Maps · head to head
MAPS.ME vs Nominatim
MAPS.ME
Maps
Free, offline maps application based on OpenStreetMap data
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Nominatim
Maps
Open-source geocoding tool for OpenStreetMap data, providing address search and reverse geocoding capabilities
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only MAPS.ME has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: MAPS.ME mobile-only - no web or desktop navigation client; 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 MAPS.ME and Nominatim actually diverge.
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 MAPS.ME
Nothing recorded that Nominatim does not also cover.
Only in Nominatim
Nothing recorded that MAPS.ME 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.
MAPS.ME
- Downloading offline maps for travel without connectivitynot Nominatim
- Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation without datanot Nominatim
- Finding points of interest and hiking trailsnot Nominatim
- Following built-in travel guidesnot Nominatim
- Hotel booking via Booking.com integrationnot Nominatim
Nominatim
- Geocoding and reverse geocoding servicesnot MAPS.ME
- Address lookup and location searchnot MAPS.ME
- OpenStreetMap-based geolocation datanot MAPS.ME
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
MAPS.ME
- Mobile-only - no web or desktop navigation client
- Free tier limits offline map downloads and shows monetization prompts
- No native Windows, macOS, or Linux app
- Map data comes from the OpenStreetMap community rather than a commercial map provider
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
MAPS.ME
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the MAPS.ME review.
Nominatim
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Nominatim if
Nothing in the data separates Nominatim from MAPS.ME on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is MAPS.ME or Nominatim better?
- Neither clearly leads. MAPS.ME 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, MAPS.ME or Nominatim?
- MAPS.ME has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MAPS.ME and On request for Nominatim.
- Does MAPS.ME or Nominatim run on more platforms?
- MAPS.ME runs on iOS, Android. Nominatim runs on Web.
- Can I use MAPS.ME for free?
- Yes. MAPS.ME has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nominatim starts at On request.
- What is MAPS.ME best used for?
- MAPS.ME is most often used for downloading offline maps for travel without connectivity, turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation without data, finding points of interest and hiking trails, following built-in travel guides. Of those, downloading offline maps for travel without connectivity and turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation without data are not what Nominatim is typically brought in for.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
MAPS.ME: Is MAPS.ME free to download and use?
MAPS.ME is available as a free download for both iOS via App Store and Android via Google Play. No pricing information is published on the MAPS.ME website, suggesting a free service model.
SourceNominatim: 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.
SourceMAPS.ME: What features are included in MAPS.ME?
MAPS.ME is marketed as 'not just an app but a friend in all your adventures.' Full feature details require downloading the app from App Store or Google Play. Specific limitations or premium features are not disclosed on the website.
SourceNominatim: 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.
SourceMAPS.ME: How does MAPS.ME make money if the app is free?
MAPS.ME does not publish pricing or monetization details on its website. The app is available free on both iOS and Android platforms, but the business model for generating revenue is not disclosed publicly.
SourceRelated pages
Other head to heads
- MAPS.ME vs Apple Maps
- MAPS.ME vs Mapbox
- MAPS.ME vs Google Maps Platform
- MAPS.ME vs HERE Technologies
- MAPS.ME vs OsmAnd
- MAPS.ME vs Navmii GPS
- MAPS.ME vs OpenRouteService
- MAPS.ME vs OpenStreetMap
- MAPS.ME vs QGIS
- MAPS.ME vs Ride with GPS
- MAPS.ME vs AllTrails
- MAPS.ME vs Citymapper
- MAPS.ME vs Mappedin
- MAPS.ME vs MapTiler
- MAPS.ME vs onX Maps
- MAPS.ME vs Potree
- MAPS.ME vs SW Maps
- MAPS.ME vs WhiteboxTools
- MAPS.ME vs LocationIQ
- MAPS.ME vs Geoapify
- MAPS.ME vs OSRM
- MAPS.ME vs PositionStack
- MAPS.ME vs Stadia Maps
- MAPS.ME vs GraphHopper
- MAPS.ME vs Leica Infinity
- MAPS.ME vs Lonboard
- MAPS.ME vs Mapillary
- MAPS.ME vs MapQuest
- MAPS.ME vs Google Maps
- Nominatim vs Apple Maps
- Nominatim vs Mapbox
- Nominatim vs Google Maps Platform
- Nominatim vs HERE Technologies
- Nominatim vs OsmAnd
- Nominatim vs Navmii GPS
- Nominatim vs OpenRouteService
- Nominatim vs OpenStreetMap
- Nominatim vs QGIS
- Nominatim vs Ride with GPS
- Nominatim vs AllTrails
- Nominatim vs Citymapper
- Nominatim vs Mappedin
- Nominatim vs MapTiler
- Nominatim vs onX Maps
- Nominatim vs Potree
- Nominatim vs SW Maps
- Nominatim vs WhiteboxTools
- Nominatim vs LocationIQ
- Nominatim vs Geoapify
- Nominatim vs OSRM
- Nominatim vs PositionStack
- Nominatim vs Stadia Maps
- Nominatim vs GraphHopper
- Nominatim vs Leica Infinity
- Nominatim vs Lonboard
- Nominatim vs Mapillary
- Nominatim vs MapQuest
- Nominatim vs Google Maps