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Mapbox vs Nominatim

Mapbox logo

Mapbox

Software

Location data platform for mobile and web applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Software

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

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; Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mapbox and Nominatim actually diverge.

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

Identical on both: 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 Nominatim does not also cover.

Only in Nominatim

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

Nominatim

  • Geocoding addresses to coordinates from OpenStreetMap datanot Mapbox
  • Reverse geocoding coordinates to a place namenot Mapbox
  • Self hosting a geocoder over an OSM extractnot 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

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

Mapbox

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapbox review.

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Mapbox if

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

Choose Nominatim if

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

Nominatim review

Questions people ask

Is Mapbox or Nominatim better?
Neither clearly leads. Mapbox 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, Mapbox or Nominatim?
Mapbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Mapbox and On request for Nominatim.
Does Mapbox or Nominatim run on more platforms?
Mapbox runs on Web, iOS, Android. Nominatim runs on Web.
Can I use Mapbox for free?
Yes. Mapbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nominatim 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 Nominatim 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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