Maps APIs
Map tiles, static maps, and basemap SDKs for displaying interactive and static maps.
TL;DR: Top pick: Azure Maps Render (Map Tiles). 15 APIs compared, 15 with a free tier; cheapest published entry $14 month (Protomaps). Why →
What is a Maps API?
A Maps API lets developers map tiles, static maps, and basemap sdks for displaying interactive and static maps over HTTP. The Maps APIs below are compared on pricing, compliance, capabilities, and developer experience from structured, cited data.
| # | API | Pricing | Free | Self-serve | SOC 2 | HIPAA | GDPR | Webhooks | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azure Maps Render (Map Tiles) | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 17 |
| 2 | Google Maps Platform (Maps JavaScript API, Static Maps & Map Tiles API) | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 23 |
| 3 | Esri ArcGIS Basemap Styles & Map Tiles | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | ? | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 15 |
| 4 | Mapbox Maps (GL JS, Static Images & Vector Tiles) | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 21 |
| 5 | Jawg Maps | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 20 |
| 6 | LocationIQ | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 15 |
| 7 | TomTom Map Display API & Maps SDK | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 14 |
| 8 | Radar Geocoding API | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | · | ✓ | ✓ | 3 |
| 9 | HERE Maps (Maps API for JavaScript & Raster/Vector Tile API) | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 14 |
| 10 | MapTiler Geocoding | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | In progress | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 6 |
| 11 | Protomaps | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | · | ✗ | 13 |
| 12 | Thunderforest Maps | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 10 |
| 13 | Stadia Maps Geocoding & Search | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 6 |
| 14 | Geoapify Geocoding API | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 5 |
| 15 | Apple MapKit JS | Sales-led | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | · | ✗ | 23 |
The APIs
#1 Azure Maps Render (Map Tiles)
76 / 100Azure Maps Render is Microsoft's map tile service for web and mobile applications, delivering raster and vector tiles, satellite imagery, traffic overlays, and static map images via a REST API backed by TomTom basemap data. It is priced at $4.50 per 1,000 transactions with a free tier of 5,000 Base Map Tile transactions per month, and supports self-serve signup without a sales call. SDKs are available for JavaScript, TypeScript, and React, with mobile support via the Web SDK in a WebView. The service carries SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR compliance, and is available globally except China and Korea.
PricingUsage · from $4.50 1,000 transactions · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · HIPAA · GDPR · ISO 27001 · PCI DSSDoesGoogle Maps Platform provides interactive and static map rendering, vector and raster tiles, 3D photorealistic tiles, Street View, and mobile SDKs for iOS, Android, Flutter, and React Native, covering 250+ countries and territories on proprietary data updated 100 million times daily. It suits web and mobile applications ranging from store locators and fleet displays to real estate discovery and geospatial analytics. Pricing starts at $7 per 1,000 map loads with a free tier of 10,000 map loads per month per SKU, self-serve signup, and a published SLA. The platform holds SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, is GDPR compliant, and offers an MCP server alongside API key authentication.
PricingHybrid · from $7 1,000 map loads · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byDomino's, Allstate, Kroger, RedfinThe catchThe richest basemap with 3D, Street View, and global accuracy, but tiles may not be cached or stored, attribution is mandatory, and per-load pricing climbs fast at scale.#3 Esri ArcGIS Basemap Styles & Map Tiles
61 / 100Esri ArcGIS Basemap Styles and Map Tiles is a location service that delivers worldwide basemap styles and geographic data as vector tiles, raster tiles, and static map images, with SDKs for JavaScript, iOS, Kotlin, Flutter, and Leaflet. It suits applications ranging from interactive web maps and store locators to fleet tracking and 3D scene visualization. Pricing is usage-based at $0.15 per 1,000 tiles, with a free tier of 2 million tiles per month, self-serve signup, and no sales call required. The service is GDPR-compliant, ISO 27001 certified, and carries a published SLA, though all applications must display "Powered by Esri" attribution alongside data-source credits.
