Mapbox is the leading developer-friendly maps platform β custom map styles, geocoding, directions and navigation β with a free monthly allowance on every product and usage-based pricing after that. It's often cheaper and more customisable than Google Maps. Here's the pricing and setup.
| Product | Free / month | Then β $/1,000 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map loads (web GL JS) | 50,000 | $5 | Interactive maps |
| Static / raster tiles | 200,000 | $1 | Lightweight maps |
| Geocoding (search) | 100,000 | $5 | Address β coordinates |
| Directions / routing | 100,000 | $2 | Routes & navigation |
β Adding maps to an app? Add the cost to your whole stack with the API stack cost calculator.
Mapbox has a genuinely generous free tier β tens of thousands of free map loads and 100,000 free geocoding or directions requests every month β with no credit card to start. Many small apps never pay. Above the allowance it's simple per-request pricing.
1. Sign up at mapbox.com.
2. Your default access token is on the account page β copy it (create scoped tokens for production).
3. Add the token to Mapbox GL JS, the mobile SDKs or REST calls.
4. Add billing only if you expect to exceed the monthly free allowance.
Test it with a simple request:
Google Maps has more coverage but requires billing up front; OpenStreetMap + Leaflet is fully free if you self-host tiles; HERE and MapTiler are other paid options with free tiers.
It has a real free monthly tier β e.g. 50,000 map loads and 100,000 geocoding requests per month β with no card to start. You only pay above the allowance.
Often yes for maps and routing, and it's more customisable. Google requires billing enabled from the start; Mapbox lets you begin free.
Sign up at mapbox.com and copy the default token from your account page; create scoped tokens for production.
Custom maps, geocoding (address search), directions/routing, isochrones, static images and navigation.
Not affiliated with Mapbox. Prices are reference estimates β always verify on the official pricing page.