Routing APIs
Directions, distance matrices, route optimization, and isochrones for moving between places.
TL;DR: Top pick: Azure Maps Route. 15 APIs compared, 14 with a free tier; cheapest published entry $0.50 1,000 requests (Radar Geocoding API). Why →
What is a Routing API?
A Routing API lets developers directions, distance matrices, route optimization, and isochrones for moving between places over HTTP. The Routing 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 Route | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 11 |
| 2 | Route4Me | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 15 |
| 3 | HERE Routing API | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 11 |
| 4 | Radar Geocoding API | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | · | ✓ | ✓ | 3 |
| 5 | Routific | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✓ | 13 |
| 6 | Google Routes API | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 2 |
| 7 | GraphHopper Directions API | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 12 |
| 8 | TomTom Routing API | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 7 |
| 9 | NextBillion.ai | Sales-led | ✗ | ✗ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 22 |
| 10 | Stadia Maps Geocoding & Search | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 6 |
| 11 | Mapbox Directions API | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | Type II | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 3 |
| 12 | TravelTime API | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 18 |
| 13 | Geoapify Geocoding API | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 5 |
| 14 | DistanceMatrix.AI | Usage | ✓ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 3 |
| 15 | OpenRouteService | Subscription | ✓ | ✓ | · | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 9 |
The APIs
#1 Azure Maps Route
66 / 100Azure Maps Route is a REST API from Microsoft that calculates optimal routes for cars, commercial trucks, and pedestrians, covering 200-plus countries with support for turn-by-turn directions, distance matrices, isochrones, waypoint optimization, and snap-to-road. It is priced per 1,000 transactions on a self-serve, usage-based model with a published rate card and no sales call required. SDKs are available for .NET, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, and Java. The service carries SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS certifications, and ships a published SLA.
PricingUsage · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · HIPAA · GDPR · ISO 27001 · PCI DSSDoes#2 Route4Me
67 / 100Route4Me is a REST API and SaaS platform for last-mile route optimization, covering multi-stop routing, fleet dispatch, real-time tracking, geocoding, and territory management across 195+ countries. Launched in 2009, it targets logistics and field service teams, with subscriptions starting at $149 per month, a 30-day full-featured developer trial via GitHub, and no sales call required. SDKs are available for nine languages including Python, Node.js, and Go. Commercial truck routing with weight and height constraints is available as a paid add-on, and the platform is HIPAA-compliant.
PricingSubscription · from $149 month · free tier ✓TrustHIPAADoesUsed byFruitGuys, BloomNet#3 HERE Routing API
72 / 100HERE Routing API is a REST-based routing and navigation service covering turn-by-turn directions, distance matrices, isoline analysis, waypoint optimization, and ETA prediction across car, truck, EV, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit modes, with global map coverage for 190+ countries. It targets logistics, fleet management, last-mile delivery, and field service teams, and is self-serve with a free tier of 30,000 transactions per month (payment on file required), then $0.75 per 1,000 requests with enterprise plans available. Compliance certifications include SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and GDPR, and SDKs are available for JavaScript, Python, Java, TypeScript, and C++.
PricingHybrid · from $0.75 1,000 requests · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byUrbantz, TIMOCOM, Kovix, Glympse#4 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 Hut#5 Routific
57 / 100Routific is a REST API for last-mile delivery route optimization and fleet dispatch, solving vehicle routing (VRP) and pickup-and-delivery (PDP) problems for growing businesses globally using 179 ML models for traffic prediction. Subscriptions start at $150/month with a 100-order/month free tier, self-serve signup, and no sales call required. Overages are billed at $0.15/visit, optimization calls are capped at 2,500 visits, and SDK support is available for Ruby and JavaScript/Node.js. The platform is GDPR-compliant and supports webhooks.
PricingSubscription · from $150 month · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byTrunkrs, 4P Foods, Walden Local Meats, Greenhouse JuiceThe catchPurpose-built for last-mile delivery optimization rather than raw directions, priced per fleet from $150/month with a hard 2,500-stop cap per optimization.#6 Google Routes API
74 / 100Google Routes API is a REST service that computes optimal routes between locations and generates distance/duration matrices for multi-origin logistics, supporting driving, walking, cycling, and transit across global coverage. Pricing is usage-based at $5.00 per 1,000 requests, with a free tier of 10,000 requests per month on the Essentials SKU, and self-serve signup requires no sales call. The API holds SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, supports API key and OAuth 2 authentication, and offers official SDKs for Java, Go, Node.js, Python, and .NET.
PricingUsage · from $5 1,000 requests · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001DoesThe catchBest traffic data and global coverage, but results may not be cached or stored beyond 30 days, so it is billed per render rather than a dataset you can keep.#7 GraphHopper Directions API
58 / 100GraphHopper Directions API is a routing and logistics platform built for developers who need turn-by-turn navigation, delivery optimization, isochrone analysis, map matching, and geocoding over worldwide OpenStreetMap coverage supplemented by TomTom data in 150+ countries. It offers self-serve subscription plans with published pricing, a free tier capped at 500 credits per day for non-commercial use, and an enterprise option backed by a published SLA. The REST API uses API key authentication and ships official SDKs for JavaScript and Java, with customers including GLS, DB Systel, and Posten.
