OpenRouteServicevs
Google Maps Platform
Google Maps Platform: Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google
OpenRouteService
Open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises
As of 29 August 2026, OpenRouteService is free to use. OpenRouteService provides open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises. Softwr lists it under Maps. OpenRouteService is available on Web.
Overview
What OpenRouteService does
OpenRouteService provides open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises.
What people use it for
- Directions routing for cars, trucks, bikes, walking, hiking, wheelchair
- Reachability analysis with isochrones for time and distance calculations
- Many-to-many distance matrix calculations
- Location geocoding and conversion to coordinates
- Points of interest discovery and mapping
- Elevation data enrichment using SRTM satellite data
- Vehicle routing problem optimization
The honest half
Where it falls short
Concrete and checkable, so you can decide whether any of them matter to you. This is the half of a review a vendor will not write about OpenRouteService.
- Free tier limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
- API restrictions exist but details not fully documented on main page
- Specific pricing tiers and costs not published on primary website
Cross-shopped
What people choose instead of OpenRouteService
Each pairing was judged by two reviewers asking whether a buyer would genuinely weigh the two against each other. The ones that failed were deleted rather than published.
- OpenRouteServicevsMapbox
Mapbox: Location data platform for mobile and web applications
- OpenRouteServicevsHERE Technologies
HERE Technologies: Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally
- OpenRouteServicevsApple Maps
Apple Maps: Web mapping and navigation application developed by Apple Inc
Capabilities
Features
Core Functionality
Essential features for everyday use
User Interface
Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Answered, with sources
Questions people ask
Each answer names the page it came from, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
How much does OpenRouteService cost?
OpenRouteService is free to use and open source. The free tier includes up to 500 Isochrones requests per day. Specific pricing for higher usage tiers is not published on the main pricing page.
SourceIs there a free version of OpenRouteService?
Yes, OpenRouteService is completely free to use and built on open source technology. All services are presented as free to use and based on user-generated and collaboratively collected geographic data from OpenStreetMap.
SourceKeep looking
Where to go from OpenRouteService
- OpenRouteService alternativesEvery product people weigh against it
- OpenRouteService pricingPlans, floors and what the tiers exclude
- OpenRouteService badgesWhich rules it meets, and the figure behind each
- All Maps softwareThe full category
- Best Maps softwareThe shortlist, and how it was cut
Best Maps software for
Compare OpenRouteService with
- Google Maps Platform
- Mapbox
- HERE Technologies
- Apple Maps
- Geoapify
- LocationIQ
- Stadia Maps
- OsmAnd
- Bing Maps
- GraphHopper
- MapTiler
- MAPS.ME
- OSRM
- Polaris Navigation GPS
- PositionStack
- Radar
- SAGA GIS
- Stadia Maps
Other Maps software
Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google
Free, then $100/mo13 researched notesLocation data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally
Free plan15 researched notesGeocoding, routing, map tiles, and place search APIs for developers building location-aware applications
Free plan10 researched notesHigh-performance map tiles, routing, geocoding, and search APIs for developers with reliable
Free plan10 researched notesOpen-source map and navigation application based on OpenStreetMap data
Free, then €2.99/mo11 researched notesWeb mapping services with street maps, aerial imagery, and APIs for developers
9 researched notesOpen-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation
14 researched notesMap hosting, styling, and APIs for developers with beautiful pre-built map styles
Free plan13 researched notesFree, offline maps application based on OpenStreetMap data
Free, then $4.99/mo11 researched notes- O
OSRM
High-performance open-source routing engine designed for OpenStreetMap data, providing fast route calculations
Free plan6 researched notes Professional GPS navigation for outdoor professionals
Free, then $5.99/one-time4 researched notesFree, developer-friendly geocoding API for forward and reverse geocoding with global coverage
14 researched notesGeofencing, trip tracking, and location-based search APIs that power location features in
From $0.02/monthly tracked user9 researched notesOpen source terrain and geoscientific analysis with no vendor and no support contract available
Open source12 researched notesHigh-performance map tiles, routing, geocoding, and search APIs for developers with reliable
Free plan10 researched notes
Softwr does not host reviews and shows no star rating for OpenRouteService, because a rating we did not collect is not ours to publish. What is here is the pricing and platform detail from the vendor’s own pages, limitations we could state concretely, and alternatives a reviewer confirmed people weigh against it. Tell us if any of it is wrong.
More on OpenRouteService
OpenRouteService alternatives
What people switch to, and what they give up
OpenRouteService pricing
Every tier, and where the cost actually lands
Compare OpenRouteService
Put it head to head with anything we hold
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