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Maps · head to head

Nominatim vs Radar

Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps

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

From
On request
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

  • Each has a real cost: Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second; Radar no free tier available
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nominatim and Radar actually diverge.

Attributes where Nominatim and Radar differ
AttributeNominatimRadar
Starting priceOn request$0.02/per monthly tracked user
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Nominatim

Nothing recorded that Radar does not also cover.

Only in Radar

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 and reverse geocoding servicesnot Radar
  • Address lookup and location searchnot Radar
  • OpenStreetMap-based geolocation datanot Radar

Radar

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

Radar

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Radar

$0.02/per monthly tracked user

No published plan breakdown. See the Radar review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Nominatim if

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

Nominatim review

Choose Radar if

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

Questions people ask

Is Nominatim or Radar better?
Neither clearly leads. Nominatim starts at On request 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, Nominatim or Radar?
Nominatim starts at On request and Radar at $0.02/per monthly tracked user.
Does Nominatim or Radar run on more platforms?
Nominatim runs on Web. Radar runs on iOS, Android, Web.
What is Nominatim best used for?
Nominatim is most often used for geocoding and reverse geocoding services, address lookup and location search, openstreetmap-based geolocation data. Of those, geocoding and reverse geocoding services and address lookup and location search are not what Radar is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Nominatim: Is Nominatim free?

Nominatim is open source software built on OpenStreetMap data. It appears to be free to use, though commercial usage may require separate licensing or terms. Check the project repository or contact support for clarity on licensing.

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
Nominatim: What is Nominatim's pricing model?

Nominatim does not publish a standard pricing model on its website. As open source software, it is available for free, but commercial or large-scale deployments may require reviewing their licensing terms or contacting project maintainers.

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
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
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