Softwr

Maps · head to head

HERE Technologies vs OpenStreetMap

HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Maps

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenStreetMap logo

OpenStreetMap

Maps

Collaborative project to create a free editable geographic database of the world

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale; OpenStreetMap data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HERE Technologies and OpenStreetMap actually diverge.

Attributes where HERE Technologies and OpenStreetMap differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesOpenStreetMap
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformWeb, API
Founded19852004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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 HERE Technologies

Nothing recorded that OpenStreetMap does not also cover.

Only in OpenStreetMap

Nothing recorded that HERE Technologies 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.

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot OpenStreetMap
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot OpenStreetMap
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot OpenStreetMap
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot OpenStreetMap
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap

  • Supplying map data to websites, mobile apps and hardware devicesnot HERE Technologies
  • Community mapping of roads, trails, cafes and railway stationsnot HERE Technologies
  • Projects that need open map data and can meet the attribution requirementnot HERE Technologies
  • Building on map data where a share-alike licence is acceptablenot HERE Technologies

Where each one falls short

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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

OpenStreetMap

  • Data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage
  • No minimum quality standards enforced, making data prone to errors and inconsistencies
  • Data completeness gaps, especially for minor roads and remote areas
  • Bias toward well-mapped regions with high volunteer activity
  • Positional accuracy concerns with only 70-76% of roads within 5-10 meter tolerance
  • Tag criteria not well-defined leading to logical consistency issues

Pricing, plan by plan

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

OpenStreetMap

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenStreetMap review.

Which should you pick?

Choose HERE Technologies if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
HERE Technologies review

Choose OpenStreetMap if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
OpenStreetMap review

Questions people ask

Is HERE Technologies or OpenStreetMap better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies starts at Free and OpenStreetMap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HERE Technologies or OpenStreetMap?
HERE Technologies starts at Free and OpenStreetMap at Free.
Does HERE Technologies or OpenStreetMap run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. OpenStreetMap runs on Web, API.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HERE Technologies best used for?
HERE Technologies is most often used for map data for automated and assisted driving, connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis, supply chain planning and logistics digital twins, geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location services. Of those, map data for automated and assisted driving and connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis are not what OpenStreetMap is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
OpenStreetMap: Is OpenStreetMap free to use?

Yes, OpenStreetMap is completely free and open-source under the Open Data Commons license. You can download and use map data for any purpose.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
OpenStreetMap: How accurate is OpenStreetMap?

OpenStreetMap accuracy varies by region. In well-mapped areas like developed countries, accuracy is generally high. Only 76% of OSM roads aligned within 10 meters of reference roads, with 70% within 5 meters.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on HERE Technologies

More on OpenStreetMap

Keep looking

Other head to heads