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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Nominatim vs Apple Maps

Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps & Navigation

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Maps logo

Apple Maps

Maps & Navigation

Web mapping and navigation application developed by Apple Inc

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second; Apple Maps live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nominatim and Apple Maps actually diverge.

Attributes where Nominatim and Apple Maps differ
AttributeNominatimApple Maps
PlatformsWebiOS, macOS, Web
FoundedUnknown2012

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (freemium), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).

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

Nothing recorded that Apple Maps does not also cover.

Only in Apple Maps

Nothing recorded that Nominatim 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.

Nominatim

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

Apple Maps

  • Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigationnot Nominatim
  • Public transit directions with real-time schedules (subways, buses, trains, ferries)not Nominatim
  • Offline turn-by-turn directions for pre-downloaded areas (iOS 17+)not Nominatim
  • Augmented-reality immersive walking directions in supported citiesnot Nominatim
  • Saving custom hiking/walking routes, including U.S. national park hikes, for offline accessnot 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

Apple Maps

  • Live traffic updates, public transit info, and satellite view all require an active internet connection, offline mode (iOS 17+) is limited to pre-downloaded areas for driving, walking, cycling, and transit directions
  • Apple Maps for the web is only in public beta, not a full-featured release
  • Feature depth (e.g. immersive walking AR directions, detailed transit) is strongest on newer iPhones/iOS versions, leaving older devices with a reduced experience

Pricing, plan by plan

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Apple Maps

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Apple Maps review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Nominatim if

Nothing in the data separates Nominatim from Apple Maps on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Nominatim review

Choose Apple Maps if

  • You work on iOS, macOS, Web.
Apple Maps review

Questions people ask

Is Nominatim or Apple Maps better?
Neither clearly leads. Nominatim starts at On request and Apple Maps at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nominatim or Apple Maps?
Nominatim starts at On request and Apple Maps at On request.
Does Nominatim or Apple Maps run on more platforms?
Nominatim runs on Web. Apple Maps runs on iOS, macOS, Web.
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 Apple Maps is typically brought in for.
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