Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OSGeo VS Distance By Postcode

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

OSGeo logo OSGeo

QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.

Distance By Postcode logo Distance By Postcode

Calculate accurate driving distances between UK postcodes in bulk.
  • OSGeo Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23
  • 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.

OSGeo

Website
osgeo.org
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-

Distance By Postcode

$ Details
freemium ยฃ0.01 (Free if you use own API)
Release Date
2025 December

OSGeo features and specs

  • Open Source
    QGIS is free to use under the GNU General Public License, allowing users to download, modify, and share the software without cost.
  • Cross-Platform
    QGIS can be installed on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a diverse user base.
  • Extensive Plugin Library
    QGIS has a robust library of plugins that extend its functionality, enabling users to customize the software to meet their specific needs.
  • Active Community
    QGIS has a vibrant global community of users and developers who contribute to its development, documentation, and support forums, ensuring continuous improvement and assistance.
  • Interoperability
    QGIS supports a wide range of file formats and data sources, including vector, raster, and database formats, making it versatile for various GIS tasks.

Possible disadvantages of OSGeo

  • Steep Learning Curve
    QGIS has a complex interface and extensive functions that may be daunting for beginners, requiring substantial time to learn and become proficient.
  • Performance Issues
    For very large datasets and complex analyses, QGIS can experience performance slowdowns, which might affect productivity.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some proprietary GIS software, QGIS may lack certain advanced features and tools specific to niche applications or industries.
  • Less Commercial Support
    As an open-source project, QGIS relies on community support which may not be as immediate or comprehensive as the dedicated support services offered by commercial GIS software vendors.
  • Inconsistency in Plugins
    While the extensive plugin library is a strength, not all plugins are maintained consistently, potentially leading to compatibility issues with new QGIS versions.

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 OSGeo

Overall verdict

  • Yes, OSGeo is considered a valuable and influential organization in the geospatial community due to its commitment to promoting openness, collaboration, and high-quality geospatial software.

Why this product is good

  • The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) supports and promotes the collaborative development of open geospatial technologies and data. It is well-regarded for fostering a diverse community around projects like QGIS, GDAL, and PostGIS, which are widely used tools in the geospatial industry. OSGeo provides valuable resources, community forums, and events such as FOSS4G (Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial) that enhance knowledge sharing and innovation.

Recommended for

    OSGeo is highly recommended for GIS professionals, developers, educators, students, and anyone interested in open source geospatial technologies. It is particularly beneficial for those who want to engage with a community-driven platform and contribute to or benefit from a comprehensive suite of open source geospatial tools.

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

OSGeo videos

QGIS vs ArcGIS

More videos:

  • Review - QGIS User 0020 - New features in QGIS 3.10
  • Review - Comparing ArcGIS Desktop and QGIS

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 OSGeo and Distance By Postcode)
Mapping And GIS
100 100%
0% 0
Maps
98 98%
2% 2
APIs
0 0%
100% 100
Web Mapping
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing OSGeo 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

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Reviews

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

OSGeo Reviews

Top 7 ArcGIS Alternatives For Your GIS Needs
Free and open-source: QGIS is an open-source GIS platform, which means there are no licensing costs and it is completely free to use. This makes it a feasible GIS option for nonprofits, individuals, and educational institutions with limited budgets. Since it is an open-source platform, a large community of developers continuously updates and enhances it.Active community...
Source: nextbillion.ai
6 Best GIS Software 2024
โ€œI also use the open-source package QGIS occasionally. But despite the fact that Maptitude costs money and QGIS is free, I think Maptitude is the better value when you consider total cost of ownership: it is much easier to use, and the data bundled with the software alone (including a license for the commercial HERE streets data) is worth the price of admission.โ€
Source: www.caliper.com
5 Best GIS and Mapping Tools for Nature-Based Projects
QGIS is an open-source GIS (Geographic Information System) software that supports a wide variety of vector, raster, and database formats. It is compatible with numerous operating systems and offers extensive features for creating, editing, visualizing, analyzing, and publishing geospatial information. The development of QGIS is community-driven, providing a platform for...
The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS
QGIS is the #1 completely free (& open source!) GIS software solution available right now. We use it daily at Equator as a benchmark for what we do. While not always the most user-friendly solution, QGIS can probably do it if youโ€™re willing to dig deep enough through itโ€™s massive library of menus, functions, and plugins.
27 Differences Between ArcGIS and QGIS โ€“ The Most Epic GIS Software Battle in GIS History
6. QGIS have another plugin called QuickMapServices that along side with Open Layers gives you a variety of base maps. Still wonโ€™t win ESRI Online; 14. A huge advantage of QGIS is to allow several print compositions in one single project. Also, since version 2.8, each layer can have more than one style, and you can choose what style to use in a particular map; 19. On QGIS...

Distance By Postcode Reviews

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What are some alternatives?

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

ArcGIS - ArcGIS software is a data analysis, cloud-based mapping platform that allows users to customize maps and see real-time data ranging from logistics support to overall mapping analysis.

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

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.

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

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

Google Earth Pro - Google Earth Pro allows you fly anywhere around the earth to view satellite imagery, maps, 3D building, and terrain, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean.