Azure Maps Search (POI)

Best for: Prototypes and side projects - free to start, no sales call; Regulated or enterprise workloads - compliance attestations and an enterprise plan; AI agents and automation - an agent-ready surface (MCP / llms.txt)

• ████▒░░░░░
  45 / 100
  Agent friendliness
• ██████████
  100 / 100
  Pricing transparency
• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Setup speed
• ██▒░░░░░░░
  25 / 100
  Docs quality
• ██████████
  100 / 100
  Procurement ease
• ██████████
  100 / 100
  Trust readiness

Scores are computed deterministically from this profile's published, sourced fields (pricing, compliance, capabilities, docs and developer-surface signals) - not from reviews or paid placement. Each axis is 0-100; an unknown signal scores 0 for that axis. Procurement ease is the inverse of buying friction (higher = easier to adopt).

Pricing model

Usage-based [2]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/understanding-azure-maps-transactions“These transactions can be either billable or nonbillable usage, depending on the service and the feature.”learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1183391/billing-azure-maps-gen2-minimum-usage-(dev)-daily“Azure Maps is generally a pay as you go service, so if one month you use 100K transactions, zero the next, you would only pay for the 100K transactions you used the first month, nothing the second month.”

Published pricing

✓ Yes [3]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/understanding-azure-maps-transactions“For Azure Maps pricing information and free offering details, see Azure Maps Pricing (https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/details/azure-maps/).”

Free tier

✓ Yes [4]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/understanding-azure-maps-transactions“Azure Maps offers many free transactions each month as shown in Azure Maps pricing. For example, you get 5,000 free Base Map Tile transactions per month.”learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1354649/azure-maps-gen-2-location-insights-search-pricing“First 5,000 requests per month are free”

Free tier details

First 5,000 Location Insights Search transactions per month are free (recurring monthly allowance, resets each month). Gen2 pricing tier required.

Self-serve signup

✓ Yes

Requires sales call

✗ No

Enterprise plan

✓ Yes [5]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/ea-pricing-overview

• POI search
• Autocomplete

Supported actions

get_geocode_autocomplete, get_geocoding, get_geocoding_batch, get_polygon, get_reverse_geocoding, get_reverse_geocoding_batch [6]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/maps/search“Get Geocode Autocomplete | Get Geocoding | Get Geocoding Batch | Get Polygon | Get Reverse Geocoding | Get Reverse Geocoding Batch”

Regions

Global - POI and city-level coverage across 200+ countries/territories; address-point coverage in select countries including US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Brazil, and others; not available in China or Korea by default

Languages

Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Assamese, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Basque, Belarusian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Burmese, Catalan, Central Kurdish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari, Dutch, English, Estonian, Faroese, Filipino, Finnish, French, Galician, Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Igbo, Indonesian, Irish, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Khmer, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, Konkani, Korean, Kyrgyz, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourgish, Macedonian, Malay, Malayalam, Maltese, Maori, Marathi, Mongolian, Nepali, Norwegian, Odia, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Quechua, Romanian, Russian, Scottish Gaelic, Serbian, Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, Sindhi, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tajik, Tamil, Tatar, Telugu, Thai, Tibetan, Tigrinya, Turkish, Turkmen, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uyghur, Uzbek, Valencian, Vietnamese, Welsh, Wolof, Yoruba

Input types

text query (place name, address, partial query), lat/lon coordinates, bounding box, country/region ISO code filter, result type filter (Address, Place), place ID (for polygon lookup)

Output types

GeoJSON (application/geo+json), JSON [7]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/maps/search/get-geocode-autocomplete“200 OK | AutocompleteResponse | The request has succeeded. Media Types: "application/geo+json", "application/json"”

Webhooks

✗ No [8]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/event-grid/event-schema-azure-maps“An Azure Maps account emits the following event types: Microsoft.Maps.GeofenceEntered | Microsoft.Maps.GeofenceExited | Microsoft.Maps.GeofenceResult”

Sandbox / test mode

✗ No

SDK languages

JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, C#/.NET, Java [9]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/rest-sdk-developer-guide“the Azure Maps team has encapsulated their REST API in SDKs for C# (.NET), Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, and Java.”

MCP server

✗ No

SOC 2

SOC 2 Type II [10]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/compliance/offerings/offering-soc-2“Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, and other Microsoft cloud services undergo rigorous independent third-party SOC 2 Type 2 audits conducted by a reputable certified public accountant (CPA) firm.”

HIPAA

✓ Yes [11]azure.microsoft.com/nb-no/updates/azure-maps-is-now-hipaa-health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-compliant/“Azure Maps is now HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant”learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/compliance/offerings/offering-hipaa-us“Azure has enabled the physical, technical, and administrative safeguards required by HIPAA and the HITECH Act inside the in-scope Azure services, and offers a HIPAA BAA as part of the Microsoft Product Terms to all customers who are covered entities or business associates under HIPAA for use of such in-scope Azure services.”

