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Software · head to head

IndoorAtlas vs Nominatim

IndoorAtlas logo

IndoorAtlas

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Software

Open-source geocoding tool for OpenStreetMap data, providing address search and reverse geocoding capabilities

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; Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which IndoorAtlas and Nominatim actually diverge.

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

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 IndoorAtlas

Nothing recorded that Nominatim does not also cover.

Only in Nominatim

Nothing recorded that IndoorAtlas 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.

IndoorAtlas

No use cases recorded yet. See the IndoorAtlas review.

Nominatim

  • Geocoding addresses to coordinates from OpenStreetMap datanot IndoorAtlas
  • Reverse geocoding coordinates to a place namenot IndoorAtlas
  • Self hosting a geocoder over an OSM extractnot IndoorAtlas

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

Nominatim

  • The public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second
  • Bulk geocoding must run in a single thread and cannot be distributed across machines
  • Scripts running longer than a day or on a schedule are limited to 4 requests per minute
  • Autocomplete search against the public API is explicitly prohibited
  • Systematic queries such as grid based reverse lookups and complete data downloads are prohibited
  • Reselling geocoding results or acting as an API intermediary is prohibited
  • Every request must send a valid HTTP Referer or User-Agent identifying the application, and default library headers are rejected
  • Results must be cached client side, and repeated identical queries can lead to blocking
  • Attribution to OpenStreetMap under ODbL must be displayed

Pricing, plan by plan

IndoorAtlas

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

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Which should you pick?

Choose IndoorAtlas if

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

Choose Nominatim if

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

Nominatim review

Questions people ask

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