Azure Maps Search (POI) vs Google Places API

Azure Maps Search (POI) and Google Places API are both Places & POI APIs, compared here on pricing, compliance, capabilities, and developer experience from structured, cited data - not reviews or paid placement. On compliance, Azure Maps Search (POI) additionally documents HIPAA. For coding-agent use, Google Places API scores higher on agent-friendliness (50 vs 45).

Comparedby a transparent data-readiness score computed from each API's published, sourced fields. No reviews, no paid placement. How we rank.

Data last verified 2026-06-14, with every field cited on each profile.

Head-to-head, from published, cited fields (auto-generated; no paid placement)
Field	Azure Maps Search (POI)	Google Places API
Starting price	$4.50 1,000 transactions	$5 1,000 requests
Pricing model	Usage	Usage
Free tier	✓	✓
Self-serve signup	✓	✓
SOC 2	Type II	Type II
HIPAA	✓	✗
GDPR	✓	✓
Webhooks	✗	✗
Sandbox	✗	✗
Documented actions	6	10

Full data and citations: Azure Maps Search (POI) · Google Places API. See more Places & POI APIs.