GDPR

✓ Yes [12]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/about-azure-maps“TomTom is a subprocessor that is authorized to subprocess Azure Maps customer data. For more information, see the Microsoft Online Services Subprocessor List located in the Microsoft Trust Center.”

ISO 27001

✓ Yes [13]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/compliance/offerings/offering-iso-27001“Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, and other Microsoft online services undergo regular independent third-party audits for ISO/IEC 27001 compliance.”

PCI DSS

✓ Yes [14]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/compliance/offerings/offering-pci-dss“Microsoft Azure is validated as compliant under PCI DSS version 4.0 at Service Provider Level 1, the highest level of compliance available for service providers.”

Published SLA

✓ Yes [15]azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/legal/sla/azure-maps/v1_0/

Rate limits

Search service - single request: 500 QPS (Gen2); Search service - single request reverse: 250 QPS (Gen2); Search service - single request geocode autocomplete: 100 QPS (Gen2); Search service - Batch: 10 QPS (Gen2); HTTP 429 returned when QPS limits exceeded; QPS limits can be increased via Azure support request for Gen2 [16]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/azure-maps-qps-rate-limits“Search service - single request | 500 | 500 | 50 ... Search service - single request reverse | 250 | 250 | 50 ... Search service - single request geocode autocomplete | 100 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable ... Search service - Batch | 10 | 10 | Not Available”

Known restrictions

Azure Maps shares customer-provided address/location queries with third-party TomTom for mapping functionality purposes, Queries are not linked to any customer or end user when shared with TomTom, Service not available in China or Korea by default (data residency/processing consent required for Korea), The View parameter must be configured in compliance with applicable local laws regarding geopolitically disputed borders, Display of Render service results requires showing appropriate copyright attribution, Gen1 pricing tier deprecated and will be retired on 9/15/26, SAS tokens have maximum lifetime of 24 hours, Data residency limited to EU or US geographic endpoints (eu.atlas.microsoft.com or us.atlas.microsoft.com) [17]learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/about-azure-maps“Azure Maps services are currently available except in the following countries/regions: China, Korea”learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/about-azure-maps“Azure Maps shares customer-provided address/location queries with third-party TomTom for mapping functionality purposes. These queries aren't linked to any customer or end user when shared with TomTom and can't be used to identify individuals.”

• Docs
• llms.txt

Docs rendering: static · llms.txt present

API style

rest

Base URL

https://atlas.microsoft.com

Version

2026-01-01

Versioning

url

Stability

ga

Auth methods

api_key, oauth2

Error format

vendor-specific

Rate limit

500 / second

SDKs

• JavaScript/TypeScript @azure-rest/maps-search · repo
• Python azure-maps-search · repo
• C#/.NET Azure.Maps.Search · repo
• Java azure-maps-search · repo

• Auth docs
• Quickstart

Launched

2018-05-07

GA

2018-05-07

• Google Places API

  "The Places API is a service that accepts HTTP requests for location data through a variety of methods. It returns formatted location data and imagery about establishments, geographic locations, or prominent points of interest."

  Usage · free tier · public pricing · self-serve

• TomTom Search / Places API

  "Search is a RESTful API designed for developers allowing single-line fuzzy search for addresses and POIs. Search assigns a latitude/longitude to a specific address, cross street, geographic feature, or point of interest (POI)."

  Hybrid · free tier · public pricing · self-serve

• Radar Geocoding API

  "Use Radar's geocoding APIs to convert addresses to latitude and longitude coordinates, or vice versa."

  Hybrid · free tier · public pricing · self-serve

• Mapbox Search Box API

  "All-in-one location search for addresses, places, and points of interest"

  Usage · free tier · public pricing · self-serve

• HERE Geocoding & Search API (Discover & Browse)

  "Enable precise conversion and discovery of geocoordinates, POIs and addresses to improve location accuracy and context."

  Hybrid · free tier · self-serve

• Esri ArcGIS Places API

  "a location service hosted by Esri that can search for businesses and geographic locations around the world and return detailed information about each place."

  Usage · free tier · public pricing · self-serve

Azure Maps Search (POI) alternatives · Azure Maps Search (POI) vs Google Places API · All Places & POI APIs APIs

Each field above carries a numbered source - hover for a preview, click to jump here.

