Software · head to head
Mapbox vs Foursquare Places API
Mapbox
Software
Location data platform for mobile and web applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Foursquare Places API
Software
Access to the world's most trusted location data, including points of interest
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Mapbox data accuracy varies by region compared to Google Maps' global consistency; Foursquare Places API premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Mapbox and Foursquare Places API actually diverge.
| Attribute | Mapbox | Foursquare Places API |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), 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 Mapbox
Nothing recorded that Foursquare Places API does not also cover.
Only in Foursquare Places API
Nothing recorded that Mapbox 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.
Mapbox
- In-vehicle navigation and automotive infotainmentnot Foursquare Places API
- Delivery and on-demand logistics routingnot Foursquare Places API
- Custom map design and hosting through Studio and the Tiling Servicenot Foursquare Places API
- Geocoding, address validation and autofill in an applicationnot Foursquare Places API
- Telecom coverage and business intelligence visualisationnot Foursquare Places API
Foursquare Places API
No use cases recorded yet. See the Foursquare Places API review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Mapbox
- Data accuracy varies by region compared to Google Maps' global consistency
- Real-time traffic data quality inconsistent across different geographic locations
- Less familiar interface to users accustomed to Google Maps
Foursquare Places API
- Premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option
- Entry-level free tier ($200/month) may be insufficient for high-volume applications
- Limited real-time update frequency compared to enterprise solutions
- Requires API key management and developer portal familiarity
Pricing, plan by plan
Mapbox
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Mapbox review.
Foursquare Places API
Free- Free TierFree
- $200 monthly free credits
- 500 free Pro endpoint calls
- Access to standard place data
- Pro Endpoints$0.00375/per call
- Basic place search
- Details and photos
- Premium Endpoints$18.75/per 1000 calls
- Photos
- Tips
- Hours
Which should you pick?
Choose Foursquare Places API if
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
Questions people ask
- Is Mapbox or Foursquare Places API better?
- Neither clearly leads. Mapbox starts at Free and Foursquare Places API at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Mapbox or Foursquare Places API?
- Mapbox starts at Free and Foursquare Places API at Free.
- Does Mapbox or Foursquare Places API run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Mapbox for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Mapbox best used for?
- Mapbox is most often used for in-vehicle navigation and automotive infotainment, delivery and on-demand logistics routing, custom map design and hosting through studio and the tiling service, geocoding, address validation and autofill in an application. Of those, in-vehicle navigation and automotive infotainment and delivery and on-demand logistics routing are not what Foursquare Places API is typically brought in for.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Mapbox: What is Mapbox's pricing model?
Mapbox uses usage-based pricing with a free tier supporting 50,000 monthly map loads for web. Beyond that, pricing ranges from $0.50-$5 per 1,000 navigation requests and $0.75-$4 per 1,000 geocoding queries.
SourceFoursquare Places API: How much free usage does Foursquare Places API provide?
All developer accounts receive $200 per month in free usage credits. After these are consumed, pay-as-you-go pricing applies. Pro endpoints have 500 free calls monthly, while premium endpoints have no free tier.
SourceMapbox: How does Mapbox compare to Google Maps in pricing?
For moderate to high-volume customers, Mapbox total cost is often 25-50% lower than Google Maps Platform, making it more cost-effective at scale.
SourceFoursquare Places API: What data does Foursquare Places API provide?
Foursquare provides a dataset of 100M+ places across 200 countries with 50+ attributes per place, including venue details, categories, hours, ratings, photos, and tips.
SourceMapbox: What are Mapbox's key features?
Mapbox provides global map data, real-time traffic, geocoding and address search, routing and directions, extensive customization options, and strong data visualization tools for developers.
SourceFoursquare Places API: What are the pricing tiers for premium endpoints?
Premium endpoints like photos, tips, hours, and ratings cost $18.75 per 1,000 calls with no free tier available. Pricing scales with usage.
SourceMapbox: Does Mapbox support offline maps?
Yes. Mapbox allows developers to download offline map tiles, providing offline map viewing and navigation capabilities unlike Google Maps API's restricted offline functionality.
Source