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Nominatim vs AllTrails

Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Software

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AllTrails logo

AllTrails

Software

Discover the best hiking and biking trails

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only AllTrails has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second; AllTrails the App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.
  • They diverge on capability: Nominatim covers Core Functionality, AllTrails covers Trail discovery.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nominatim and AllTrails actually diverge.

Attributes where Nominatim and AllTrails differ
AttributeNominatimAllTrails
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebIos, Android, Web
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: pricing model (freemium), 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 Nominatim

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in AllTrails

  • Trail discovery
  • Offline maps
  • GPS navigation
  • Activity recording
  • Trail reviews
  • Apple Health
  • Garmin
  • Apple Watch

What people use each for

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

Nominatim

  • Geocoding addresses to coordinates from OpenStreetMap datanot AllTrails
  • Reverse geocoding coordinates to a place namenot AllTrails
  • Self hosting a geocoder over an OSM extractnot AllTrails

AllTrails

  • Trail discoverynot Nominatim
  • Hiking navigationnot Nominatim
  • Outdoor fitness trackingnot Nominatim

Where each one falls short

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

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

AllTrails

  • The App Store listing shows AllTrails is a free download with an in-app Pro subscription; the visible listing text does not state the Pro price, so the reader must check in-app purchases for the current rate.

Pricing, plan by plan

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

AllTrails

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Trail search
    • Community reviews
    • Basic maps
  • AllTrails+$35.99/year
    • Offline maps
    • Real-time navigation
    • Trail conditions

Which should you pick?

Choose Nominatim if

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

Choose AllTrails if

  • You need trail discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want offline maps.
AllTrails review

Questions people ask

Is Nominatim or AllTrails better?
Neither clearly leads. Nominatim starts at On request and AllTrails at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nominatim or AllTrails?
AllTrails has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Nominatim and Free for AllTrails.
Does Nominatim or AllTrails run on more platforms?
Nominatim runs on Web. AllTrails runs on Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use AllTrails for free?
Yes. AllTrails has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nominatim starts at On request.
What is Nominatim best used for?
Nominatim is most often used for geocoding addresses to coordinates from openstreetmap data, reverse geocoding coordinates to a place name, self hosting a geocoder over an osm extract. Of those, geocoding addresses to coordinates from openstreetmap data and reverse geocoding coordinates to a place name are not what AllTrails is typically brought in for.
What can Nominatim do that AllTrails cannot?
Nominatim covers Core Functionality, User Interface. AllTrails covers Trail discovery, Offline maps, GPS navigation, Activity recording.
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