Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HERE VS OpenStreetMap

Compare HERE VS OpenStreetMap and see what are their differences

HERE logo HERE

HERE provides APIs and solutions to build location-aware web and mobile apps.

OpenStreetMap logo OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.
  • HERE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-18
  • OpenStreetMap Cover Photo
    Cover Photo //
    2024-01-08

HERE features and specs

  • Comprehensive Mapping Solutions
    HERE provides a wide range of mapping services including navigation, traffic data, and geocoding, making it a robust platform for developers seeking versatile GIS solutions.
  • Global Coverage
    With extensive global mapping data, HERE allows developers to create applications that can operate in a wide range of geographical regions, which is ideal for businesses with international customers.
  • Customizable Maps
    HERE’s platform offers highly customizable mapping tools, enabling developers to tailor map appearances and functionalities to suit specific application requirements.
  • Scalability
    The platform is built to handle large volumes of data and can scale efficiently with the growth of applications, ensuring that performance remains robust even with increased demand.
  • Advanced APIs
    HERE provides advanced APIs and SDKs for various programming languages, offering developers a flexible environment to integrate mapping functionalities into their applications.

Possible disadvantages of HERE

  • Complex Pricing Structure
    The pricing model for HERE services can be complicated, making it challenging for developers to estimate costs accurately, especially for projects that may scale unexpectedly.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to the comprehensive nature and vast array of features offered by HERE, developers may face a steep learning curve when trying to utilize the platform to its fullest potential.
  • Limited Free Tier
    While HERE offers a free tier, it is quite limited in terms of features and usage, which may constrain developers working on smaller projects or prototypes without a budget for scaling.
  • Documentation and Support
    Some developers have reported that HERE’s documentation can be inconsistent or lacking in detailed examples, potentially hindering efficient integration and troubleshooting.
  • Competitive Market
    The geolocation services market is highly competitive, with strong contenders like Google Maps, which may offer comparable services, potentially making HERE a less attractive option for some developers.

OpenStreetMap features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenStreetMap (OSM) is an open-source project, allowing free access to map data and the ability to contribute and modify the maps. This encourages widespread collaboration and innovation.
  • Up-to-date Information
    Due to its large community of contributors, OSM often has up-to-date and detailed information, especially in urban areas. Users can quickly add new roads, businesses, and other updates.
  • Customization
    Users have the flexibility to customize maps for specific needs, such as creating specialized maps for hiking, cycling, or public transportation.
  • Global Coverage
    OSM offers extensive global coverage, which can be especially useful in regions where commercial map services might be limited or outdated.
  • Ethical and Transparent
    Being community-driven and open, OSM provides a more ethical choice compared to commercial alternatives that may have hidden data collection practices.

Possible disadvantages of OpenStreetMap

  • Data Quality Variability
    The quality and detail of the data can vary significantly between different regions depending on the number and expertise of local contributors.
  • Learning Curve
    For new users, especially those unfamiliar with GIS (Geographic Information System) concepts, there can be a learning curve to effectively use and contribute to OSM.
  • Lack of Professional Support
    Unlike commercial map services, OSM does not offer professional customer support, which can be a disadvantage for businesses requiring reliable assistance.
  • Potential for Inaccuracies
    As a crowd-sourced project, there is a potential for inaccuracies or vandalism, which might not be immediately corrected.
  • Performance
    Some users may experience slower performance when loading large datasets or using complex features, due to reliance on third-party servers and tools.

Analysis of OpenStreetMap

Overall verdict

  • OpenStreetMap is widely regarded as a valuable resource due to its open-data approach, community-driven updates, and versatility. It is an excellent choice for those who need customizable, up-to-date maps and prefer open-source solutions.

Why this product is good

  • OpenStreetMap (OSM) is good because it is a collaborative project that provides freely accessible and editable map data. It is powered by a large community of volunteers who continually update and refine the information, ensuring that it remains current and comprehensive. The data from OSM can be used for various applications such as navigation, analysis, and even gaming, thanks to its open licensing (ODbL). It encourages innovation and accessibility, allowing developers and organizations to create and customize maps without the restrictions typically associated with proprietary alternatives.

