For the last few years, Google Maps API showed a significant increase in its price, followed by reducing its free feature options. And those changes could directly affect most businesses and retailers' budgets for investing in their web services. Furthermore, Google Maps API isn't open-source and doesn't allow for many customization options. However, looking for an alternative to this API is an option that businesses should consider so they can still use store locators and other map services on their websites without breaking the bank. So, we're going to review the best google maps API alternatives for you to try today.
Note: If you are a business with multiple physical locations, a store locator might be a better and more practical option. A store locator like Storemapper is customizable and requires no coding or development, which is uncommon to find in an API.
Table of Contents
- Storemapper
- Mapbox API
- Openstreet Map API
- TomTom
- OmsAnd
- Leaflet
- Salesforce Maps
Why Consider an Alternative to Google Maps API?
Before diving into the alternatives, let’s quickly discuss why businesses are seeking other options. Over the last few years, Google Maps API has:
• Reduced Free Features: The reduction in free usage limits means businesses now have to pay for features that were once free, further straining budgets.
• Limited Customization: Google Maps API is not open-source, which limits the ability to fully customize the service according to specific business needs.
Given these challenges, many businesses are searching for more affordable and flexible mapping solutions. Let’s explore the top alternatives.
Storemapper: The Best Google Maps API Alternative
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Top Google Maps API Alternatives for Your Business
1. Storemapper: Why A Store Locator App Is The Best Google Maps API Alternative
Store locators, like Storemapper, can be added to any website - e-commerces, landing pages, web portals. As a result, it is easier for store owners, retailers, dealers, businesses, and other professionals to transform their online traffic into actual life visits. And they also have a lot of features and customization options that you can quickly apply to your needs with no coding required. Storemapper uses two APIs to offer its mapping services: Google Maps and Mapbox. So it carries those services, quality data, and reputation, but with much more friendly usability and total control of how you will display your map to users. Storemapper also has other powerful benefits over mapping APIs:
- It is mobile-friendly;
- It allows you to upload new locations information to your map easily: Google Drive Sync, Google My Business Integration and more;
- It has a robust analytics dashboard that helps you track your map and location's performance;
- It has Google Business Hours and Reviews integration, so you can showcase authentic feedback and opening hours.
- It is easy and quick to install on;
- It is highly customizable and with free presets and settings included in every plan;
- It has helpful and available support that helps you with everything - from installation to data management.
2. Mapbox API
Mapbox is probably the most popular Google Maps API alternative developers and businesses use. They have been in business since 2010 and started as a free map data and analysis service for non-profit organizations. Today, they provide map tools and data to players like Facebook, Lonely Planet, and Foursquare. Mapbox is also the primary option for store locator solutions like Storemapper. Mapbox API services are not free anymore, but they still work as an open-source-minded company, contributing to the mapping services community by releasing their codes and constantly supporting mapping applications.
Mapbox Pros:
- It is fully customizable and flexible for developers and designers to use it the way they want/need. Fonts, colors, objects. Everything is customizable. This characteristic is probably Mapbox's most loved one.
- Outstanding performance in loading maps visuals and dealing with a large amount of data.
- Offline mode is fully supported with no limitation in the number of downloaded maps
- Open-source initiatives help improve the mapping community and also its applications and services.
Mapbox Cons:
- The learning curve of the API can be a little longer for developers that had never used this google maps API alternative. But nothing to be scared of.
- Certain regions might have some data limitations because they rely on mapping data collected by community mapping services.
3. Openstreet Map API
OpenStreetMap is another popular Google Maps API alternative. It is an open-source mapping solution that relies on a community of mapping websites, engineers, enthusiasts, and apps to offer them data about routes, images, and map information. They are all available to the public for free, for personal and commercial purposes. Although this could seem like a cons side of using this API, it is the opposite since it gives OpenStreetMap high quality and multi-origin mapping information. In addition, many other mapping services - like Mapbox - use some of their data to structure a part of their mapping APIs.But, like all projects, open-sourced or not, OpenStreetMap has its ups- and downsides.
OpenStreetMap Pros:
- It is 100% free. No person or business has to pay to use OpenStreetMap data
- The database is constantly updated and growing since a large number of contributors send new information regularly
- A lot of paid mapping APIs and services rely on OpenStreetMap data
OpenStreetMap Cons:
- You will need to create or hire a mapping service solution to use their database. However, its functionality as a mapping API is basic since its purpose is to facilitate access and update map information.
- Their data exchange volume is limited since the project's purpose is not to become a mapping service. As a result, users can get blocked when entering a high number of queries for data.
