Google Maps vs Google Places API: What are the differences?
Google Maps is a comprehensive mapping platform, while Google Places API allows developers to access detailed information about places, businesses, and points of interest. Let's explore the key differences between them.
-
Usage: Google Maps API is used to display maps and geographic information on a website, allowing users to interact with the map interface. On the other hand, Google Places API is used to retrieve information about places such as businesses, landmarks, and addresses.
-
Data: With Google Maps API, you can display maps that contain various types of information such as roads, landmarks, and satellite imagery. In contrast, Google Places API provides detailed data about specific places, including their names, addresses, phone numbers, websites, and user reviews.
-
Functionality: Google Maps API primarily focuses on visualizing and interacting with maps, offering features like map customization, directions, and street view. Google Places API, on the other hand, focuses on providing place-related information, such as the types of places nearby, the distance to a certain place, and specific details about a place.
-
Integration: In terms of integration, while Google Maps API can be used to embed maps into a website and allow users to interact with them, Google Places API enables developers to integrate place-related information into their applications, enhancing functionality and user experience.
-
Pricing: Google Maps API and Google Places API have different pricing models. With Google Maps API, you are billed based on the number of map loads and geocoding requests. On the other hand, Google Places API has its own pricing structure, where you are billed based on the number of places details requests, query autocomplete requests, and place photos requests.
-
Access restrictions: Another key difference is the access restrictions. Google Maps API requires an API key to be included in the website code to access the maps functionality. In contrast, while Google Places API also requires an API key for authentication, it is used primarily for accessing place-related information rather than displaying maps.
In summary, Google Maps API is focused on providing map visualization and interaction, while Google Places API is geared towards retrieving detailed information about places.
