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Maps · head to head

MapQuest vs Nominatim

MapQuest logo

MapQuest

Maps

Free driving directions, live traffic updates, and road conditions for trip planning and navigation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MapQuest subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand; Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MapQuest and Nominatim actually diverge.

Attributes where MapQuest and Nominatim differ
AttributeMapQuestNominatim

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), platforms (Web), 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 MapQuest

Nothing recorded that Nominatim does not also cover.

Only in Nominatim

Nothing recorded that MapQuest 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.

MapQuest

  • Geocoding, routing and static maps over an APInot Nominatim
  • Adding directions and place search to an applicationnot Nominatim

Nominatim

  • Geocoding and reverse geocoding servicesnot MapQuest
  • Address lookup and location searchnot MapQuest
  • OpenStreetMap-based geolocation datanot MapQuest

Where each one falls short

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

MapQuest

  • Subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand
  • The 50,000 free pay as you go transactions are described as available for a limited time rather than as a standing allowance
  • Plan allowances are monthly and do not carry over
  • Enterprise volume is custom priced

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

MapQuest

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapQuest review.

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MapQuest if

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

MapQuest review

Choose Nominatim if

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

Nominatim review

Questions people ask

Is MapQuest or Nominatim better?
Neither clearly leads. MapQuest starts at On request and Nominatim at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MapQuest or Nominatim?
MapQuest starts at On request and Nominatim at On request.
Does MapQuest or Nominatim run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is MapQuest best used for?
MapQuest is most often used for geocoding, routing and static maps over an api, adding directions and place search to an application. Of those, geocoding, routing and static maps over an api and adding directions and place search to an application are not what Nominatim is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MapQuest: What is the cheapest way to use MapQuest APIs?

The MapQuestGO plan offers 50,000 free transactions for a limited time, then charges $0.0045 per transaction. Monthly subscription plans start at $119/month for 30,000 transactions.

Source
Nominatim: Is Nominatim free?

Nominatim is open source software built on OpenStreetMap data. It appears to be free to use, though commercial usage may require separate licensing or terms. Check the project repository or contact support for clarity on licensing.

Source
MapQuest: Can I cache or store geocoding results on a monthly MapQuest plan?

No. Storing or caching geocodes is not allowed on monthly plans. Only Enterprise accounts can store geocodes off-map with the Extended Rights Geocoding feature.

Source
Nominatim: What is Nominatim's pricing model?

Nominatim does not publish a standard pricing model on its website. As open source software, it is available for free, but commercial or large-scale deployments may require reviewing their licensing terms or contacting project maintainers.

Source
MapQuest: What happens if I exceed my MapQuest monthly transaction limit?

The MapQuest pricing page does not specify overage charges. Users can modify their plan selection from their account dashboard at any time to scale up.

Source
MapQuest: Can I change my MapQuest plan mid-cycle?

Yes. Users can modify their plan selection from their account dashboard at any time, making it easy to scale as needs evolve.

Source
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