Softwr

Maps · head to head

Mapillary vs SW Maps

Mapillary logo

Mapillary

Maps

Platform for street-level imagery that crowdsources images to map the world and

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SW Maps logo

SW Maps

Maps

Free Android GIS data collector that pairs with external RTK GNSS receivers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SW Maps has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mapillary no pricing information published on main website pages, suggesting either free service or hidden pricing model; SW Maps android only. There is no iOS version and no sign of one, which rules it out for organisations that issue iPhones and iPads to field staff.
  • They diverge on capability: Mapillary covers Core Functionality, SW Maps covers Custom feature layers.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mapillary and SW Maps actually diverge.

Attributes where Mapillary and SW Maps differ
AttributeMapillarySW Maps
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebAndroid

Identical on both: 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 Mapillary

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in SW Maps

  • Custom feature layers
  • External GNSS support
  • Offline basemaps
  • Geospatial PDF layers
  • Vector import
  • Photo and media capture
  • Export formats
  • NTRIP client

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Mapillary

  • Street-level imagery for map editing and verificationnot SW Maps
  • Crowdsourcing photos to keep a map currentnot SW Maps
  • Extracting map features automatically with computer visionnot SW Maps
  • Embedding street imagery with MapillaryJSnot SW Maps

SW Maps

  • An NGO or municipal utility mapping water points, pipe networks or road assets on a budget that cannot absorb per-user GIS subscriptionsnot Mapillary
  • A survey team pairing a low-cost RTK receiver with Android tablets to collect centimetre-accurate attributed features without buying field software seatsnot Mapillary
  • A university field course teaching GNSS data collection where every student needs the tool on their own devicenot Mapillary
  • A consultant doing a one-off asset inventory who needs shapefile or GeoPackage output and does not want to start an annual subscription for a three-week jobnot Mapillary

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mapillary

  • No pricing information published on main website pages, suggesting either free service or hidden pricing model
  • Unclear monetization strategy makes it difficult for businesses to understand licensing costs for commercial use
  • No published tier structure or feature limits visible to potential customers

SW Maps

  • Android only. There is no iOS version and no sign of one, which rules it out for organisations that issue iPhones and iPads to field staff.
  • There is no back end: no user management, no central project sync, no audit trail. Data lives on the device until someone exports it, and a lost tablet is lost data.
  • No commercial support contract exists, so an organisation with a compliance requirement for vendor support cannot use it for regulated work regardless of technical fit.
  • It is maintained by a small consultancy as a side product of its own project work, so the roadmap follows Softwel’s needs and a feature you depend on may never be prioritised.
  • Form logic is basic compared with dedicated survey platforms: no meaningful skip logic, validation or multi-user assignment, so complex questionnaires quickly outgrow it.

Pricing, plan by plan

Mapillary

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapillary review.

SW Maps

Free
  • SW MapsFree
    • All features included
    • External RTK GNSS support
    • Unlimited layers and exports

Which should you pick?

Choose Mapillary if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Mapillary review

Choose SW Maps if

  • You need custom feature layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android.
  • You also want external gnss support.
SW Maps review

Questions people ask

Is Mapillary or SW Maps better?
Neither clearly leads. Mapillary starts at On request and SW Maps at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mapillary or SW Maps?
SW Maps has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Mapillary and Free for SW Maps.
Does Mapillary or SW Maps run on more platforms?
Mapillary runs on Web. SW Maps runs on Android.
Can I use SW Maps for free?
Yes. SW Maps has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mapillary starts at On request.
What is Mapillary best used for?
Mapillary is most often used for street-level imagery for map editing and verification, crowdsourcing photos to keep a map current, extracting map features automatically with computer vision, embedding street imagery with mapillaryjs. Of those, street-level imagery for map editing and verification and crowdsourcing photos to keep a map current are not what SW Maps is typically brought in for.
What can Mapillary do that SW Maps cannot?
Mapillary covers Core Functionality, User Interface. SW Maps covers Custom feature layers, External GNSS support, Offline basemaps, Geospatial PDF layers.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mapillary: What is the pricing model for Mapillary?

Mapillary does not publish pricing information on its main website pages. The platform focuses on features like street-level imagery access, map updating through computer vision, and open data sharing, but specific costs and licensing tiers are not disclosed publicly.

Source
SW Maps: Is SW Maps really free?

Yes. It is free with no advertising and no paid tier. There is no subscription and no feature paywall.

Mapillary: Can I use Mapillary for commercial purposes?

Specific details about commercial licensing for Mapillary are not published on the main website. Interested businesses should contact Mapillary directly through their support channels to discuss commercial use cases and licensing options.

Source
SW Maps: Does it support RTK receivers?

Yes, over Bluetooth or USB serial, with NTRIP correction support, antenna height and per-point fix quality recording.

Mapillary: Is Mapillary free to use for individual contributors?

Mapillary emphasizes open data sharing and community contributions but specific details about free vs. paid access for individuals are not clearly stated on the main website. Contact Mapillary support for clarification on access terms.

Source
SW Maps: Is there an iOS version?

No. Android only.

SW Maps: Who maintains it?

Softwel, an engineering consultancy in Kathmandu, Nepal, which built it for its own infrastructure projects.

SW Maps: Can we get support?

Not contractually. There is no commercial support agreement, which is the main reason organisations with compliance obligations choose a paid alternative.

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