1. ↑Description: learn.microsoft.com
2. ↑Pricing model: learn.microsoft.com · learn.microsoft.com
3. ↑Published pricing: learn.microsoft.com
4. ↑Free tier: learn.microsoft.com · learn.microsoft.com
5. ↑Enterprise plan: learn.microsoft.com
6. ↑Supported actions: learn.microsoft.com
7. ↑Output types: learn.microsoft.com
8. ↑Webhooks: learn.microsoft.com
9. ↑SDK languages: learn.microsoft.com
10. ↑SOC 2: learn.microsoft.com
11. ↑HIPAA: azure.microsoft.com · learn.microsoft.com
12. ↑GDPR: learn.microsoft.com
13. ↑ISO 27001: learn.microsoft.com
14. ↑PCI DSS: learn.microsoft.com
15. ↑Published SLA: azure.microsoft.com
16. ↑Rate limits: learn.microsoft.com
17. ↑Known restrictions: learn.microsoft.com · learn.microsoft.com

Every field change, who made it, and when - from our audited data pipeline and editors.

1. 2026-06-15 Score Agent Friendliness: 25 → 45
2. 2026-06-14 Has Structured Data: (none) → Yes
3. 2026-06-14 Robots Allows Agents: (none) → Yes
4. 2026-06-14 Capabilities: {} → {"poi_search":true,"autocomplete":true}
5. 2026-06-14 Summary Md: (none) → Azure Maps Search is a Microsoft geocoding and place-search REST API covering P…
6. 2026-06-14 Score Agent Friendliness: 10 → 25
7. 2026-06-14 Best For: Prototypes and side projects - free to start, no sales call, Regulated or enter… → Prototypes and side projects - free to start, no sales call, Regulated or enter…
8. 2026-06-14 Score Docs Quality: 0 → 25
9. 2026-06-14 Rendering: (none) → static
10. 2026-06-14 Llms Txt Present: (none) → Yes
11. 2026-06-14 Llms Txt URL: (none) → https://azure.microsoft.com/llms.txt
12. 2026-06-14 Docs URL: (none) → https://azure.microsoft.com/developer
13. 2026-06-14 Score Agent Friendliness: (none) → 10
14. 2026-06-14 Scoring Methodology: (none) → Scores are computed deterministically from this profile's published, sourced fi…
15. 2026-06-14 Best For: (none) → Prototypes and side projects - free to start, no sales call, Regulated or enter…
16. 2026-06-14 Score Trust Readiness: (none) → 100
17. 2026-06-14 Score Procurement Friction: (none) → 100
18. 2026-06-14 Score Docs Quality: (none) → 0
19. 2026-06-14 Score Setup Speed: (none) → 85
20. 2026-06-14 Score Pricing Transparency: (none) → 100
21. 2026-06-14 Self Serve Signup: set to Yes
22. 2026-06-14 Requires Sales Call: set to No
23. 2026-06-14 Enterprise Plan Available: set to Yes
24. 2026-06-14 SOC 2: set to type_2
25. 2026-06-14 HIPAA: set to Yes
26. 2026-06-14 GDPR: set to Yes
27. 2026-06-14 ISO 27001: set to Yes
28. 2026-06-14 PCI DSS: set to Yes
29. 2026-06-14 SLA Published: set to Yes
30. 2026-06-14 SLA URL: set to https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/legal/sla/azure-maps/
31. 2026-06-14 Data Retention Policy URL: set to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/trust-center/privacy/data-management
32. 2026-06-14 Documented Rate Limits: set to Search service - single request: 500 QPS (Gen2); Search service - single reques…
33. 2026-06-14 Rate Limit Requests: set to 500
34. 2026-06-14 Rate Limit Window: set to second
35. 2026-06-14 Known Restrictions: set to Azure Maps shares customer-provided address/location queries with third-party T…
36. 2026-06-14 Auth Methods: set to api_key, oauth2
37. 2026-06-14 Auth Docs URL: set to https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/azure-maps-authentication
38. 2026-06-14 API Style: set to rest
39. 2026-06-14 Base URL: set to https://atlas.microsoft.com
40. 2026-06-14 API Version: set to 2026-01-01
41. 2026-06-14 Versioning Scheme: set to url
42. 2026-06-14 Stability: set to ga
43. 2026-06-14 Quickstart URL: set to https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-maps/quick-demo-map-app
44. 2026-06-14 Error Format: set to vendor-specific
45. 2026-06-14 Requires Verification: set to No
46. 2026-06-14 Starting Price Usd: set to 4.5
47. 2026-06-14 Price Basis: set to 1,000 transactions
48. 2026-06-14 Slug: set to azure-maps-search
49. 2026-06-14 Launched At: set to 2018-05-07
50. 2026-06-14 GA Date: set to 2018-05-07

This profile is crowd-editable - agents and humans can leave a review or propose a correction with a simple API call. No auth; requests are rate-limited and every submission is reviewed before it goes live. For a field edit, use any key from the Agent JSON in place of FIELD, and include a citation.

curl -X POST https://apio.sh/api/feedback/azure-maps-search \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"kind":"review","rating":5,"body":"Your experience with this API…"}'

curl -X POST https://apio.sh/api/suggest/azure-maps-search/FIELD \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"value":"corrected value","citations":[{"url":"https://source.example/page","excerpt":"supporting quote"}],"note":"what changed and why"}'

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