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Maps · head to head

OpenRouteService vs PositionStack

OpenRouteService logo

OpenRouteService

Maps

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PositionStack logo

PositionStack

Maps

Free, developer-friendly geocoding API for forward and reverse geocoding with global coverage

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenRouteService has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OpenRouteService free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day; PositionStack the free plan allows only 100 requests per month
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenRouteService and PositionStack actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenRouteService and PositionStack differ
AttributeOpenRouteServicePositionStack
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: 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 PositionStack does not also cover.

Only in PositionStack

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 PositionStack
  • Reachability analysis with isochrones for time and distance calculationsnot PositionStack
  • Many-to-many distance matrix calculationsnot PositionStack
  • Location geocoding and conversion to coordinatesnot PositionStack
  • Points of interest discovery and mappingnot PositionStack
  • Elevation data enrichment using SRTM satellite datanot PositionStack
  • Vehicle routing problem optimizationnot PositionStack

PositionStack

  • Forward geocoding addresses to coordinates via REST APInot OpenRouteService
  • Reverse geocoding coordinates to addressesnot OpenRouteService
  • Batch geocoding location data in a backend servicenot 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

PositionStack

  • The free plan allows only 100 requests per month
  • The free plan is a personal licence, so commercial use requires a paid plan
  • The free plan is rate limited, with an extended rate limit only from the Basic plan up
  • Requests beyond the monthly quota are billed as overage, at $0.0003996 per request on Basic
  • The lowest advertised rates require annual prepayment
  • Enterprise volumes are priced by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenRouteService

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenRouteService review.

PositionStack

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PositionStack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenRouteService if

  • You want to start without paying.
OpenRouteService review

Choose PositionStack if

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

PositionStack review

Questions people ask

Is OpenRouteService or PositionStack better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenRouteService starts at Free and PositionStack at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenRouteService or PositionStack?
OpenRouteService has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenRouteService and On request for PositionStack.
Does OpenRouteService or PositionStack run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OpenRouteService for free?
Yes. OpenRouteService has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PositionStack starts at On request.
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 PositionStack 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
PositionStack: What annual billing discount does Positionstack offer?

Annual billing provides up to 15% discount compared to monthly billing total. For example, Basic annual is $8.99/month vs $9.99/month monthly, and Professional annual is $43.99/month vs $49.99/month monthly. Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

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
PositionStack: How do Positionstack overage notifications work?

Positionstack sends alerts at 75%, 90%, and 100% of your monthly request allowance. Overages are calculated at month-end and charged according to each tier's per-request rate (e.g., Business tier: $0.00013332/request). Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

Source
PositionStack: What payment methods does Positionstack accept?

Positionstack accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Diner's Club for monthly billing. Enterprise customers may arrange bank transfers for their custom agreements. Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

Source
PositionStack: Can I downgrade or cancel my Positionstack plan?

Downgrades take effect at your billing cycle end. Cancellations require contacting customer service. Uptime guarantee is 99.9% average over 12 months. Source: https://positionstack.com/pricing

Source
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