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Maps & Navigation · head to head

IndoorAtlas vs Mapzen

IndoorAtlas logo

IndoorAtlas

Maps & Navigation

Indoor positioning and navigation solutions using the Earth's magnetic field, WiFi, and Bluetooth beacons

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mapzen logo

Mapzen

Maps & Navigation

Mapzen was an open-source mapping platform that provided geocoding, routing, and map rendering services

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only IndoorAtlas has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: IndoorAtlas requires labor-intensive fingerprinting process, walking every corridor to build magnetic map for each venue; Mapzen the vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IndoorAtlas and Mapzen actually diverge.

Attributes where IndoorAtlas and Mapzen differ
AttributeIndoorAtlasMapzen
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).

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 IndoorAtlas

Nothing recorded that Mapzen does not also cover.

Only in Mapzen

Nothing recorded that IndoorAtlas does not also cover.

Both cover

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Where each one falls short

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

IndoorAtlas

  • Requires labor-intensive fingerprinting process, walking every corridor to build magnetic map for each venue
  • Magnetic signatures degrade over time, requiring periodic re-fingerprinting as the environment changes
  • Magnetic interference from external sources and devices disrupts positioning accuracy
  • Positioning inconsistent across different smartphone models due to magnetometer heterogeneity
  • High cost to deploy and maintain, with expensive implementation for wide-scale adaptation

Mapzen

  • The vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service

Pricing, plan by plan

IndoorAtlas

Free
  • Development$400/month
    • Free tier available
  • Production$349/month
    • Per-venue subscription
    • Multi-layer sensor fusion

Mapzen

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapzen review.

Which should you pick?

Choose IndoorAtlas if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
IndoorAtlas review

Choose Mapzen if

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

Mapzen review

Questions people ask

Is IndoorAtlas or Mapzen better?
Neither clearly leads. IndoorAtlas starts at Free and Mapzen at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IndoorAtlas or Mapzen?
IndoorAtlas has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for IndoorAtlas and On request for Mapzen.
Does IndoorAtlas or Mapzen run on more platforms?
IndoorAtlas runs on iOS, Android, Web. Mapzen runs on Web.
Can I use IndoorAtlas for free?
Yes. IndoorAtlas has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mapzen starts at On request.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

IndoorAtlas: How does IndoorAtlas determine positioning without beacons or hardware?

IndoorAtlas uses patented geomagnetic fusion technology that maps the Earth's magnetic field patterns inside buildings through a process called magnetic fingerprinting. The technology combines magnetometer data with other sensors like WiFi and Bluetooth for robust positioning.

Source
IndoorAtlas: What is the initial setup process for IndoorAtlas?

Setup requires fingerprinting the venue by systematically walking through all corridors and spaces to build a magnetic map. The platform then identifies problematic areas through red (conflicting data), blue (insufficient coverage), and path orientation errors that require correction before the map is production-ready.

Source
IndoorAtlas: What are IndoorAtlas's pricing plans?

IndoorAtlas offers production subscriptions starting at 349 euros per month per venue, with a development plan at 400 euros per month. A free tier is available for developers to start building.

Source
IndoorAtlas: How accurate is IndoorAtlas positioning?

IndoorAtlas claims industry-leading accuracy down to 50 centimeters using its 6-layer sensor fusion core across diverse environments, though accuracy varies based on building magnetic patterns and requires careful calibration.

Source
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Related pages

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