Best Places & POI APIs

Best overall: Azure Maps Search (POI)

███████▒░░ 76 / 100 data score

Azure Maps Search is a Microsoft geocoding and place-search REST API covering POI lookup, address autocomplete, reverse geocoding, and batch geocoding across 200+ countries, suited for web and mobile applications needing geographic context. Pricing is usage-based at $4.50 per 1,000 transactions with a 5,000 transaction free tier per month and self-serve signup. SDKs are available for JavaScript, Python, C#, and Java, with OAuth2 and API key auth supported. The service carries SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR compliance, though address queries are shared with TomTom for mapping functionality and the service is not available by default in China or Korea.

From $4.50 1,000 transactions · free tier available.

How it stacks up

• ✓ On compliance, Azure Maps Search (POI) additionally documents HIPAA.
• ✓ On compliance, Azure Maps Search (POI) additionally documents SOC 2, HIPAA.
• ✓ On compliance, Azure Maps Search (POI) additionally documents HIPAA.

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).

Azure Maps Search (POI) profile → · Azure Maps Search (POI) vs Google Places API →

At a glance

Quick pick by use case

If you only have thirty seconds, find your situation:

• If you want the strongest all-round pick, pick Azure Maps Search (POI) - our default pick: strongest across pricing, trust and breadth.
• If you want to start free, pick Azure Maps Search (POI) - free tier: First 5,000 Location Insights Search transactions per month are free (recurring monthly a….
• If you're buying for a regulated or large team, pick Azure Maps Search (POI) - for regulated or large teams: SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, published SLA.
• If you want the lowest published entry price, pick Radar Geocoding API - from $0.50 1,000 requests to start; compare on your real usage, not the entry price.
• If you're wiring this into coding agents or AI workflows, pick Azure Maps Search (POI) - easiest to wire up programmatically: llms.txt.
• If you want the broadest documented surface, pick Yelp Fusion API - 21 documented actions; breadth isn't quality, but it's the most to build on.

The picks in depth

• #1 Azure Maps Search (POI)

  ███████▒░░ 76 / 100
  • Best overall
  • Best free pick
  • Best for enterprise
  • Best for agents

  Azure Maps Search is a Microsoft geocoding and place-search REST API covering POI lookup, address autocomplete, reverse geocoding, and batch geocoding across 200+ countries, suited for web and mobile applications needing geographic context. Pricing is usage-based at $4.50 per 1,000 transactions with a 5,000 transaction free tier per month and self-serve signup. SDKs are available for JavaScript, Python, C#, and Java, with OAuth2 and API key auth supported. The service carries SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR compliance, though address queries are shared with TomTom for mapping functionality and the service is not available by default in China or Korea.

  PricingUsage · from $4.50 1,000 transactions · free tier ✓

  TrustSOC 2 Type II · HIPAA · GDPR · ISO 27001 · PCI DSS

  Does

  • POI search
  • Autocomplete

  Strengthstransparent public pricing · a free tier · self-serve signup

  ScoresAgent 45 · Pricing 100 · Setup 85 · Docs 25 · Procurement 100 · Trust 100

  Azure Maps Search (POI) profile →

• #2 Google Places API

  ███████▒░░ 74 / 100

  Google Places API is a REST service that returns location data, imagery, and details for establishments, geographic locations, and points of interest, serving use cases such as nearby search, autocomplete, store locators, and AI-powered review summaries. Pricing is usage-based starting at $5.00 per 1,000 requests, with a free tier of 10,000 requests per month per SKU on the Essentials tier and unlimited free access for ID-only searches and Autocomplete sessions. The API supports self-serve signup, offers SDKs for Android, iOS, JavaScript, Python, Go, Node.js, and Java, and holds SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications with GDPR compliance.

  PricingUsage · from $5 1,000 requests · free tier ✓

  TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001

  Does

  • POI search
  • Nearby / radius
  • Autocomplete
  • Place details
  • Reviews / ratings
  • Photos

  Used byDozens, ZEISS Vision Care, Via

  Strengthstransparent public pricing · a free tier · self-serve signup

  The catchThe richest POI and reviews coverage, but place content cannot be pre-fetched or cached, so every render is a billable call.

