The LocationIQ alternative, geocoding + tiles in one API key
Compare maps.guru vs LocationIQ: free tier limits, INR pricing, attribution requirements, and what you get beyond geocoding.
| Metric | LocationIQ | maps.guru |
|---|---|---|
| Free requests / day | 5,000 requests/day (≈150K/month) with attribution link | 50,000 tiles + 10,000 geocoding/month, no attribution |
| Attribution on free plan | "Search by LocationIQ.com" link mandatory | No attribution required |
| INR pricing | Yes, Developer ₹7,000/mo (25K req/day) | Yes, Pro ₹3,999/mo (1M tiles + 200K geo) |
| Tile serving | Raster tiles only (16 tiles = 1 map view) | Vector tiles: MapLibre GL JS native, retina support |
| Entry paid plan (INR) | Maps Lite ₹3,500/mo (10K map views/day, geocoding only) | Pro ₹3,999/mo: 1M vector tiles + 200K geocoding |
| Routing APIs | Included in paid plans | Coming soon |
| Overage billing | Yes, strict daily request limits; upgrade required | None: monthly hard quota enforced |
LocationIQ enforces per-day request limits (e.g., 5K/day on Free, 25K/day on Developer). A traffic spike on a single day can exhaust the daily quota, making the API return 429 for the rest of that day. maps.guru uses monthly quotas, a single busy day will not cut off service.
Source: LocationIQ PricingLocationIQ Free requires embedding a visible "Search by LocationIQ.com" link in the UI for any search or geocoding result displayed. This is a branding requirement that affects UI design freedom, especially for search-box and autocomplete implementations.
Source: LocationIQ PricingLocationIQ's map tiles are raster (PNG/image tiles). MapLibre GL JS requires vector tiles (MVT format) for interactive, retina-quality maps with layer-level styling control. To use LocationIQ for tile serving with MapLibre GL JS, you would need to use a separate vector tile source, negating the single-provider benefit.
Source: LocationIQ PricingJoin developers worldwide who trust maps.guru for their mapping needs. Start free, no credit card required.