PricingUsage · from $0.15 1,000 tiles · free tier ✓TrustGDPR · ISO 27001DoesAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirementsMapbox Maps is a mapping platform offering interactive web maps via GL JS, native mobile SDKs for iOS, Android, Flutter, and React Native, static map images, and vector and raster tile APIs, drawing on over 150 data sources with 100,000 map updates per day. It suits developers building location features into consumer apps, dashboards, fleet tools, and store locators. Pricing is usage-based at $0.25 per 1,000 tiles, with a free tier covering 200,000 vector tile requests, 50,000 GL JS map loads, and 50,000 static image requests per month. The service is SOC 2 Type 2 certified, GDPR compliant, and carries a published SLA.
PricingUsage · from $0.25 1,000 tiles · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPRDoesUsed byToyota, General Motors, BMW, Hyundai AutoEver#5 Jawg Maps
56 / 100Jawg Maps is a map design and geolocation platform built on OpenStreetMap data, offering raster and vector tiles, static maps, satellite imagery, geocoding, routing, and elevation APIs alongside iOS, Android, and React Native SDKs. It targets developers embedding interactive or static maps in web and mobile apps, with notable customers including Décathlon, SNCF, and Fnac. Pricing starts at $289 per month for commercial use, with a free tier capped at 25,000 map views per month for non-commercial projects only. The service is GDPR-compliant, requires attribution to both Jawg Maps and OpenStreetMap, and satellite imagery coverage is limited to six European countries.
PricingSubscription · from $289 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byDécathlon, Wonderbox, The Fork, SNCFThe catchAffordable, fully customizable OpenStreetMap maps, but the free tier is non-commercial only and commercial plans start around $289/month.#6 LocationIQ
67 / 100LocationIQ is a global geocoding and mapping API that covers forward and reverse geocoding, address autocomplete, routing, distance matrix, nearby places, and static or interactive maps, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to Google Maps. Paid plans start at $45 per month with a free tier available at 5,000 requests per day and no sales call required for signup. SDKs are available in seven languages including JavaScript, Python, Java, and Rust, and the service publishes both pricing and an SLA, with GDPR compliance and enterprise plans for high-volume needs.
PricingSubscription · from $45 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#7 TomTom Map Display API & Maps SDK
62 / 100TomTom's Map Display API and Maps SDK is a REST-based suite for building interactive web and mobile mapping applications, offering raster and vector tiles, satellite imagery, static maps, custom styles, and native SDKs for JavaScript, Android, and iOS. Coverage spans 235 or more countries and territories using TomTom proprietary data, OpenStreetMap, and Overture Maps Foundation sources, with satellite imagery from Maxar. Pricing is usage-based at $0.08 per 1,000 tiles, with a free tier of 50,000 tile requests per day requiring no credit card. The product holds ISO 27001 certification and GDPR compliance, and counts Microsoft, Uber, Apple, and Huawei among its documented customers.
PricingUsage · from $0.08 1,000 tiles · free tier ✓TrustGDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byMicrosoft, Uber, Apple, HUAWEIAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#8 Radar Geocoding API
69 / 100Radar 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 · GDPRUsed byDICK'S Sporting Goods, Inspire Brands, bet365, Pizza HutHERE Maps provides interactive web maps, raster and vector tile rendering, mobile SDKs for iOS, Android, and Flutter, and supports indoor maps, 3D buildings, satellite imagery, and real-time traffic across 190+ countries using proprietary map data updated daily. It targets logistics, fleet, and location-aware web and mobile applications, with self-serve signup and a free tier of 250,000 transactions per month, then usage-based billing at $1.00 per 1,000 transactions. The service holds SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliance, publishes an SLA, and supports API key and OAuth2 authentication.
PricingUsage · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byBMW, Mercedes-Benz, Uber, LyftAvoid ifYou need transparent pricing up front#10 MapTiler Geocoding
72 / 100MapTiler Geocoding is a REST API offering forward and reverse geocoding, batch processing, address autocomplete, and fuzzy matching across a global dataset, suited for logistics, delivery apps, and store locators. Paid plans start at $25 per month with self-serve signup, and a free tier covers 100,000 requests per month for non-commercial use with mandatory MapTiler logo attribution. The API is GDPR-compliant and ISO 27001 certified, with a published SLA and an enterprise plan available. Notable customers include Met Office, Swisstopo, and Wetter.com.