4. TomTom
TomTom has an outstanding reputation when it comes down to navigation services. And their maps also have good quality and offer reliable solutions to services and customers who need them. Although they are - and always have been - a paid service, TomTom offers plenty of mapping and navigation functionalities useful for many purposes.
TomTom Pros:
- Reliable mapping solution with years of experience in satellite navigation
- Offers different kinds of mapping features like vector maps, traffic density, location search, and route finding
- 2,500 free transactions per day (much more than Google Maps API)
- The price charged can reduce depending on the volume of requests or usage.
TomTom Cons:
- It is a paid service. It charges up to $0.50 for every 1,000 requests after the first 2,500 free ones.
- The API is not constantly improved. There are mapping updates, but mostly that's it.
5. OmsAnd
This mapping API developed by a Dutch company is a Google Maps API alternative for Android and iOS users. OmsAnd has many functionalities that you can also find on Google Maps, like sharing locations and finding points of interest around you. Still, instead of having their mapping data, they also use OpenStreetMap as a source for creating their maps.OmsAnd is a paid API. It has its basic version; you can add different functionalities by buying new features.
OmsAnd Pros:
- The same core functionality of Google Maps, which is familiar to most users
- It also can display some satellite images from Bing
- Fully customizable
- It offers excellent offline usability, allowing users to download full maps from regions or countries.
OmsAnd Cons:
- Some are not mapped or fully mapped areas because OmsAnd relies on the OpenStreetMap mapping community. This situation can cause the API to take people to unknown locations or nonexistent routes.
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6. Leaflet
Open-source alternatives are a massive success among developers. And in the mapping API market, this trend is also a reality. Leaflet is one of those open-source API alternatives for Google Maps that has become quite popular because of its modern JavaScript data library and complete freedom to customize. Of course, Leaflet is not an actual mapping service (so you might need to search for some third-party services to cover that part), but it is the favorite solution for developers that prefer open-source products.
Leaflet Pros:
- Open-source and free API with a JavaScript data library
- Fully customizable
- Compatible with other mapping API services
Leaflet Cons:
- It requires a developer (or at least some developing skills) to get started and use it
- Lack of data can be a problem, especially for mapping activities in locations like China or the Middle East
- It needs third-party services to support some configurations.
7. Salesforce Maps
Salesforce Maps is a powerful location intelligence and store locator tool for tracking your sales pipeline. It lets you visualize who’s doing what and when, and it helps you spot sales leads and opportunities early. With Salesforce maps, you can filter your data by geography, time period, or lead source. You can see who’s working on which accounts and track what’s happening in your pipeline at each stage. And you can even drill down to see details like the total number of leads generated so far this month.
Salesforce Pros:
- Integrates seamlessly with Salesforce CRM.
- You can organize territories based on desired criteria like revenue potential by new or current customers.
- Optimize the time sales reps spend going to and from sales meeting appointments.
Store Locator App vs. API For the Best Google Maps API Alternative - Which is the Better Option?
If you were looking for an exact solution to your mapping problem, you probably searched not only for mapping APIs but also for store locator apps. After all, they are as well a good alternative for adding map data to your website. But, after learning more about all those API alternatives, would a store locator app be a better option for your needs? Which one is the best option after all? Even if you are a good web developer (or have a good one on your team), choosing a store locator app over a mapping API is likely the best option. And for one simple reason: they are easier to use, as rich in features, and as professional as any other mapping API available for your website needs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alternatives to Google Maps API
Why should I use a store locator for my website?
A store locator is a tool that can help your customers find your retail locations in their area. It shows them each store's address, phone number, and other details. They can use it to find a nearby store if they're looking for something specific or to see if there's one nearby that sells your product.
Why are store locators a great Google Map API alternative?
Store locator apps like Storemapper are easier to install, are mobile-friendly, allowing you to upload new location information to your map, and are the best way to get a map up and running on your website.
What is Google Maps API?
Google Maps API is a web service that allows developers to view and edit map data, create new maps, and save their data in a database. The API has several functions that include providing directions, geocoding address or coordinates, creating custom overlays, and uploading/downloading map data.
Does Apple Maps have an API?
Yes, Apple now offers a maps API using RESTful architecture and allows developers to access an API using HTTP requests and JSON responses. In other words, to increase performance, and speed, and improve battery life.
How much does Google Maps API cost?
It's free until your usage exceeds $200 in a month.
What is the best alternative to Google Maps API?
Storemapper. Storemapper offers easy installation--you don't have to be a developer to figure out how to use it. It also offers locations for import and export, search suggestions, category filters, and more. All of these features combine to make a very powerful app unmatched by Google maps.So, if you are looking for a Google Maps API alternatives to your website, what are you waiting for to try a robust store locator like Storemapper? Start your free trial now.