  ScoresAgent 50 · Pricing 100 · Setup 85 · Docs 35 · Procurement 100 · Trust 75

  Google Places API profile →

• #3 TomTom Search / Places API

  ██████░░░░ 60 / 100

  TomTom Search / Places API is a REST service covering geocoding, reverse geocoding, fuzzy place search, POI discovery, autocomplete, along-route search, and EV charging station lookup across approximately 190 countries. Pricing starts at $2.50 per 1,000 requests with a free tier of 2,500 non-tile requests per day requiring no credit card, plus enterprise plans. The API authenticates via API key, offers a JavaScript/TypeScript SDK and an MCP server, and holds ISO 27001 certification with GDPR compliance. Automotive customers including Volkswagen Group, Stellantis, Toyota, and BMW Motorrad represent its strongest deployment vertical.

  PricingHybrid · from $2.50 1,000 requests · free tier ✓

  TrustGDPR · ISO 27001

  Does

  • POI search
  • Nearby / radius
  • Autocomplete
  • Place details

  Used byVolkswagen Group (CARIAD), Stellantis, Daimler, BMW Motorrad

  Strengthstransparent public pricing · a free tier · self-serve signup

  Avoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements

  ScoresAgent 40 · Pricing 100 · Setup 75 · Docs 15 · Procurement 100 · Trust 30

  TomTom Search / Places API profile →

• #4 Radar Geocoding API

  ███████░░░ 69 / 100
  • Cheapest to start

  Radar Geocoding API converts addresses to coordinates and coordinates to addresses via forward, reverse, and IP geocoding, covering 195+ countries with varying coverage tiers. It targets developers building store locators, delivery tracking, and content localization apps, with mobile SDKs for iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter. Pricing starts at $0.50 per 1,000 requests with a 100,000 request per month free tier and self-serve signup. The service is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant, with customers including Lululemon, Pizza Hut, and TaskRabbit.

  PricingHybrid · from $0.50 1,000 requests · free tier ✓

  TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR

  Used byDICK'S Sporting Goods, Inspire Brands, bet365, Pizza Hut

  Strengthstransparent public pricing · a free tier · self-serve signup

  ScoresAgent 45 · Pricing 100 · Setup 85 · Docs 45 · Procurement 100 · Trust 40

  Radar Geocoding API profile →

• #5 Mapbox Search Box API

  ███████▒░░ 74 / 100

  Mapbox Search Box API is a REST-based location search service covering addresses, places, and points of interest across 80+ countries, with a dataset of 330 million POIs and 375 million addresses globally. It is priced per session at $11.50 per 1,000 sessions, with a free tier of 500 sessions per month and self-serve signup, making it accessible for small projects and scalable to enterprise. SDKs are available for JavaScript, React, iOS, and Android, and an MCP server is also available. The service is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant, with a published SLA.

  PricingUsage · from $11.50 1,000 sessions · free tier ✓

  TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR

  Does

  • POI search
  • Nearby / radius
  • Autocomplete
  • Place details

  Used byToyota, General Motors, ANWB, Tripadvisor

  Strengthstransparent public pricing · a free tier · self-serve signup

  ScoresAgent 55 · Pricing 100 · Setup 85 · Docs 45 · Procurement 100 · Trust 60

  Mapbox Search Box API profile →

• #6 HERE Geocoding & Search API (Discover & Browse)

  ██████░░░░ 60 / 100

  HERE Geocoding and Search API provides address-to-coordinate conversion, reverse geocoding, place discovery, autocomplete, and category-based browsing across a global dataset of 400 million addresses and 120 million places spanning 100-plus countries. It targets fleet operators, navigation apps, and store locator builders, with notable deployments at BMW, Urbantz, EROAD, and GreenRoad. Pricing starts at $0.83 per 1,000 requests under a hybrid model that includes a free monthly tier (up to 30,000 requests) with self-serve signup and no sales call required. The API is REST-based with API key and OAuth2 auth, holds SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, and is GDPR compliant, though results may not be cached beyond 30 days or used for AI training.

