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Maps · head to head

OpenStreetMap vs PositionStack

OpenStreetMap logo

OpenStreetMap

Maps

Collaborative project to create a free editable geographic database of the world

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 OpenStreetMap has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OpenStreetMap data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage; 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 OpenStreetMap and PositionStack actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenStreetMap and PositionStack differ
AttributeOpenStreetMapPositionStack
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb
Founded2004Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 OpenStreetMap

Nothing recorded that PositionStack does not also cover.

Only in PositionStack

Nothing recorded that OpenStreetMap 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.

OpenStreetMap

  • Supplying map data to websites, mobile apps and hardware devicesnot PositionStack
  • Community mapping of roads, trails, cafes and railway stationsnot PositionStack
  • Projects that need open map data and can meet the attribution requirementnot PositionStack
  • Building on map data where a share-alike licence is acceptablenot PositionStack

PositionStack

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

Where each one falls short

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

OpenStreetMap

  • Data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage
  • No minimum quality standards enforced, making data prone to errors and inconsistencies
  • Data completeness gaps, especially for minor roads and remote areas
  • Bias toward well-mapped regions with high volunteer activity
  • Positional accuracy concerns with only 70-76% of roads within 5-10 meter tolerance
  • Tag criteria not well-defined leading to logical consistency issues

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

OpenStreetMap

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenStreetMap review.

PositionStack

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PositionStack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenStreetMap if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
OpenStreetMap review

Choose PositionStack if

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

PositionStack review

Questions people ask

Is OpenStreetMap or PositionStack better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenStreetMap 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, OpenStreetMap or PositionStack?
OpenStreetMap has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenStreetMap and On request for PositionStack.
Does OpenStreetMap or PositionStack run on more platforms?
OpenStreetMap runs on Web, API. PositionStack runs on Web.
Can I use OpenStreetMap for free?
Yes. OpenStreetMap has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PositionStack starts at On request.
What is OpenStreetMap best used for?
OpenStreetMap is most often used for supplying map data to websites, mobile apps and hardware devices, community mapping of roads, trails, cafes and railway stations, projects that need open map data and can meet the attribution requirement, building on map data where a share-alike licence is acceptable. Of those, supplying map data to websites, mobile apps and hardware devices and community mapping of roads, trails, cafes and railway stations are not what PositionStack is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenStreetMap: Is OpenStreetMap free to use?

Yes, OpenStreetMap is completely free and open-source under the Open Data Commons license. You can download and use map data for any purpose.

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
OpenStreetMap: How accurate is OpenStreetMap?

OpenStreetMap accuracy varies by region. In well-mapped areas like developed countries, accuracy is generally high. Only 76% of OSM roads aligned within 10 meters of reference roads, with 70% within 5 meters.

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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