Quick answer
Geoapify Location Platform - Geoapify Location Platform wins for most builders who need more than geocoding, because its free tier covers routing, places, maps, and reachability, while OpenCage is the better fit if you only need geocoding and want a very testing-oriented free tier.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve different problems. Geoapify is the broader platform: it bundles map tiles, geocoding, routing, places, autocomplete, isolines, route matrices, and elevation, so the free tier is useful for app prototypes that need multiple location features in one stack. Its limits are fairly generous at 3,000 credits/day and up to 5 requests/second, with multiple API keys and some commercial use allowed. OpenCage is narrower but cleaner for geocoding-only work. Its free tier is clearly framed as a testing allowance, with 2,500 requests/day, 1 request/second, spreadsheet uploads up to 100 rows, and only one API key. If your project needs just address-to-coordinate lookup, OpenCage is simpler. If you expect to grow into routing or map features, Geoapify is the more complete starting point.
Geoapify Location Platform vs OpenCage free tier, side by side
| Geoapify Location PlatformFTV 71 | OpenCageFTV 65 | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily requests / creditsGeoapify uses credits rather than direct request counts, so the units are not identical. | 3,000 credits/day | 2,500 geocoding requests/day |
| Rate limit | Up to 5 requests/second | 1 request/second |
| API keysOpenCage's free tier is limited to one key. | Multiple API keys | Single API key only |
| Spreadsheet or file uploadsOnly OpenCage lists upload limits in the free tier. | Not stated | Spreadsheet uploads up to 100 rows |
| Commercial useGeoapify explicitly allows limited commercial use on the free tier. | Limited commercial use | Not stated |
After you outgrow the free tier
Both products move to flat monthly plans, but Geoapify starts cheaper and scales through progressively larger credit and rate limits. Its first paid tier is $59/month, while OpenCage starts at $50/month. Geoapify then climbs through $109, $179, $299, and $609/month before custom pricing from $860/month. OpenCage steps from $50 to $125 and $500/month, then to contact sales tiers at $1000/month and from $2000/month. For small-team usage, Geoapify is often cheaper once you need broader features, while OpenCage can be cheaper if geocoding is the only workload and you stay within its lower-tier volumes.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Geoapify Location Platform | OpenCage |
|---|---|---|
| Around 2,500 geocoding requests/dayOpenCage's free tier cap matches this use case more directly. | Free (within tier, though credits are not the same unit) | Free (within tier) |
| Around 3,000 credits/day or modest multi-feature app usageGeoapify may fit better if the workload includes non-geocoding features, but the units are not directly comparable. | Free (within tier) | Free (if staying under 2,500 requests/day) |
| 10,000 requests/dayOpenCage's X-Small tier is the cheaper paid entry. | ~$59/mo minimum for the first paid tier | $50/mo on X-Small |
| 30,000 requests/dayAt this volume, Geoapify is cheaper on listed pricing. | ~$109/mo minimum for API 25 | $125/mo on Small |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Geoapify Location Platform when…
- You are building a map app that needs geocoding plus routing, places, or isochrones.
- You want to prototype with multiple location APIs under one account.
- You need limited commercial use on the free tier and expect to stay small for a while.
- You care about higher free-tier request rate than OpenCage's 1 request/second.
Pick OpenCage when…
- You only need geocoding or reverse geocoding, not maps or routing.
- You are testing a data import workflow with spreadsheet uploads up to 100 rows.
- You want a simple trial environment with one API key and clear testing constraints.
- You need permanent data storage during testing and the specific geocoding annotations OpenCage returns.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, Geoapify is the stronger pick because its free tier is broader and more useful once your project goes beyond basic geocoding. OpenCage wins if you know you only need geocoding, want a testing-first workflow, and value spreadsheet uploads and a very explicit trial setup. If you expect routing, places, or map features later, Geoapify is the safer free-tier starting point. If you want a geocoding-only prototype, OpenCage is simpler.
Read the full listings: Geoapify Location Platform and OpenCage. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.