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Maps · head to head

OpenRouteService vs OSRM

OpenRouteService logo

OpenRouteService

Maps

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
O

OSRM

Maps

High-performance open-source routing engine designed for OpenStreetMap data, providing fast route calculations

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OpenRouteService free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day; OSRM free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenRouteService and OSRM actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenRouteService and OSRM differ
AttributeOpenRouteServiceOSRM
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), 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 OpenRouteService

Nothing recorded that OSRM does not also cover.

Only in OSRM

Nothing recorded that OpenRouteService 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.

OpenRouteService

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

OSRM

  • Calculating efficient delivery routes across continental-sized road networks in millisecondsnot OpenRouteService
  • Building navigation features for mobile apps without constructing routing infrastructurenot OpenRouteService
  • Customizing route optimization for car, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation modesnot OpenRouteService
  • Integrating OpenStreetMap data for real-time routing in web applicationsnot OpenRouteService

Where each one falls short

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

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

OSRM

  • Free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenRouteService

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenRouteService review.

OSRM

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OSRM review.

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenRouteService if

  • You want to start without paying.
OpenRouteService review

Choose OSRM if

  • You want to start without paying.
OSRM review

Questions people ask

Is OpenRouteService or OSRM better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenRouteService starts at Free and OSRM at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenRouteService or OSRM?
OpenRouteService starts at Free and OSRM at Free.
Does OpenRouteService or OSRM run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OpenRouteService for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is OpenRouteService best used for?
OpenRouteService is most often used for directions routing for cars, trucks, bikes, walking, hiking, wheelchair, reachability analysis with isochrones for time and distance calculations, many-to-many distance matrix calculations, location geocoding and conversion to coordinates. Of those, directions routing for cars, trucks, bikes, walking, hiking, wheelchair and reachability analysis with isochrones for time and distance calculations are not what OSRM is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
OSRM: How much does Project OSRM cost?

Project OSRM is completely free and open source, distributed under the permissive 2-clause BSD license with no licensing costs or fees.

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
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