HERE is a location-services platform offering geocoding, routing, maps, traffic, and fleet/logistics APIs. It's a strong Google Maps and Mapbox alternative, especially for routing and logistics, and ships a large freemium tier. Here's what it costs, the free allowance, and how to get a key.
| Plan | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium free | $0 | ~30,000 transactions / month |
| Pay-as-you-go | from ~$0.40–$1 / 1,000 | geocoding / routing / maps |
| Usage / Enterprise | custom | committed volume, SLAs, premium data |
HERE's freemium plan is one of the more generous in maps: roughly 30,000 transactions per month spanning geocoding, routing and base maps, enough to run a small app or prototype entirely free. The catch to watch is the transaction definition — interactive map loads and complex requests (matrix routing, isolines) consume the allowance faster than a single geocode. Cache geocoding results (an address rarely moves) and you'll stretch the free tier a long way.
1. Create a free account on the HERE platform (platform.here.com).
2. Create a project, then open Access Manager.
3. Generate a REST API key (or OAuth credentials for server-to-server).
4. Pass it as ?apiKey= on each request and cache results to save transactions.
Geocode an address:
For mapping, weigh HERE against Google Maps (largest POI dataset, SKU-based pricing) and Mapbox (custom styling, developer-friendly free tier). HERE often wins on routing, matrix routing and logistics/fleet use cases and has a notably large free allowance; Google wins on places/POI coverage; Mapbox wins on map customization. Compare all three on the maps APIs page. If you only need IP-based location rather than addresses, IPinfo is far cheaper. Choose HERE when routing, fleet, or a big free tier matter more than the deepest POI database.
Yes — a freemium plan with roughly 30,000 transactions per month across geocoding, routing and maps, no credit card to start. Beyond that you pay per 1,000 transactions or move to a usage plan.
Sign up on the HERE platform, create a project, then generate a REST API key under Access Manager. Add it as the apiKey query parameter on requests.
HERE leads on routing, matrix routing and logistics and has a large free tier; Google Maps has the deepest POI/places data with SKU pricing; Mapbox is best for custom map styling. Pick by your dominant use case.
Generally one API request, but interactive map loads and complex operations (matrix routing, isolines, traffic) can count as multiple. Caching geocoding results is the main way to keep transaction counts — and cost — down.
Not affiliated with HERE Technologies. Prices are reference estimates — always verify on the official pricing page.