Other mapping options.
WHAT ALTERNATIVES EXIST
Open mapping data, with self-hosted or third-party tile services Other commercial map providers Static images from open data
WHAT THEY PROVIDE
Lower or no per-request cost Freedom from usage terms restricting caching and storage
WHAT THEY COST
Data quality varying by region More work to operate Fewer capabilities
WHAT TO COMPARE
Coverage and accuracy in your specific area.
WHY THAT SPECIFICALLY
Global comparisons are meaningless. What matters is whether the streets and places your users need are correct.
HOW TO COMPARE
Check a sample of real addresses your users would enter.
WHAT SUITS COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Places data, autocomplete and business information Traffic-aware routing
WHAT SUITS OPEN DATA
Displaying a map Basic routing High-volume display where cost matters
WHAT MANY APPLICATIONS DO
Use open data for display, and a commercial service for search and routing.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE SWITCHING
Whether the coverage is adequate for your users.
