Softwr

Maps · head to head

MAPS.ME vs Radar

MAPS.ME logo

MAPS.ME

Maps

Free, offline maps application based on OpenStreetMap data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Radar logo

Radar

Maps

Geofencing, trip tracking, and location-based search APIs that power location features in

From
$0.02/per monthly tracked user
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Radar no free tier available
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MAPS.ME and Radar actually diverge.

Attributes where MAPS.ME and Radar differ
AttributeMAPS.MERadar
Starting priceFree$0.02/per monthly tracked user
Pricing modelUnknownusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web
Founded2011Unknown

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 Radar does not also cover.

Only in Radar

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 Radar
  • Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation without datanot Radar
  • Finding points of interest and hiking trailsnot Radar
  • Following built-in travel guidesnot Radar
  • Hotel booking via Booking.com integrationnot Radar

Radar

  • Detecting and preventing fraud with geolocation verificationnot MAPS.ME
  • Tracking pickups and deliveries in real-time with geofencingnot MAPS.ME
  • Engaging customers with location-based marketing campaignsnot MAPS.ME
  • Managing geographic compliance and hyper-accurate location trackingnot 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

Radar

  • No free tier available
  • Annual contracts required with committed monthly quotas
  • Volume discounts applied manually; no public discount tiers

Pricing, plan by plan

MAPS.ME

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the MAPS.ME review.

Radar

$0.02/per monthly tracked user

No published plan breakdown. See the Radar review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MAPS.ME if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
MAPS.ME review

Choose Radar if

  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
Radar review

Questions people ask

Is MAPS.ME or Radar better?
Neither clearly leads. MAPS.ME starts at Free and Radar at $0.02/per monthly tracked user, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MAPS.ME or Radar?
MAPS.ME has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MAPS.ME and $0.02/per monthly tracked user for Radar.
Does MAPS.ME or Radar run on more platforms?
MAPS.ME runs on iOS, Android. Radar runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use MAPS.ME for free?
Yes. MAPS.ME has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Radar starts at $0.02/per monthly tracked user.
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 Radar 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.

Source
Radar: What is Radar's core function?

Radar is an all-in-one location platform providing SDKs and APIs for geofencing, trip tracking, geocoding, and location search. It handles 100+ billion annual queries from 100+ million devices.

Source
MAPS.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.

Source
Radar: Who uses Radar?

Companies like Sleeper, Panera, DICK's Sporting Goods, T-Mobile, and Zillow use Radar's geofencing SDKs and maps APIs for location-based solutions.

Source
MAPS.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.

Source
Radar: How is Radar's pricing structured?

Radar does not publicly disclose pricing. Custom quotes are required based on usage and requirements, meaning pricing varies per customer.

Source
Radar: What are Radar's security and privacy features?

Radar prioritizes enterprise-level security, privacy, and customer support. It maintains high uptime, low latency connections for reliable monitoring of location data across platforms.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on MAPS.ME

More on Radar

Keep looking

Other head to heads