Softwr

Software · head to head

OsmAnd vs Foursquare Places API

OsmAnd logo

OsmAnd

Software

Open-source map and navigation application based on OpenStreetMap data

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
F

Foursquare Places API

Software

Access to the world's most trusted location data, including points of interest

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OsmAnd free version limited to only 7 map downloads at once, restricting users who need multiple regional maps; Foursquare Places API premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OsmAnd and Foursquare Places API actually diverge.

Attributes where OsmAnd and Foursquare Places API differ
AttributeOsmAndFoursquare Places API
PlatformsiOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGalleryWeb, iOS, Android
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 OsmAnd

Nothing recorded that Foursquare Places API does not also cover.

Only in Foursquare Places API

Nothing recorded that OsmAnd 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.

OsmAnd

  • Offline navigation in areas with no data connectionnot Foursquare Places API
  • Turn-by-turn voice guided drivingnot Foursquare Places API
  • Bicycle and pedestrian routingnot Foursquare Places API
  • Hiking and trail running navigationnot Foursquare Places API
  • Motorcycling and travel using per-country or per-region offline mapsnot Foursquare Places API

Foursquare Places API

No use cases recorded yet. See the Foursquare Places API review.

Where each one falls short

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

OsmAnd

  • Free version limited to only 7 map downloads at once, restricting users who need multiple regional maps
  • Poor performance with slow map rendering and navigation lag reported on older devices
  • Route calculation limited to approximately 200 kilometers or less for offline calculation
  • Map accuracy issues due to reliance on community OpenStreetMap data which may contain outdated information

Foursquare Places API

  • Premium endpoint features like photos and ratings require paid calls with no free option
  • Entry-level free tier ($200/month) may be insufficient for high-volume applications
  • Limited real-time update frequency compared to enterprise solutions
  • Requires API key management and developer portal familiarity

Pricing, plan by plan

OsmAnd

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OsmAnd review.

Foursquare Places API

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • $200 monthly free credits
    • 500 free Pro endpoint calls
    • Access to standard place data
  • Pro Endpoints$0.00375/per call
    • Basic place search
    • Details and photos
  • Premium Endpoints$18.75/per 1000 calls
    • Photos
    • Tips
    • Hours

Which should you pick?

Choose OsmAnd if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery.
OsmAnd review

Choose Foursquare Places API if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
Foursquare Places API review

Questions people ask

Is OsmAnd or Foursquare Places API better?
Neither clearly leads. OsmAnd starts at Free and Foursquare Places API at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OsmAnd or Foursquare Places API?
OsmAnd starts at Free and Foursquare Places API at Free.
Does OsmAnd or Foursquare Places API run on more platforms?
OsmAnd runs on iOS, Android, Desktop Editor, Huawei AppGallery. Foursquare Places API runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use OsmAnd for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is OsmAnd best used for?
OsmAnd is most often used for offline navigation in areas with no data connection, turn-by-turn voice guided driving, bicycle and pedestrian routing, hiking and trail running navigation. Of those, offline navigation in areas with no data connection and turn-by-turn voice guided driving are not what Foursquare Places API is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OsmAnd: Does OsmAnd work offline?

Yes. OsmAnd works fully offline after downloading maps for specific regions. Route calculation, turn-by-turn navigation, and POI search all work without an internet connection.

Source
Foursquare Places API: How much free usage does Foursquare Places API provide?

All developer accounts receive $200 per month in free usage credits. After these are consumed, pay-as-you-go pricing applies. Pro endpoints have 500 free calls monthly, while premium endpoints have no free tier.

Source
OsmAnd: What is OsmAnd's pricing?

OsmAnd Free version is available with limitations including only 7 map downloads allowed at once and no 3D map views. OsmAnd Pro subscription costs 2.99 euros per month or 29.99 euros per year, offering 3D maps, hourly map refreshes, and cloud storage.

Source
Foursquare Places API: What data does Foursquare Places API provide?

Foursquare provides a dataset of 100M+ places across 200 countries with 50+ attributes per place, including venue details, categories, hours, ratings, photos, and tips.

Source
OsmAnd: What maps does OsmAnd use?

OsmAnd uses free OpenStreetMap data, which is updated monthly or hourly through OsmAnd Live. Wikipedia POI data is available for sightseeing, and users can add optional online tile map overlays.

Source
Foursquare Places API: What are the pricing tiers for premium endpoints?

Premium endpoints like photos, tips, hours, and ratings cost $18.75 per 1,000 calls with no free tier available. Pricing scales with usage.

Source
OsmAnd: Can I use OsmAnd on iOS and Android?

Yes. OsmAnd is available on both iOS via Apple App Store and Android via Google Play Store, with identical offline functionality on both platforms.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on OsmAnd

More on Foursquare Places API

Keep looking

Other head to heads