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Maps · head to head

HERE Technologies vs OpenRouteService

HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Maps

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenRouteService logo

OpenRouteService

Maps

Open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale; OpenRouteService free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HERE Technologies and OpenRouteService actually diverge.

Attributes where HERE Technologies and OpenRouteService differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesOpenRouteService
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformWeb
Founded1985Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 HERE Technologies

Nothing recorded that OpenRouteService does not also cover.

Only in OpenRouteService

Nothing recorded that HERE Technologies 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.

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot OpenRouteService
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot OpenRouteService
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot OpenRouteService
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot OpenRouteService
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot OpenRouteService

OpenRouteService

  • Directions routing for cars, trucks, bikes, walking, hiking, wheelchairnot HERE Technologies
  • Reachability analysis with isochrones for time and distance calculationsnot HERE Technologies
  • Many-to-many distance matrix calculationsnot HERE Technologies
  • Location geocoding and conversion to coordinatesnot HERE Technologies
  • Points of interest discovery and mappingnot HERE Technologies
  • Elevation data enrichment using SRTM satellite datanot HERE Technologies
  • Vehicle routing problem optimizationnot HERE Technologies

Where each one falls short

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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

OpenRouteService

  • Free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • API restrictions exist but details not fully documented on main page
  • Specific pricing tiers and costs not published on primary website

Pricing, plan by plan

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

OpenRouteService

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenRouteService review.

Which should you pick?

Choose HERE Technologies if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
HERE Technologies review

Choose OpenRouteService if

  • You want to start without paying.
OpenRouteService review

Questions people ask

Is HERE Technologies or OpenRouteService better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies starts at Free and OpenRouteService at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HERE Technologies or OpenRouteService?
HERE Technologies starts at Free and OpenRouteService at Free.
Does HERE Technologies or OpenRouteService run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. OpenRouteService runs on Web.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HERE Technologies best used for?
HERE Technologies is most often used for map data for automated and assisted driving, connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis, supply chain planning and logistics digital twins, geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location services. Of those, map data for automated and assisted driving and connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis are not what OpenRouteService is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
OpenRouteService: How much does OpenRouteService cost?

OpenRouteService is free to use and open source. The free tier includes up to 500 Isochrones requests per day. Specific pricing for higher usage tiers is not published on the main pricing page.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
OpenRouteService: Is there a free version of OpenRouteService?

Yes, OpenRouteService is completely free to use and built on open source technology. All services are presented as free to use and based on user-generated and collaboratively collected geographic data from OpenStreetMap.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
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