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Software · head to head

HERE Technologies vs Windward

HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Windward logo

Windward

Software

AI-powered maritime risk intelligence

From
$3000/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only HERE Technologies has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HERE Technologies and Windward differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesWindward
Starting priceFree$3000/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformWeb, Api
Founded19851996

Identical on both: 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 HERE Technologies

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in Windward

  • AI-powered risk scoring
  • Sanctions compliance
  • Ship-to-ship detection
  • Dark activity alerts
  • Compliance systems
  • Trading platforms
  • Banking systems
  • Web support

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 Windward
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot Windward
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot Windward
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot Windward
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot Windward

Windward

No use cases recorded yet. See the Windward review.

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

Windward

Nothing recorded yet. See the Windward review.

Pricing, plan by plan

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

Windward

$3000/month
  • Professional$7500/month
    • Behavioral analytics
    • Dark activity detection
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose HERE Technologies if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
  • You also want user interface.

Choose Windward if

  • You need ai-powered risk scoring.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want sanctions compliance.

Questions people ask

Is HERE Technologies or Windward better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies starts at Free and Windward at $3000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HERE Technologies or Windward?
HERE Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HERE Technologies and $3000/month for Windward.
Does HERE Technologies or Windward run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. Windward runs on Web, Api.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Yes. HERE Technologies has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Windward starts at $3000/month.
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 Windward is typically brought in for.
What can HERE Technologies do that Windward cannot?
HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring, Sanctions compliance, Ship-to-ship detection, Dark activity alerts.

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
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
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

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