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Maps · head to head

HERE Technologies vs LocationIQ

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
LocationIQ logo

LocationIQ

Maps

Enterprise-grade location APIs at affordable prices

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; LocationIQ smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HERE Technologies and LocationIQ differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesLocationIQ
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformAPI
Founded1985Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 LocationIQ does not also cover.

Only in LocationIQ

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

LocationIQ

  • Geocoding and reverse geocoding addresses at scalenot HERE Technologies
  • Store locators and address autofill in web and mobile appsnot HERE Technologies
  • Asset and vehicle tracking with route optimisationnot HERE Technologies
  • Serving static and dynamic map tilesnot HERE Technologies
  • Distance matrix and route planningnot 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

LocationIQ

  • Smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps
  • Less documentation than industry-leading platforms
  • Less brand recognition than Google or Mapbox

Pricing, plan by plan

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

LocationIQ

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 5,000 requests/day
    • Limited commercial use with attribution
  • Maps Lite$45/month
    • 10,000 map views/day
    • Geocoding APIs
    • No routing
  • Developer$100/month
    • 25,000 requests/day
    • All APIs (geocoding, routing, maps)
  • Startup$200/month
    • 60,000 requests/day
    • Priority email support

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 LocationIQ if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on API.
LocationIQ review

Questions people ask

Is HERE Technologies or LocationIQ better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies starts at Free and LocationIQ at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HERE Technologies or LocationIQ?
HERE Technologies starts at Free and LocationIQ at Free.
Does HERE Technologies or LocationIQ run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. LocationIQ runs on 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 LocationIQ 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
LocationIQ: How much does LocationIQ cost?

LocationIQ offers a Free plan with 5,000 requests/day, Maps Lite at $45/month for 10,000 map views/day, Developer at $100/month for 25,000 requests/day, and higher tiers up to Business Plus at $950/month for 30M requests/month. All plans are billed monthly with 2 months free for annual prepayment.

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
LocationIQ: Is LocationIQ free?

Yes, LocationIQ offers a free tier with 5,000 requests/day, providing access to geocoding and mapping APIs. Free tier users must include attribution and cannot use for commercial purposes.

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
LocationIQ: What support levels does LocationIQ offer?

Free and early paid tiers receive best-effort email support. The Startup plan ($200/month) includes priority email support. Business Plus ($950/month) includes priority live chat support with dedicated AWS endpoints for improved performance.

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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