PricingSubscription · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byGLS, DB Systel, Bumbal, PostenThe catchA flexible open-source routing engine with strong optimization, but the free tier is non-commercial only and capped at 500 credits/day.#8 TomTom Routing API
61 / 100TomTom Routing API is a REST-based suite of web services covering turn-by-turn navigation, multi-waypoint optimization, matrix routing, reachable range analysis, and long-distance EV routing across 200-plus countries and territories, with real-time traffic available in roughly 90 markets. Pricing is usage-based at $0.75 per 1,000 requests, with a free tier of 2,500 non-tile requests per day shared across all TomTom APIs, self-serve signup, and no sales call required. The API is GDPR-compliant and ISO 27001 certified, supports API-key auth, and offers an MCP server alongside JavaScript and TypeScript SDKs. Customers include Microsoft Azure, Huawei, Bolt, and Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, making it a practical choice for logistics, fleet management, and navigation application developers.
PricingUsage · from $0.75 1,000 requests · free tier ✓TrustGDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byMicrosoft Azure, Huawei, Sygic, BoltAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#9 NextBillion.ai
35 / 100NextBillion.ai provides route planning and optimization APIs targeted at margin-sensitive logistics operators, covering last-mile delivery, trucking with HGV and hazmat compliance, field service scheduling, and ride-hailing. Pricing starts at $499 per month on a 12-month annual contract with a 14-day free trial; plans require a sales call and are not self-serve. SDKs are available for eight languages and platforms, the API holds SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications with GDPR compliance, and customers include Deutsche Bahn, Gojek, Geotab, and ServiceTitan.
PricingSales-led · free tier ✗TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byAbInBev, Geotab, ServiceTitan, GojekAvoid ifYou need to start building today without contacting sales#10 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#11 Mapbox Directions API
74 / 100Mapbox Directions API is a REST routing service covering a global road network, supporting turn-by-turn navigation, ETA prediction, fleet and delivery routing, and EV route planning with charging stops across 40-plus countries, for profiles including driving, cycling, and walking. Pricing is usage-based at $2.00 per 1,000 requests after a free tier of 100,000 requests per month, with self-serve signup and an enterprise plan available. The API offers SDKs for iOS, Android, and JavaScript, holds SOC 2 Type 2 and GDPR certifications, and publishes an SLA.
PricingUsage · from $2 1,000 requests · free tier ✓TrustSOC 2 Type II · GDPRDoesUsed byAccuWeather, DoorDash, Booking.com, Skyscanner#12 TravelTime API
43 / 100TravelTime API is a REST-based travel time and location intelligence service, established in 2009, that calculates isochrones, many-to-many travel time matrices, routing, and geocoding across driving, walking, cycling, and public transport modes in 235 countries. It is used by property portals, job platforms, and commercial real estate firms, with customers including Rightmove, Zoopla, CBRE, JLL, and the NHS. Pricing is subscription-based with no published rates; a 2-week free trial is available, and paid tiers require a sales conversation. SDKs are available for Python, Node.js, Java, Ruby, and R, and the API is GDPR-compliant with a published SLA.
PricingSubscription · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byRightmove, Zoopla, Realtor, CoStar GroupThe catchThe specialist for isochrones and travel-time matrices, but it sells fixed annual licenses (anti per-call), so there is no published price card and you must contact sales.#13 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#14 DistanceMatrix.AI
52 / 100DistanceMatrix.AI is a REST API service, launched in 2019, that calculates travel time and distance between multiple origins and destinations, with support for driving, walking, bicycling, and transit modes alongside both real-time and historical traffic data. It targets logistics, food delivery, taxi dispatch, and route optimization use cases, and is GDPR-compliant with a self-serve signup. Pricing is usage-based at $2.00 per 1,000 elements, with a free tier of 1,000 elements per month; enterprise plans are available. A Python SDK is provided, and customers include Lunch24.com and KPMG Consultoria.
PricingUsage · from $2 1,000 elements · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byTurnn, Lunch24.com, KPMG Consultoria, AdamasAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#15 OpenRouteService
43 / 100OpenRouteService is an open-source geospatial API built on OpenStreetMap data by HeiGIT gGmbH, offering routing, isochrone analysis, distance matrices, vehicle route optimization, geocoding, elevation, and POI search across global coverage with support for driving, cycling, walking, and wheelchair profiles. It suits developers, nonprofits, academic researchers, and government agencies, with a self-serve free tier (2,000 directions requests per day) and higher quotas available through paid subscription or a Collaborative Plan for eligible organizations. SDKs exist for Python, JavaScript, and R, and the API is GDPR-compliant with API key authentication. Notable users include The New York Times and several German public institutions.
PricingSubscription · free tier ✓TrustGDPRDoesUsed byThe New York Times, rbb (German broadcaster), SWR, BKG (Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie)The catchOpen-source and free on OpenStreetMap data with a generous daily quota, but the hosted free tier caps waypoints and rates, so production scale means a paid plan or self-hosting.