Maps & Navigation · head to head
Mapbox vs GraphHopper
Mapbox
Maps & Navigation
Location data platform for mobile and web applications
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
GraphHopper
Maps & Navigation
Open-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Mapbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Mapbox data accuracy varies by region compared to Google Maps' global consistency; GraphHopper the free plan is non commercial use only
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Mapbox and GraphHopper actually diverge.
| Attribute | Mapbox | GraphHopper |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2010 | Unknown |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).
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 GraphHopper does not also cover.
Only in GraphHopper
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 GraphHopper
- Delivery and on-demand logistics routingnot GraphHopper
- Custom map design and hosting through Studio and the Tiling Servicenot GraphHopper
- Geocoding, address validation and autofill in an applicationnot GraphHopper
- Telecom coverage and business intelligence visualisationnot GraphHopper
GraphHopper
- Routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an APInot Mapbox
- Map matching GPS traces and generating isochronesnot Mapbox
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
GraphHopper
- The free plan is non commercial use only
- Free allows 500 credits a day, 5 locations per request and a single vehicle
- Request complexity is capped per plan, at 30 locations and 2 vehicles on Basic at 69 EUR a month, rising to 200 locations and 20 vehicles on Premium at 479 EUR
- Isochrone range is limited by plan, at 15 minutes on Basic and 30 on Premium
- Credits are a daily allowance, so a busy day cannot draw on a quiet one
Pricing, plan by plan
Mapbox
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Mapbox review.
GraphHopper
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the GraphHopper review.
Which should you pick?
Choose GraphHopper if
Nothing in the data separates GraphHopper from Mapbox on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Mapbox or GraphHopper better?
- Neither clearly leads. Mapbox starts at Free and GraphHopper at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Mapbox or GraphHopper?
- Mapbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Mapbox and On request for GraphHopper.
- Does Mapbox or GraphHopper run on more platforms?
- Mapbox runs on Web, iOS, Android. GraphHopper runs on Web.
- Can I use Mapbox for free?
- Yes. Mapbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. GraphHopper starts at On request.
- 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 GraphHopper 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.
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.
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.
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