Softwr

Maps · head to head

Stadia Maps vs SW Maps

S

Stadia Maps

Maps

High-performance map tiles, routing, geocoding, and search APIs for developers with reliable

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SW Maps logo

SW Maps

Maps

Free Android GIS data collector that pairs with external RTK GNSS receivers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stadia Maps limited customization features compared to Mapbox; SW Maps android only. There is no iOS version and no sign of one, which rules it out for organisations that issue iPhones and iPads to field staff.
  • They diverge on capability: Stadia Maps covers Core Functionality, SW Maps covers Custom feature layers.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stadia Maps and SW Maps actually diverge.

Attributes where Stadia Maps and SW Maps differ
AttributeStadia MapsSW Maps
Pricing modelUnknownOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWeb, JavaScriptAndroid
Founded2016Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Stadia Maps

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in SW Maps

  • Custom feature layers
  • External GNSS support
  • Offline basemaps
  • Geospatial PDF layers
  • Vector import
  • Photo and media capture
  • Export formats
  • NTRIP client

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Stadia Maps

No use cases recorded yet. See the Stadia Maps review.

SW Maps

  • An NGO or municipal utility mapping water points, pipe networks or road assets on a budget that cannot absorb per-user GIS subscriptionsnot Stadia Maps
  • A survey team pairing a low-cost RTK receiver with Android tablets to collect centimetre-accurate attributed features without buying field software seatsnot Stadia Maps
  • A university field course teaching GNSS data collection where every student needs the tool on their own devicenot Stadia Maps
  • A consultant doing a one-off asset inventory who needs shapefile or GeoPackage output and does not want to start an annual subscription for a three-week jobnot Stadia Maps

Where each one falls short

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

Stadia Maps

  • Limited customization features compared to Mapbox
  • Relies entirely on OpenStreetMap data, inheriting its accuracy and coverage limitations
  • Smaller service with fewer community resources and support options compared to Google Maps or Mapbox
  • Limited real-time traffic data compared to larger mapping providers like Google Maps

SW Maps

  • Android only. There is no iOS version and no sign of one, which rules it out for organisations that issue iPhones and iPads to field staff.
  • There is no back end: no user management, no central project sync, no audit trail. Data lives on the device until someone exports it, and a lost tablet is lost data.
  • No commercial support contract exists, so an organisation with a compliance requirement for vendor support cannot use it for regulated work regardless of technical fit.
  • It is maintained by a small consultancy as a side product of its own project work, so the roadmap follows Softwel’s needs and a feature you depend on may never be prioritised.
  • Form logic is basic compared with dedicated survey platforms: no meaningful skip logic, validation or multi-user assignment, so complex questionnaires quickly outgrow it.

Pricing, plan by plan

Stadia Maps

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Stadia Maps review.

SW Maps

Free
  • SW MapsFree
    • All features included
    • External RTK GNSS support
    • Unlimited layers and exports

Which should you pick?

Choose Stadia Maps if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, JavaScript.
  • You also want user interface.
Stadia Maps review

Choose SW Maps if

  • You need custom feature layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android.
  • You also want external gnss support.
SW Maps review

Questions people ask

Is Stadia Maps or SW Maps better?
Neither clearly leads. Stadia Maps starts at Free and SW Maps at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stadia Maps or SW Maps?
Stadia Maps starts at Free and SW Maps at Free.
Does Stadia Maps or SW Maps run on more platforms?
Stadia Maps runs on Web, JavaScript. SW Maps runs on Android.
Can I use Stadia Maps for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Stadia Maps do that SW Maps cannot?
Stadia Maps covers Core Functionality, User Interface. SW Maps covers Custom feature layers, External GNSS support, Offline basemaps, Geospatial PDF layers.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Stadia Maps: What is Stadia Maps' pricing model?

Stadia Maps uses a credits-based pricing model with fixed credit pools to prevent billing shock. Starter, Standard, and Professional plans are available, with a 14-day free trial for new accounts.

Source
SW Maps: Is SW Maps really free?

Yes. It is free with no advertising and no paid tier. There is no subscription and no feature paywall.

Stadia Maps: Does Stadia Maps have a free tier?

Yes, Stadia Maps offers a free tier for development, evaluation, and non-commercial use including academic applications.

Source
SW Maps: Does it support RTK receivers?

Yes, over Bluetooth or USB serial, with NTRIP correction support, antenna height and per-point fix quality recording.

Stadia Maps: What data does Stadia Maps use?

Stadia Maps builds on OpenStreetMap data, so the coverage and accuracy depend on OSM's crowdsourced contributors.

Source
SW Maps: Is there an iOS version?

No. Android only.

SW Maps: Who maintains it?

Softwel, an engineering consultancy in Kathmandu, Nepal, which built it for its own infrastructure projects.

SW Maps: Can we get support?

Not contractually. There is no commercial support agreement, which is the main reason organisations with compliance obligations choose a paid alternative.

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