Free APIs
Free Maps & geocoding APIs
| Free tier | Docs | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Free geocoding and reverse geocoding from OpenStreetMap data
Catch: Usage policy: no heavy use, identify your app, show attribution | Free public server, max 1 request/second | No key | docs |
Query OpenStreetMap features with a custom query language
Catch: Heavy queries get rejected; self-host for volume | Free public servers; fair-use slot limits (about 10,000 queries/day) | No key | docs |
| Free monthly usage tier for each API | API key | docs | |
| Free plan: 3,000 credits/day | API key | docs | |
Geocoding, search and maps API
Catch: Attribution required on free plan; daily request cap | Free plan available (key required) | API key | docs |
Map tiles, geocoding, static maps and elevation
Catch: Free plan is non-commercial; usage quotas apply | Free plan (key required) | API key | docs |
Geocoding, routing, places and maps
Catch: Allowance differs per service; account required | Free tier: monthly transaction allowance per service | API key | docs |
Directions, isochrones, matrix and geocoding
Catch: Quotas differ per endpoint; key required | Free standard plan with daily request quotas | API key | docs |
Map tiles, geocoding and routing
Catch: Commercial use not allowed on free plan | Free plan: 200,000 credits/month | API key | docs |
Maps, search, routing and traffic
Catch: Allowance depends on the product; not for heavy production use | Free monthly allowance per product (e.g. 200K or 20K requests/month) | API key | docs |
| Free account; the free service has lower limits than premium | API key | docs | |
Postal code to place lookup for many countries
Catch: Community service; no SLA | Free, no key | No key | docs |
Country data: names, capitals, currencies, languages, flags
Catch: Community-run; no SLA | Free, no key | No key | docs |
Maps, Places, Geocoding and Routes
Catch: Billing account required; free calls vary by SKU | Up to 10K free calls per SKU per month | API key | docs |
FAQ
What is the best free maps & geocoding API?+
Nominatim (OpenStreetMap), Overpass API, Mapbox are good places to start. Compare the free tiers and catches in the table; they differ mostly in limits and whether commercial use is allowed.
Is there a maps & geocoding API without an API key?+
Yes: Nominatim (OpenStreetMap), Overpass API, Zippopotam.us, REST Countries work without a key.
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