PricingHybrid · from $25 month · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 In progress · GDPR · ISO 27001Used bySwisstopo, Wetter.com, Met Office, Tagesspiegel#11 Protomaps
53 / 100Protomaps is an open-source mapping platform built around the PMTiles single-file archive format, offering both a hosted vector and raster tile API and full self-hosting options on AWS or Cloudflare. It targets newsrooms, civic technologists, and developers who need privacy-preserving, customizable basemaps without lock-in to proprietary GIS providers. The hosted API is free for non-commercial use up to one million tile requests per month, with commercial access starting at $14 per month via GitHub Sponsors. Customers include The Washington Post, Flickr, and Felt, and it integrates with MapLibre GL JS, Leaflet, and OpenLayers.
PricingSubscription · from $14 month · free tier ✓DoesUsed byFelt, Flickr, The Washington Post, OpenInfraMapThe catchOpen-source basemaps you can self-host from a single PMTiles file for next to nothing, but you bring your own rendering and there is no SLA or support.#12 Thunderforest Maps
58 / 100Thunderforest Maps is a REST-based map tile API serving raster tiles, vector tiles, and static map images for web and mobile developers, with a focus on activity-specific cartography such as cycling, hiking, and transport. Powered by OpenStreetMap data updated within a few hours of edits, it covers global geography and integrates via API key with Leaflet, MapLibre GL JS, and Flutter. A free tier allows 150,000 tile requests per month, with paid subscriptions starting at $125 per month. GDPR compliance is confirmed, though attribution to Thunderforest and OpenStreetMap contributors is required on all maps and cannot be removed.
PricingSubscription · from $125 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byNATS, FCMQ, Pedometer++, PanintelligenceThe catchDistinctive ready-made styles (Outdoors, Transport, Cycle) on OpenStreetMap data, but it is tiles only, with no SDK, geocoding, or routing.#13 Stadia Maps Geocoding & Search
70 / 100Stadia Maps Geocoding and Search is a REST API offering forward, reverse, structured, and bulk geocoding alongside address autocomplete and place lookup, with global coverage suited for logistics, fleet management, emergency dispatch, real estate, and navigation applications. Paid plans start at $20 per month with a free tier of 200,000 credits per month for non-commercial use, and enterprise plans are available without requiring a sales call. SDKs are provided for TypeScript/JavaScript, Python, Kotlin, Swift, and PHP, and an MCP server is available. The service is GDPR compliant, and bulk requests support up to 5,000 queries per call.
PricingHybrid · from $20 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRUsed byHolidayCheck, Relive, Shadowmap, Stay22Avoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#14 Geoapify Geocoding API
63 / 100Geoapify Geocoding API converts addresses to coordinates and back, covering forward geocoding, reverse geocoding, address autocomplete, and asynchronous batch processing of up to 1,000 addresses per request, with global coverage. Pricing starts at $59 per month on a subscription model, and a free tier is available at 3,000 requests per day with attribution required. The REST API uses API key authentication, has a published SLA, and is GDPR compliant, making it a practical fit for logistics, delivery route planning, and location analytics teams in Europe and beyond.
PricingSubscription · from $59 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#15 Apple MapKit JS
40 / 100Apple MapKit JS is a JavaScript library that lets developers embed interactive Apple Maps into websites and web applications, supporting annotations, GeoJSON overlays, satellite and hybrid views, street-level Look Around panoramas, indoor mapping, geocoding, search, and turn-by-turn routing. It draws on Apple's proprietary map data covering 35+ countries, TomTom traffic incidents, and transit feeds from hundreds of agencies worldwide. Access requires an Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year), which includes 250,000 map views and 25,000 service calls per day at no additional charge; higher quotas require contacting Apple.
PricingSales-led · free tier ✓DoesThe catchFree with generous daily quotas, but it requires an Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year), bars caching, and you may not charge users for map access.