

  • The free plan allows only 100 requests per month
  • The free plan is a personal licence, so commercial use requires a paid plan
  • The free plan is rate limited, with an extended rate limit only from the Basic plan up
  • Requests beyond the monthly quota are billed as overage, at $0.0003996 per request on Basic
  • The lowest advertised rates require annual prepayment
  • Enterprise volumes are priced by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

GraphHopper

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the GraphHopper review.

PositionStack

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PositionStack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GraphHopper if

Nothing in the data separates GraphHopper from PositionStack on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

GraphHopper review

Choose PositionStack if

Nothing in the data separates PositionStack from GraphHopper on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

PositionStack review

Questions people ask

Is GraphHopper or PositionStack better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphHopper starts at On request and PositionStack at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GraphHopper or PositionStack?
GraphHopper starts at On request and PositionStack at On request.
Does GraphHopper or PositionStack run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is GraphHopper best used for?
GraphHopper is most often used for routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an api, map matching gps traces and generating isochrones. Of those, routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an api and map matching gps traces and generating isochrones are not what PositionStack is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GraphHopper: Is the free plan actually usable for production?

No. The free tier is limited to non-commercial use only and includes 500 daily credits. To use GraphHopper in production, you need a paid plan starting at 69 euros per month.

Source
PositionStack: What annual billing discount does Positionstack offer?

Annual billing provides up to 15% discount compared to monthly billing total. For example, Basic annual is $8.99/month vs $9.99/month monthly, and Professional annual is $43.99/month vs $49.99/month monthly. Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

Source
GraphHopper: What happens if I exceed my daily credit limit?

The page does not specify. Each tier has a daily credit limit (500 for free, 5,000 for Basic, 15,000 for Standard, 50,000 for Premium), but no overage policy is documented.

Source
PositionStack: How do Positionstack overage notifications work?

Positionstack sends alerts at 75%, 90%, and 100% of your monthly request allowance. Overages are calculated at month-end and charged according to each tier's per-request rate (e.g., Business tier: $0.00013332/request). Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

Source
GraphHopper: Does GraphHopper offer a trial period?

No. There is no trial period. You can start with the free plan to test, but commercial use requires a paid subscription.

Source
PositionStack: What payment methods does Positionstack accept?

Positionstack accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Diner's Club for monthly billing. Enterprise customers may arrange bank transfers for their custom agreements. Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

Source
GraphHopper: How much does the Premium plan cost and what do I get?

Premium is 479 euros per month and includes 50,000 daily credits, up to 200 locations per request, up to 20 vehicles, email and phone support, and access to all APIs including routing and optimization.

Source
PositionStack: Can I downgrade or cancel my Positionstack plan?

Downgrades take effect at your billing cycle end. Cancellations require contacting customer service. Uptime guarantee is 99.9% average over 12 months. Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

Source
GraphHopper: Is there a discount if I link back to GraphHopper?

Yes. A 20% discount is available with proper attribution. The page also mentions a 99.5% uptime SLA on paid plans only.

Source
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