LocationIQ review
A developer-focused API suite for geocoding, maps and routing, with a free tier and paid plans.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
LocationIQ provides cloud APIs for developers building location features into websites and mobile applications. Its tools convert addresses to coordinates and coordinates into readable addresses or place names, serve raster and vector map tiles, and calculate directions. The feature set also includes structured address search, route optimization, travel-time matrices and map matching, which snaps GPS points to roads. It suits teams that want a location API layer rather than a broad spatial-data toolkit.
The published monthly plans start with Free at $0, which includes geocoding, routing, street and static maps, with limited commercial use and attribution. Maps Lite is $45 per month and provides those core services with access to Map APIs only; a $450 annual Maps Lite price is also shown. Developer costs $100 per month and adds access to all APIs with soft daily limits. Startup is $200 per month, adding priority email support and no per-second limits for Maps APIs. Growth Plus is $500 per month with no daily limits and soft monthly limits. Business Plus is $950 per month and adds priority live support and dedicated AWS endpoints. Enterprise lists dedicated servers and custom contracts and SLAs. This tier progression gives developers a path from limited evaluation to broader API access and higher usage allowances.
Integration support centers on mapping libraries: MapLibre GL JS, OpenLayers and Leaflet for web, plus MapLibre GL Native for Android and iOS and OSMDroid. The listed platforms also include web, Android, iOS and an HTTP API. Email is a support channel, with priority email support on Startup and priority live support on Business Plus. LocationIQ is a fit for developers who need geocoding, maps and route calculations across web or mobile projects. Teams whose core need is advanced spatial-data tooling, or whose commercial use does not fit the Free plan's attribution and limits, should compare alternatives or choose a paid tier.
LocationIQ pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Forward and reverse geocoding, directions, routing and route optimization APIs
- Free plan includes geocoding, routing, street and static maps
- Works with web, Android and iOS mapping libraries
- Where it doesn't
- Free commercial use is limited and requires attribution
- Maps Lite offers access to Map APIs only
- Spatial data tools are basic
LocationIQ fact sheet, pricing and score →
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