Bing Maps API vs Google Maps vs OpenStreetMap

Overview

Bing Maps API

Stacks26

Followers94

Votes1

Google Maps

Stacks42.5K

Followers29.8K

Votes568

OpenStreetMap

Stacks253

Followers473

Votes58

Bing Maps API vs Google Maps vs OpenStreetMap: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Bing Maps API, Google Maps, and OpenStreetMap

1. Data Sources: Bing Maps API primarily relies on authoritative data providers, including Navteq and TomTom, for its map data. Google Maps, on the other hand, combines data from multiple sources, including third-party providers and user contributions, to create its maps. OpenStreetMap is a collaborative project where users contribute data to build the maps, making it a community-driven source.

2. Cost and Licensing: Bing Maps API offers a variety of pricing options, including a free tier, pay-as-you-go, and enterprise licensing. Google Maps has a similar pricing model but also provides a limited free tier and additional pricing for high-usage applications. OpenStreetMap, being an open-source project, offers the maps and data for free, with no licensing fees involved.

3. Customization and Control: Bing Maps API provides extensive customization options, allowing developers to create personalized map styles and designs, and control various aspects of the maps' behavior. Google Maps offers similar customization capabilities, along with advanced features like interactive overlays and Street View. OpenStreetMap allows users complete control over the map data, enabling customization and in-depth editing of the maps.

4. Development Tools and Documentation: Bing Maps API provides a comprehensive set of developer tools, including SDKs for various programming languages and robust documentation with code samples. Google Maps also offers a wide range of developer tools, libraries, and extensive documentation. OpenStreetMap, being an open-source project, has a collaborative community that provides ample documentation, although it may not be as extensive as the commercial offerings.

5. Routing and Directions: Bing Maps API offers powerful routing and direction services, including features like traffic-aware routing and truck routing. Google Maps also provides similar routing capabilities, including real-time traffic updates and multiple transportation modes. OpenStreetMap offers routing functionality through third-party services that utilize the community-contributed map data.

6. Data Updates and Community Involvement: Bing Maps API and Google Maps are regularly updated with new map data and features by their respective organizations. OpenStreetMap, being a community-driven project, relies on user contributions for updating and improving the map data. This means that updates to OpenStreetMap can be more frequent, but the quality and coverage may vary depending on the level of community involvement in a particular area.

In Summary, Bing Maps API, Google Maps, and OpenStreetMap differ in terms of their data sources, cost and licensing, customization and control options, development tools and documentation, routing and direction services, and the level of community involvement in updating the maps.

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Advice on Bing Maps API, Google Maps, OpenStreetMap

StackShare

Apr 4, 2019

Needs advice

From a StackShare Community member: "We're a team of two starting to write a mobile app. The app will heavily rely on maps and this is where my partner and I are not seeing eye-to-eye. I would like to go with an open source solution like OpenStreetMap that is used by Apple & Foursquare. He would like to go with Google Maps since more apps use it and has better support (according to him). Mapbox is also an option but I don’t know much about it."

183k views183k

Comments

Duane

Feb 5, 2021

Needs advice

I would like to input a spreadsheet with names and associated addresses into a map program to; pinpoint all of the locations on a map. How can I do that? On which map? Are there field size limitations? All help would be appreciated.
There is a subdivision that is about one(1) mile by 3/4 mile in size. Is there a map program that would create the most efficient way to drive all of the streets in the subdivision without a lot of doubling back?

41.1k views41.1k

Comments

Detailed Comparison

Bing Maps API	Google Maps	OpenStreetMap
The Bing Maps platform provides multiple API options for your application including Web Control, a Windows Store apps control, a WPF control, REST Services, and Spatial Data Services. Use the information below as well as at MSDN to help determine which API bests suits your needs.	Create rich applications and stunning visualisations of your data, leveraging the comprehensiveness, accuracy, and usability of Google Maps and a modern web platform that scales as you grow.	OpenStreetMap is built by a community of mappers that contribute and maintain data about roads, trails, cafés, railway stations, and much more, all over the world.
-	Maps Image APIs;Places API;Web Services;Google Earth API;Maps API Licensing;Google Maps API for Work	Emphasizes local knowledge; Contributors use aerial imagery, GPS devices, and low-tech field maps to verify that OSM is accurate and up to date; Built by a community of mappers that contribute and maintain data
Statistics
Stacks 26	Stacks 42.5K	Stacks 253
Followers 94	Followers 29.8K	Followers 473
Votes 1	Votes 568	Votes 58
Pros & Cons
Pros 1 Free	Pros 253 Free 136 Address input through maps api 82 Sharable Directions 47 Google Earth 46 Unique Cons 5 Google Attributions and logo 2 Only map allowed alongside google place autocomplete	Pros 23 Simple 17 Free 9 Open-Source 8 Open-Data 1 React/ RNative integration

What are some alternatives to Bing Maps API, Google Maps, OpenStreetMap?

Mapbox

We make it possible to pin travel spots on Pinterest, find restaurants on Foursquare, and visualize data on GitHub.

Leaflet

Leaflet is an open source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps. It is developed by Vladimir Agafonkin of MapBox with a team of dedicated contributors. Weighing just about 30 KB of gzipped JS code, it has all the features most developers ever need for online maps.

OpenLayers

An opensource javascript library to load, display and render maps from multiple sources on web pages.

ArcGIS

It is a geographic information system for working with maps and geographic information. It is used for creating and using maps, compiling geographic data, analyzing mapped information, sharing and much more.

CSV2GEO

It provides live conversion of batch addresses into geographic coordinates (address to lat long) or turn coordinates into well formatted address. It creates and publishes interactive maps.

MapTiler

It is a software for map tile rendering. It has been designed for producing seamless maps and aerial photo layers covering whole countries. The rendering is fast and efficient, and it can fully utilize multiple CPUs to 100%.

MAPS.ME

MAPS.ME is an open source cross-platform offline maps application, built on top of crowd-sourced OpenStreetMap data. It was publicly released for iOS and Android.

LocationIQ

Free and Fast Geocoding Service

Stadia Maps

We enable devs to contextualize their data on a map and build complicated apps involving routing, time zones, and more with our APIs. We hate billing surprises as much as you, and if you send us an email, you'll get a real human reply.

CARTO

The CARTO platform empowers everyone, from business analysts to data scientists, to turn location data into business outcomes. We accelerate innovation, power new use cases and disrupt business models through Location Intelligence.

Related Comparisons

Bing Maps API vs Google Maps vs OpenStreetMap: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Bing Maps API, Google Maps, and OpenStreetMap

Bing Maps API vs Google Maps vs OpenStreetMap

Overview

Bing Maps API vs Google Maps vs OpenStreetMap: What are the differences?