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Maps · head to head

LocationIQ vs Nominatim

LocationIQ logo

LocationIQ

Maps

Enterprise-grade location APIs at affordable prices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only LocationIQ has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LocationIQ smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps; Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LocationIQ and Nominatim actually diverge.

Attributes where LocationIQ and Nominatim differ
AttributeLocationIQNominatim
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAPIWeb

Identical on both: 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 LocationIQ

Nothing recorded that Nominatim does not also cover.

Only in Nominatim

Nothing recorded that LocationIQ 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.

LocationIQ

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

Nominatim

  • Geocoding and reverse geocoding servicesnot LocationIQ
  • Address lookup and location searchnot LocationIQ
  • OpenStreetMap-based geolocation datanot LocationIQ

Where each one falls short

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

LocationIQ

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

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

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

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Which should you pick?

Choose LocationIQ if

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

Choose Nominatim if

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

Nominatim review

Questions people ask

Is LocationIQ or Nominatim better?
Neither clearly leads. LocationIQ 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, LocationIQ or Nominatim?
LocationIQ has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for LocationIQ and On request for Nominatim.
Does LocationIQ or Nominatim run on more platforms?
LocationIQ runs on API. Nominatim runs on Web.
Can I use LocationIQ for free?
Yes. LocationIQ has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nominatim starts at On request.
What is LocationIQ best used for?
LocationIQ is most often used for geocoding and reverse geocoding addresses at scale, store locators and address autofill in web and mobile apps, asset and vehicle tracking with route optimisation, serving static and dynamic map tiles. Of those, geocoding and reverse geocoding addresses at scale and store locators and address autofill in web and mobile apps are not what Nominatim is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Nominatim: Is Nominatim free?

Nominatim is open source software built on OpenStreetMap data. It appears to be free to use, though commercial usage may require separate licensing or terms. Check the project repository or contact support for clarity on licensing.

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
Nominatim: What is Nominatim's pricing model?

Nominatim does not publish a standard pricing model on its website. As open source software, it is available for free, but commercial or large-scale deployments may require reviewing their licensing terms or contacting project maintainers.

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
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