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Maps · head to head

LocationIQ vs OpenRouteService

LocationIQ logo

LocationIQ

Maps

Enterprise-grade location APIs at affordable prices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenRouteService logo

OpenRouteService

Maps

Open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LocationIQ smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps; OpenRouteService free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LocationIQ and OpenRouteService actually diverge.

Attributes where LocationIQ and OpenRouteService differ
AttributeLocationIQOpenRouteService
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsAPIWeb

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 LocationIQ

Nothing recorded that OpenRouteService does not also cover.

Only in OpenRouteService

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 OpenRouteService
  • Store locators and address autofill in web and mobile appsnot OpenRouteService
  • Asset and vehicle tracking with route optimisationnot OpenRouteService
  • Serving static and dynamic map tilesnot OpenRouteService
  • Distance matrix and route planningnot OpenRouteService

OpenRouteService

  • Directions routing for cars, trucks, bikes, walking, hiking, wheelchairnot LocationIQ
  • Reachability analysis with isochrones for time and distance calculationsnot LocationIQ
  • Many-to-many distance matrix calculationsnot LocationIQ
  • Location geocoding and conversion to coordinatesnot LocationIQ
  • Points of interest discovery and mappingnot LocationIQ
  • Elevation data enrichment using SRTM satellite datanot LocationIQ
  • Vehicle routing problem optimizationnot 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

OpenRouteService

  • Free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • API restrictions exist but details not fully documented on main page
  • Specific pricing tiers and costs not published on primary website

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

OpenRouteService

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenRouteService review.

Which should you pick?

Choose LocationIQ if

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

Choose OpenRouteService if

  • You want to start without paying.
OpenRouteService review

Questions people ask

Is LocationIQ or OpenRouteService better?
Neither clearly leads. LocationIQ starts at Free and OpenRouteService at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LocationIQ or OpenRouteService?
LocationIQ starts at Free and OpenRouteService at Free.
Does LocationIQ or OpenRouteService run on more platforms?
LocationIQ runs on API. OpenRouteService runs on Web.
Can I use LocationIQ for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 OpenRouteService 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
OpenRouteService: How much does OpenRouteService cost?

OpenRouteService is free to use and open source. The free tier includes up to 500 Isochrones requests per day. Specific pricing for higher usage tiers is not published on the main pricing page.

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
OpenRouteService: Is there a free version of OpenRouteService?

Yes, OpenRouteService is completely free to use and built on open source technology. All services are presented as free to use and based on user-generated and collaboratively collected geographic data from OpenStreetMap.

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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