Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

uMap VS Distance By Postcode

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

uMap logo uMap

uMap let you create maps with OpenStreetMap layers in a minute and embed them in your site.

Distance By Postcode logo Distance By Postcode

Calculate accurate driving distances between UK postcodes in bulk.
  • uMap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-30
  • 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.

uMap

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

Distance By Postcode

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

uMap features and specs

  • Open Source
    uMap is open source, which means it can be freely used, modified, and distributed by anyone. This ensures transparency and flexibility for developers.
  • Customizability
    uMap allows users to create custom maps with versatile features such as markers, lines, and shapes, catering to specific user needs.
  • Integration with OpenStreetMap
    uMap integrates seamlessly with OpenStreetMap, providing users with accurate, up-to-date geographical data.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform is user-friendly and does not require extensive technical knowledge to start creating custom maps.
  • Sharing and Embedding
    Maps created on uMap can be shared via links or embedded in websites, enhancing their accessibility and reach.
  • No Registration Required
    Users can create maps without needing to register, simplifying the process and lowering the barrier to entry.

Possible disadvantages of uMap

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to other GIS tools, uMap might lack some advanced features and customizations that professionals might require.
  • Performance Issues
    Large or complex maps may experience performance issues, affecting the usability and responsiveness of the platform.
  • Dependency on OpenStreetMap Data
    While OpenStreetMap is generally accurate, it may lack detailed data in some regions, which could limit the applicability of uMap in those areas.
  • Reliability and Support
    As an open-source project without a dedicated commercial backing, uMap might have less reliable support and fewer frequent updates compared to proprietary solutions.
  • Learning Curve
    While relatively easy to use, new users might still encounter a learning curve when first interacting with the tool, especially if they are not familiar with mapping concepts.

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 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

uMap videos

UMAP Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection for Dimension Reduction | SciPy 2018 |

More videos:

  • Review - Paper Review Call 019 - UMAP
  • Review - PyData Ann Arbor: Leland McInnes | PCA, t-SNE, and UMAP: Modern Approaches to Dimension Reduction

Distance By Postcode videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to uMap and Distance By Postcode)
Maps
91 91%
9% 9
Web Mapping
100 100%
0% 0
APIs
0 0%
100% 100
Mapping And GIS
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing uMap 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 uMap and Distance By Postcode. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, uMap seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 20 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.

uMap mentions (20)

  • Umap Project
    Https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/ https://umap.openstreetmap.de/en/ probably more instances out there, you can also host your own. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • How to share PoI with other users?
    I haven't tried but I bet you could also import it into a uMap. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Share your trips here!
    If you prefer not to use proprietary, walled-off services like Strava I recommend Umap which has some great map editing Functionality and allows sharing links or even exporting the maps as JSON. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Self hosted POI map?
    I'm not hosting it myself but I'm using the open-source OSM uMap (https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/) with a custom layer that points to a GeoJSON endpoint on my webserver. Source: over 3 years ago
  • collaboration between 9 users
    That being said, http://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/ exists. This is a website where one can make a small map, personal or shared with friends who can edit. Source: over 3 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 uMap and Distance By Postcode, you can also consider the following products

Mapme - Build smart and beautiful maps within minutes with no coding

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

Mapbox Studio - A design platform for radically custom maps

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.

Leaflet - Leaflet is a modern, lightweight open-source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps.