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Software · head to head

Mapzen vs Samsara

Mapzen logo

Mapzen

Software

Mapzen was an open-source mapping platform that provided geocoding, routing, and map rendering services

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Samsara logo

Samsara

Software

The connected operations cloud

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Mapzen the vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service; Samsara no price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated
  • They diverge on capability: Mapzen covers Core Functionality, Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mapzen and Samsara actually diverge.

Attributes where Mapzen and Samsara differ
AttributeMapzenSamsara
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2015

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), 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 Mapzen

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in Samsara

  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • AI dash cameras
  • ELD compliance
  • IFTA reporting
  • Driver safety coaching
  • Maintenance scheduling
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Route optimization

What people use each for

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

Mapzen

No use cases recorded yet. See the Mapzen review.

Samsara

  • Real time GPS tracking of vehicle location and engine healthnot Mapzen
  • AI dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alertsnot Mapzen
  • Trailer and powered equipment tracking for asset recoverynot Mapzen
  • Fleet maintenance planning and fuel usage analysisnot Mapzen

Where each one falls short

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

Mapzen

  • The vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service

Samsara

  • No price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated
  • Safety, Telematics and Equipment tracking are sold as separate plan families, so a fleet needing all three buys three plans
  • Weather risk visibility and the 30 plus risk detections with context and patterns require Safety Enterprise rather than Safety Premier
  • AI fuel lifecycle insights, TMS integrations and route performance tools require Telematics Enterprise rather than Telematics Premier
  • Proactive maintenance tools and real time diagnostics for trailers and equipment require Advanced Tracking rather than Standard Visibility

Pricing, plan by plan

Mapzen

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Mapzen review.

Samsara

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Samsara review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Mapzen if

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

Choose Samsara if

  • You need real-time gps tracking.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want ai dash cameras.
Samsara review

Questions people ask

Is Mapzen or Samsara better?
Neither clearly leads. Mapzen starts at On request and Samsara at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mapzen or Samsara?
Mapzen starts at On request and Samsara at On request.
Does Mapzen or Samsara run on more platforms?
Mapzen runs on Web. Samsara runs on Web, Mobile.
What can Mapzen do that Samsara cannot?
Mapzen covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking, AI dash cameras, ELD compliance, IFTA reporting.
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