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Maps · head to head

OpenStreetMap vs Quartix

OpenStreetMap logo

OpenStreetMap

Maps

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

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Quartix logo

Quartix

Fleet Management

Deliberately narrow vehicle tracking from a listed UK vendor that publishes its prices

From
On request
Free plan
No
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; Quartix video telematics is not part of the core product, so any fleet that decides it needs camera evidence after an incident has to bring in a second vendor and a second subscription.
  • They diverge on capability: OpenStreetMap covers Core Functionality, Quartix covers Live tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenStreetMap and Quartix actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenStreetMap and Quartix differ
AttributeOpenStreetMapQuartix
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownPer vehicle per month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryMapsFleet Management
Founded2004Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in Quartix

  • Live tracking
  • Driving style scoring
  • Timesheet reporting
  • Geofences
  • Driver identification
  • Published pricing

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 Quartix
  • Community mapping of roads, trails, cafes and railway stationsnot Quartix
  • Projects that need open map data and can meet the attribution requirementnot Quartix
  • Building on map data where a share-alike licence is acceptablenot Quartix

Quartix

  • A UK or French van fleet that wants tracking and timesheet evidence without a discovery call and a three-year commitmentnot OpenStreetMap
  • A finance manager who needs to compare telematics costs on published numbers rather than negotiated quotesnot OpenStreetMap
  • An operator disputing employee hours or customer claims about arrival times who needs a defensible site attendance recordnot OpenStreetMap
  • A small fleet whose insurer offers a discount for driving style monitoring but who does not need cameras or compliance toolingnot 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

Quartix

  • Video telematics is not part of the core product, so any fleet that decides it needs camera evidence after an incident has to bring in a second vendor and a second subscription.
  • There is no maintenance, work order or parts management, so servicing schedules stay in whatever spreadsheet or garage system the fleet already runs.
  • US hours of service and wider DOT compliance are not the focus, which rules Quartix out for regulated interstate commercial operations.
  • The standard tracker is hardwired rather than a plug-in device, so installation means booking vehicles in, which adds cost and downtime that no-contract plug-in competitors avoid.
  • The API and integration list are short, so feeding tracking data into payroll, job costing or an ERP tends to mean scheduled exports rather than a supported connector.

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenStreetMap

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenStreetMap review.

Quartix

On request
  • Quartix$undefined/month
    • List pricing published openly, with rates varying by contract length
    • Tracking hardware included in the subscription rather than bought separately
    • One-year terms available alongside longer discounted options

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenStreetMap if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want user interface.
OpenStreetMap review

Choose Quartix if

  • You need live tracking.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want driving style scoring.
Quartix review

Questions people ask

Is OpenStreetMap or Quartix better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenStreetMap starts at Free and Quartix at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenStreetMap or Quartix?
OpenStreetMap has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenStreetMap and On request for Quartix.
Does OpenStreetMap or Quartix run on more platforms?
OpenStreetMap runs on Web, API. Quartix runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use OpenStreetMap for free?
Yes. OpenStreetMap has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Quartix 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 Quartix is typically brought in for.
What can OpenStreetMap do that Quartix cannot?
OpenStreetMap covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Quartix covers Live tracking, Driving style scoring, Timesheet reporting, Geofences.

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
Quartix: Why is Quartix cheaper than the big platforms?

Because it does less. There is no camera ecosystem, no compliance suite and no marketplace to fund. If you only need tracking, you are not subsidising features you will not use.

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
Quartix: Do I have to sign for three years?

No. Shorter terms are offered, priced higher per month than the longer options. The rates are published, so the trade-off is visible before you talk to anyone.

Quartix: Is the hardware mine?

The tracking unit is supplied as part of the subscription rather than sold to you. Check the return and replacement terms if you plan to leave or dispose of vehicles.

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