  PricingHybrid · free tier ✓

  TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001

  Does

  • POI search
  • Nearby / radius
  • Autocomplete
  • Place details

  Used byBMW, Urbantz, EROAD, GreenRoad

  Strengthsa free tier · self-serve signup · SOC 2 Type II

  Avoid ifYou need transparent pricing up front

  ScoresAgent 35 · Pricing 55 · Setup 80 · Docs 35 · Procurement 80 · Trust 75

  HERE Geocoding & Search API (Discover & Browse) profile →

• #7 Esri ArcGIS Places API

  ██████▒░░░ 65 / 100

  Esri ArcGIS Places API is a hosted location service that searches for businesses and points of interest across more than 170 countries, returning details such as contact information, hours, ratings, and category metadata. It suits developers building store locators or location-aware apps, with a REST interface supporting API key and OAuth 2.0 auth. Pricing is usage-based at $8 per 1,000 searches, with a free tier of 500 searches and 100 place-detail lookups per month. The service is GDPR-compliant and ISO 27001 certified, backed by a published SLA, though permanent storage of place data is prohibited and attribution is required in all applications.

  PricingUsage · from $8 1,000 search requests · free tier ✓

  TrustGDPR · ISO 27001

  Does

  • POI search
  • Nearby / radius
  • Place details

  Strengthstransparent public pricing · a free tier · self-serve signup

  Avoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements

  ScoresAgent 30 · Pricing 100 · Setup 75 · Docs 35 · Procurement 100 · Trust 50

  Esri ArcGIS Places API profile →

• #8 Foursquare Places API

  ███████░░░ 73 / 100

  Foursquare Places API provides access to a global database of 100 million-plus points of interest across 200-plus countries, supporting place search, autocomplete, geotagging, place matching, and venue metadata enrichment for location-aware apps. Pricing is usage-based at $15 per 1,000 requests with a free tier of 500 Pro calls per month and self-serve signup, plus an enterprise plan with a published SLA and 100 QPS rate limit. SDKs are available for JavaScript and Python, and an MCP server is offered for AI agent integrations. Customers include Uber, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and Tinder, and use requires "Powered by Foursquare" attribution wherever Places data appears.

  PricingUsage · from $15 1,000 requests · free tier ✓

  TrustGDPR

  Does

  • POI search
  • Nearby / radius
  • Autocomplete
  • Place details
  • Reviews / ratings
  • Photos

  Used byX (Twitter), Samsung, Telegram, Atmosfy

  Strengthstransparent public pricing · a free tier · self-serve signup

  Avoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements

  ScoresAgent 65 · Pricing 100 · Setup 80 · Docs 55 · Procurement 100 · Trust 35

  Foursquare Places API profile →

See all 14 Places & POI APIs compared →

How we rank

The headline score is the average of six 0-100 axes computed only from each API’s published, sourced fields: agent-friendliness, pricing transparency, setup speed, docs quality, procurement ease, and trust readiness. An unknown signal scores 0 for its axis - we credit what’s confirmed, never guess. The score is one input, not the verdict: we lead with each pick’s trade-off, and where a job has only one real option we say so rather than crown it. Full method on the methodology page.

Listed but never a headline pick: SafeGraph Places - Bulk POI dataset licensing (six-figure annual), not a self-serve per-call API; listed for coverage comparison, not for building against.

Why trust apio

• ✓ Every field cited. Each profile links the source for every claim - check us.
• ✓ Public audit log. Every change to this data is recorded per field, with who changed it and why.
• ✓ Published, deterministic methodology. The score is a formula over the same fields you can see - recompute it yourself.
• ✓ Zero affiliate links, zero ads, zero paid placement. Money never moves rank.
• ✓ No reviews yet - and we say so rather than synthesizing them.

Frequently asked questions