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Maps · head to head

OSRM vs PositionStack

O

OSRM

Maps

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

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 OSRM has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OSRM free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier; 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 OSRM and PositionStack actually diverge.

Attributes where OSRM and PositionStack differ
AttributeOSRMPositionStack
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
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 OSRM

Nothing recorded that PositionStack does not also cover.

Only in PositionStack

Nothing recorded that OSRM 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.

OSRM

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

PositionStack

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

Where each one falls short

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

OSRM

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

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

OSRM

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OSRM review.

PositionStack

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PositionStack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose OSRM if

  • You want to start without paying.
OSRM review

Choose PositionStack if

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

PositionStack review

Questions people ask

Is OSRM or PositionStack better?
Neither clearly leads. OSRM 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, OSRM or PositionStack?
OSRM has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OSRM and On request for PositionStack.
Does OSRM or PositionStack run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OSRM for free?
Yes. OSRM has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PositionStack starts at On request.
What is OSRM best used for?
OSRM is most often used for calculating efficient delivery routes across continental-sized road networks in milliseconds, building navigation features for mobile apps without constructing routing infrastructure, customizing route optimization for car, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation modes, integrating openstreetmap data for real-time routing in web applications. Of those, calculating efficient delivery routes across continental-sized road networks in milliseconds and building navigation features for mobile apps without constructing routing infrastructure are not what PositionStack is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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