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Maps · head to head

Nominatim vs Transit

Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Transit logo

Transit

Maps

Public transit trip planning and real-time arrivals for buses, trains and shared bikes and scooters

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Transit 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; Transit coverage depends entirely on whether the local transit agency publishes a real-time feed, so quality swings sharply between well-funded metro systems and smaller regional operators.
  • They diverge on capability: Nominatim covers Core Functionality, Transit covers Real-time arrivals.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nominatim and Transit actually diverge.

Attributes where Nominatim and Transit differ
AttributeNominatimTransit
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumFree to riders; revenue from agency data and fare-payment transaction fees
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web

Identical on both: 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

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in Transit

  • Real-time arrivals
  • Multi-modal trip planning
  • Service alerts
  • In-app fare payment
  • Offline schedules
  • GO transit and micromobility layers

What people use each for

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

Nominatim

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

Transit

  • A commuter in a city with a well-maintained GTFS-realtime feed wanting live bus and train arrivalsnot Nominatim
  • A rider comparing a transit trip against a bike share or scooter leg for the last milenot Nominatim
  • A visitor needing offline-capable static schedules in a city with patchy data coveragenot Nominatim
  • Someone wanting to buy a transit fare inside the same app used to plan the trip, in supported citiesnot 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

Transit

  • Coverage depends entirely on whether the local transit agency publishes a real-time feed, so quality swings sharply between well-funded metro systems and smaller regional operators.
  • The company earns its revenue by selling agencies a paid analytics product built from rider trip data, which means the free app functions partly as a data-collection layer for a business customer, not only as a public service.
  • In-app fare payment is only available in a limited set of cities, so the headline feature is not something most riders can actually use.
  • Static schedule fallback in low-data cities is only as accurate as the agency last published, and service changes can go unreflected for weeks.
  • The app has no offline routing without a cached area, so it is not reliable for navigation in areas with poor mobile signal.

Pricing, plan by plan

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Transit

Free
  • Rider appFree
    • Real-time arrivals and trip planning
    • No ads shown to riders
    • In-app fare purchase where supported

Which should you pick?

Choose Nominatim if

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

Choose Transit if

  • You need real-time arrivals.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want multi-modal trip planning.
Transit review

Questions people ask

Is Nominatim or Transit better?
Neither clearly leads. Nominatim starts at On request and Transit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nominatim or Transit?
Transit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Nominatim and Free for Transit.
Does Nominatim or Transit run on more platforms?
Nominatim runs on Web. Transit runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Transit for free?
Yes. Transit 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 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 Transit is typically brought in for.
What can Nominatim do that Transit cannot?
Nominatim covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Transit covers Real-time arrivals, Multi-modal trip planning, Service alerts, In-app fare payment.

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
Transit: Does Transit cost anything to use?

No. The rider app is free with no subscription and no ads; the company earns money separately by selling agencies a paid data and communication platform.

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
Transit: Does it work in every city?

No. Coverage depends on whether the local transit agency publishes a GTFS or GTFS-realtime feed; some smaller markets have static schedules only.

Transit: Can I buy a bus or train ticket in the app?

Only in cities where the local agency has integrated fare payment; elsewhere you still need the agency app or a physical ticket.

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