Overview

OpenStreetMap

Stacks253

Followers473

Votes58

LocationIQ

Stacks7

Followers48

Votes4

LocationIQ vs OpenStreetMap: What are the differences?

Introduction LocationIQ and OpenStreetMap are two popular mapping platforms used for various location-based applications and services. Despite sharing similarities in providing geographic data, they differ in several key aspects that cater to different user needs.

Data Coverage: LocationIQ sources its data from a variety of providers, allowing it to offer a broader coverage of geographic information compared to OpenStreetMap, which relies solely on user-contributed data. This means that LocationIQ may have more detailed and up-to-date information in certain areas where traditional mapping sources are utilized.
API Usage: OpenStreetMap offers its mapping data through its own API, known as the OpenStreetMap API, providing users with direct access to the raw data. On the other hand, LocationIQ provides a simplified and easy-to-use API, abstracting the complexities of working with raw geographic data and offering additional features such as geocoding and routing.
Pricing Model: LocationIQ operates on a freemium pricing model where users can access a certain level of service for free with limitations, while OpenStreetMap is entirely open-source and free to use for any purpose. This difference in pricing models may impact the choice of platform depending on the budget and needs of the user.
Customizability: OpenStreetMap provides a high degree of customizability, allowing users to contribute their own data, create custom maps, and build unique applications on top of the platform. LocationIQ, while offering customization options, may not provide the same level of flexibility and control over the mapping data.
Support and Community: OpenStreetMap has a large and active community of contributors and developers who continuously update and improve the mapping data. This community-driven model ensures that the data remains relevant and accurate. In contrast, LocationIQ may offer dedicated support services for its users, providing more personalized assistance and troubleshooting.

Summary In summary, locationIQ and OpenStreetMap differ in terms of data coverage, API usage, pricing model, customizability, and support/community, catering to a diverse range of user requirements in the realm of mapping services.

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Advice on OpenStreetMap, LocationIQ

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

OpenStreetMap	LocationIQ
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.	Free and Fast Geocoding Service
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 253	Stacks 7
Followers 473	Followers 48
Votes 58	Votes 4
Pros & Cons
Pros 23 Simple 17 Free 9 Open-Source 8 Open-Data 1 React/ RNative integration	Pros 4 Geocoding

What are some alternatives to OpenStreetMap, LocationIQ?

Google Maps

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.

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.

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.