Google Maps API vs HERE Maps API

Two free Geocoding APIs compared on access, reliability and developer ratings, using data from our daily health checks.

The verdict

Choose Google Maps API for its data: Create/customize digital maps based on Google Maps data.
Choose HERE Maps API if you want faster responses.

Side by side

	Google Maps API	HERE Maps API
What it does	Create/customize digital maps based on Google Maps data.	Create/customize digital maps based on HERE Maps data.
Provider	Google Maps Platform	HERE
API key	Required	Required
HTTPS	Yes	Yes
CORS (browser calls)	Unknown	Unknown
Status today	Online · 1896 ms	Online · 1124 ms
Uptime (30 days)	Up	Up
Developer rating	Not rated yet	Not rated yet
Price	Free / free tier	Free / free tier

Google Maps docs ↗HERE Maps docs ↗

Google Maps API

Create/customize digital maps based on Google Maps data.

Millions of websites and apps use Google Maps Platform to power location experiences for their users.

Strengths

HTTPS

Ratings, reviews and FAQ →

HERE Maps API

Create/customize digital maps based on HERE Maps data.

Develop precise, location-aware applications with our extensive tools and services, from mapping and geocoding to routing and map data visualization. Get started today!

Strengths

HTTPS

Ratings, reviews and FAQ →

How to choose between them

Prototyping or a tutorial? Pick the one that needs no API key (neither does, so compare their free tiers).
Calling from a web page? You need CORS. Otherwise route requests through your own server or a serverless function.
Going to production? Favour HTTPS, a strong uptime record and a provider with clear rate limits and terms. Check each API's docs before you commit.
Still unsure? Both are free to try: send one request to each and compare the data you get back.

Google Maps vs HERE Maps FAQ

Do Google Maps API and HERE Maps API need an API key?

Both require authentication (apiKey and apiKey).

More comparisons

Google Maps API alternatives · HERE Maps API alternatives · best Geocoding APIs