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MapTiler vs Foursquare Places API

MapTiler logo

MapTiler

Software

Map hosting, styling, and APIs for developers with beautiful pre-built map styles

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
F

Foursquare Places API

Software

Access to the world's most trusted location data, including points of interest

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Foursquare Places API has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MapTiler the free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map; Foursquare Places API premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MapTiler and Foursquare Places API actually diverge.

Attributes where MapTiler and Foursquare Places API differ
AttributeMapTilerFoursquare Places API
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android

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 MapTiler

Nothing recorded that Foursquare Places API does not also cover.

Only in Foursquare Places API

Nothing recorded that MapTiler 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.

MapTiler

  • Serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile applicationnot Foursquare Places API
  • Hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an APInot Foursquare Places API

Foursquare Places API

No use cases recorded yet. See the Foursquare Places API review.

Where each one falls short

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

MapTiler

  • The free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map
  • Free is capped at 5,000 map sessions, 1,000 search sessions and 100,000 API requests a month
  • Free storage is 5 GB but limited to a single file
  • The Flex plan at $30 a month bills overage at $2.50 per 1,000 sessions and $0.15 per 1,000 API requests
  • Soft usage limits that prevent surprise overage bills are a Custom plan feature, so cheaper plans can run up charges
  • A 99.9% SLA requires the prepaid Custom contract

Foursquare Places API

  • Premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option
  • Entry-level free tier ($200/month) may be insufficient for high-volume applications
  • Limited real-time update frequency compared to enterprise solutions
  • Requires API key management and developer portal familiarity

Pricing, plan by plan

MapTiler

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapTiler review.

Foursquare Places API

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • $200 monthly free credits
    • 500 free Pro endpoint calls
    • Access to standard place data
  • Pro Endpoints$0.00375/per call
    • Basic place search
    • Details and photos
  • Premium Endpoints$18.75/per 1000 calls
    • Photos
    • Tips
    • Hours

Which should you pick?

Choose MapTiler if

Nothing in the data separates MapTiler from Foursquare Places API on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

MapTiler review

Choose Foursquare Places API if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
Foursquare Places API review

Questions people ask

Is MapTiler or Foursquare Places API better?
Neither clearly leads. MapTiler starts at On request and Foursquare Places API at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MapTiler or Foursquare Places API?
Foursquare Places API has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for MapTiler and Free for Foursquare Places API.
Does MapTiler or Foursquare Places API run on more platforms?
MapTiler runs on Web. Foursquare Places API runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Foursquare Places API for free?
Yes. Foursquare Places API has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MapTiler starts at On request.
What is MapTiler best used for?
MapTiler is most often used for serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile application, hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an api. Of those, serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile application and hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an api are not what Foursquare Places API is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Foursquare Places API: How much free usage does Foursquare Places API provide?

All developer accounts receive $200 per month in free usage credits. After these are consumed, pay-as-you-go pricing applies. Pro endpoints have 500 free calls monthly, while premium endpoints have no free tier.

Source
Foursquare Places API: What data does Foursquare Places API provide?

Foursquare provides a dataset of 100M+ places across 200 countries with 50+ attributes per place, including venue details, categories, hours, ratings, photos, and tips.

Source
Foursquare Places API: What are the pricing tiers for premium endpoints?

Premium endpoints like photos, tips, hours, and ratings cost $18.75 per 1,000 calls with no free tier available. Pricing scales with usage.

Source
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Related pages

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