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OpenStreetMap VS Distance By Postcode

Compare OpenStreetMap VS Distance By Postcode and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

OpenStreetMap logo OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.

Distance By Postcode logo Distance By Postcode

Calculate accurate driving distances between UK postcodes in bulk.
  • OpenStreetMap Cover Photo
    Cover Photo //
    2024-01-08
  • Distance By Postcode Homepage
    Homepage //
    2026-01-07
  • Distance By Postcode Input Page
    Input Page //
    2026-01-07
  • Distance By Postcode Input Page With Examples
    Input Page With Examples //
    2026-01-07

Distance By Postcode is a postcode distance calculator that allows you to calculate accurate driving distances and journey times between postcodes in bulk.

Unlike "as the crow flies" tools, we use Google's Distance Matrix API and Routes API to calculate distances in miles using real road networks, ideal for delivery planning, logistics, travel estimates and route costing.

We have two tools available:

Point to point, which allows users to calculate the distance between parked of postcode in bulk. Multi-stop, allows users to calculate distances between routes in bulk, each route can have up to 25 stops.

OpenStreetMap

Website
openstreetmap.org
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-
Edit details

Distance By Postcode

Website
distancebypostcode.com
Pricing URL
Official Distance By Postcode Pricing
$ Details
freemium ยฃ0.01 (Free if you use own API)
Release Date
2025 December
Edit details

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.

Distance By Postcode features and specs

  • Free to use
    Distance By Postcode is a free online tool that allows users to calculate distances between postcodes without any subscription or payment required.
  • Simple and intuitive interface
    The website features a straightforward, minimalist design where users simply enter two postcodes and get results quickly, making it accessible even for non-technical users.
  • Multiple distance units
    The tool provides distance calculations in both miles and kilometers, catering to users who prefer different measurement systems.
  • Driving and straight-line distances
    The service offers both the straight-line (as the crow flies) distance and driving distance between postcodes, giving users more useful and contextual information.
  • No registration required
    Users can access the distance calculation tool immediately without needing to create an account or sign up, reducing friction and saving time.

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

Analysis of Distance By Postcode

Overall verdict

  • Distance By Postcode is a solid, straightforward tool for quickly calculating distances between UK postcodes, making it good for basic route-planning and logistics estimation needs, though it lacks the advanced features of full mapping platforms.

Why this product is good

  • Simple and easy-to-use interface for calculating point-to-point distances
  • Free to use for basic postcode distance lookups
  • Supports UK postcode format specifically, which is useful for local businesses
  • Provides both straight-line and driving distance options in many cases
  • No account or sign-up typically required for basic use

Recommended for

  • UK-based small businesses estimating delivery distances
  • Individuals planning trips between UK locations
  • Logistics coordinators needing quick distance checks
  • Real estate or service professionals calculating travel radius
  • Users who need a lightweight tool without complex mapping features

OpenStreetMap videos

+ Add

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

Distance By Postcode videos

No Distance By Postcode videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenStreetMap and Distance By Postcode)

OpenStreetMap

Distance By Postcode

Maps
98 98%
Maps
2% 2
Web Mapping
100 100%
Web Mapping
0% 0
APIs
0 0%
APIs
100% 100
Mobile Maps
100 100%
Mobile Maps
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing OpenStreetMap and Distance By Postcode.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Distance By Postcode's answer:

It offers both a free version for users who have their own Google Distance Matrix API, or they can use our pay-per-use, which we are transparent with and is only ยฃ0.01 per pair of postcodes calculated.

What makes your product unique?

Distance By Postcode's answer:

Allows users to calculate the distance between pairs of postcodes in bulk, and does so using road networks, not "as the crow flies" which can be inaccurate.

What's the story behind your product?

Distance By Postcode's answer:

I built Distance by Postcode after a logistics manager at work needed to calculate driving distances between a few hundred UK postcodes. Most tools we tried were either manual one by one, only offered โ€œas-the-crow-fliesโ€ distances, or hid pricing behind opaque plans.

So I built a tool using the Google Distance Matrix API that calculated driving distance and estimated travel time between postcode pairs at scale, specifically using the roads, just like inputting a pair of postcodes into Google Maps and it picking the shortest distance by default. After it proved useful internally, I decided to turn it into a simple public website and keep everything as straightforward and transparent as possible.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Distance By Postcode's answer:

Google Distance Matrix API, Python, GitHub, JavaScript, HTML and CSS.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Distance By Postcode's answer:

It is ideal for delivery drivers, couriers, e-commerce businesses, logistics planners and anyone needing bulk accurate UK postcode distances.

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenStreetMap and Distance By Postcode. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

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.
Source: gisgeography.com
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.
Source: blog.route4me.com
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...
Source: blog.containerize.com

Distance By Postcode Reviews

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenStreetMap seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 130 times since March 2021. 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.

OpenStreetMap mentions (130)

  • Rekichizu: A Modern Take on Japan's Historical Maps
    Finally, to ensure a visually harmonious experience, the design of the integrated modern map, which utilizes OpenStreetMap (OSM) data, has been carefully styled to match the aesthetic and color palette of the original Rekichizu historical map. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • 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 2 years 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 2 years 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" โ€“ the names joined from... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Protomaps โ€“ 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 2 years ago
View more

Distance By Postcode mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Distance By Postcode yet. Tracking of Distance By Postcode recommendations started around Jan 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenStreetMap and Distance By Postcode, you can also consider the following products

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

Distance Matrix API - The API for computing distances, that accounts for traffic conditions, has different travel modes, forecasting features, and unlimited matrix size

HERE WeGo - HERE WeGo - Maps - Routes - Directions - All ways from A to B in one

Google Maps API - Choose Google Maps Platform to create immersive location experiences and make better business decisions with accurate real time data & dynamic imagery.

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.

Apple Maps - Maps features an all-new design with smart features to make finding and getting to your destination easier than ever.

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