Recommended for

  • Developers seeking open-source map data for applications
  • Organizations looking for customizable and cost-effective mapping solutions
  • Individuals interested in contributing to open data projects
  • Researchers conducting spatial analysis
  • Anyone needing access to worldwide map data without licensing fees

HERE videos

Should you buy Here to Slay? A Cinematic Review

More videos:

  • Review - Your Ed Here Review
  • Review - Here's Your Everclear Review, Damnit!

OpenStreetMap videos

OpenStreetMap: The map that saves lives | CNBC International

More videos:

  • Review - Switching away from Google Maps : Here Maps, Bing Maps, OpenStreetMap...
  • Review - OpenStreetMap Download / Installation On Garmin Edge 520 GPS Device. Bike Computer

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HERE and OpenStreetMap)
Maps
8 8%
92% 92
Geolocation
100 100%
0% 0
Web Mapping
5 5%
95% 95
Travel & Location
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare HERE and OpenStreetMap

HERE Reviews

Farewell, Google Maps
HERE maps seem a poor match visually for our site (too stark), have proprietary interface and we prefer pay-as-you-go billing to bundles. But a large site that we know decided to migrate to HERE, so we will see how it works for them.

OpenStreetMap Reviews

7 Alternatives to Google Maps for Navigation
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a free, open-source, community-driven mapping and navigation app. OSM was created in 2005. It has grown to include a global mapping community with activists and thousands of volunteers.
18 Top Google Places API Alternatives for Points of Interest Data in 2022
OpenStreetMap offers a free, open-source map of the world with which you can access information about businesses, transport and points of interest. Planet OSM is a feature of OpenStreetMap that lets you extract millions of points of interest for free.
Source: traveltime.com
Top 15 Google Maps Alternatives (2024 Edition)
Maps.me is an open-source mobile-only service and an excellent alternative to Google Maps. It uses the OpenStreetMap database and helps you download maps to use them offline. Therefore, you can save a lot on your mobile data if you use this service.
9 Google Maps Alternatives to Use in 2022
OpenStreetMap is a simple web mapping tool stuffed with all the features you would expect with any web mapping service. The vivid maps explain different layers, help in accurate route planning, and provide cycling and walking routes.
Source: geekflare.com
Top 5 Open-Source Google Maps Alternatives in 2022
Last but not least, Qwant Map is one of those Google Maps alternatives that is open source and free. Just like Google Maps, this interactive maps software offers rich search capabilities. In addition, you can search for places such as restaurants, hotels, markets, and more. Moreover, it lets you search for nearby places by tracking your location. Qwant Map is based on...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenStreetMap seems to be a lot more popular than HERE. While we know about 129 links to OpenStreetMap, we've tracked only 6 mentions of HERE. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

HERE mentions (6)

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OpenStreetMap mentions (129)

  • Waterway Map
    You can go to https://openstreetmap.org/ , zoom in and enable the map data layer. From there history is accessible. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Bike rack capacity
    Hi! I am working on a project mapping bike racks around my city on OpenStreetMap. One of the attributes that I tag is the rack's capacity, but I haven't come to a conclusion about the capacity of these wave-shaped racks:. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Get full name of a admin unit in a admin unit hierarchy like Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, United States of America
    I need the bounding boxes of all adminstrative units in a specific region from the largest (e.g. The state) to the smallest (whatever this is called) including the full name of the district. What I mean by that is what is displayed on openstreetmap.org when I search for e.g. Brooklyn: it will be displayed in the search results as "Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, United States of America" – the names joined from... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Protomaps – A free and open source map of the world
    It's OpenStreetMap (ODbL) and Natural Earth (public domain) currently * http://openstreetmap.org * http://naturalearthdata.com. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Coffee Decor Pikmin
    Pikmin Bloom sources Decor locations from OpenStreetMap, it’s not always 100%, but it’s close enough. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing HERE and OpenStreetMap, you can also consider the following products

Clearip - Clearip provides the IP intelligence and fraud detection API in the market.

Google Maps - Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

OpenCage Geocoder - Easy, Open, Worldwide, Affordable Geocoding.

OsmAnd - Global mobile map viewing and navigation for online and offline OSM maps

GeoNode.org - Open Source Geospatial Content Management System

Mapbox - An open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.