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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Mapbox vs Mapzen

Mapbox logo

Mapbox

Maps & Navigation

Location data platform for mobile and web applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mapzen logo

Mapzen

Maps & Navigation

Mapzen was an open-source mapping platform that provided geocoding, routing, and map rendering services

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Mapzen the vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mapbox and Mapzen actually diverge.

Attributes where Mapbox and Mapzen differ
AttributeMapboxMapzen
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
Founded2010Unknown

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 Mapzen does not also cover.

Only in Mapzen

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 Mapzen
  • Delivery and on-demand logistics routingnot Mapzen
  • Custom map design and hosting through Studio and the Tiling Servicenot Mapzen
  • Geocoding, address validation and autofill in an applicationnot Mapzen
  • Telecom coverage and business intelligence visualisationnot Mapzen

Mapzen

No use cases recorded yet. See the Mapzen 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

Mapzen

  • The vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service

Pricing, plan by plan

Mapbox

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapbox review.

Mapzen

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapzen review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Mapbox if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
Mapbox review

Choose Mapzen if

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

Mapzen review

Questions people ask

Is Mapbox or Mapzen better?
Neither clearly leads. Mapbox starts at Free and Mapzen at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mapbox or Mapzen?
Mapbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Mapbox and On request for Mapzen.
Does Mapbox or Mapzen run on more platforms?
Mapbox runs on Web, iOS, Android. Mapzen runs on Web.
Can I use Mapbox for free?
Yes. Mapbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mapzen 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 Mapzen 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.

Source
Mapbox: 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.

Source
Mapbox: 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.

Source
Mapbox: 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
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