An Affordable Google Maps Geocoding API Alternative
The Google Maps Geocoding API is the default choice for converting addresses into coordinates - it is accurate, global, and backed by the biggest mapping platform in the world. It is also billed per request, requires a credit card from day one, and restricts what you can do with the results. This page compares it honestly with ExoAPI's geocoding API so you can decide which fits your project.
Google Maps Geocoding API vs ExoAPI at a Glance
| Google Maps Geocoding API | ExoAPI Geocoding | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Pay per request | Flat monthly subscription |
| Price | ~$5 per 1,000 requests after the free tier | From 9€/month for 1,000 requests/day (~30,000/month) |
| Free tier | 10,000 requests/month (Essentials plan, as of 2026) | 14-day trial, 10 requests/day, no credit card |
| Storing / caching results | Not allowed beyond temporary caching | Allowed - keep results in your own database forever |
| Data source | Proprietary (Google) | OpenStreetMap, refreshed regularly |
| Structured components | Yes | Yes (house number, street, city, country codes, currency) |
| Other APIs included | Billed separately per SKU | All ExoAPI APIs included in the same subscription |
| Credit card to start | Required | Not required |
Pricing last checked August 2026 - always verify against the providers' official pricing pages.
Where the Costs Diverge
Google's model is linear: after the monthly free quota, every 1,000 geocoding requests cost about $5. At 30,000 requests per month you pay for 20,000 of them - roughly $100/month. The same volume fits in ExoAPI's 9€/month Starter plan (1,000 requests per day).
The difference compounds because of the storage rule. Google's terms only permit temporary caching of geocoding results, so the same address gets re-geocoded - and re-billed - again and again. ExoAPI lets you store results in your own database: geocode each address once, then read it from your own tables for free, forever.
When Google Maps Is the Better Choice
An honest comparison cuts both ways. Choose Google if:
- You need rooftop-level accuracy everywhere, including regions where OpenStreetMap coverage is thin. Google's proprietary dataset is the most complete in the industry.
- You are already deep in the Google Maps ecosystem - Places autocomplete, Google-rendered maps, route optimization - and want one vendor.
- You need enterprise SLAs and support contracts.
When ExoAPI Is the Better Choice
Choose ExoAPI if:
- You want predictable costs: a flat monthly price instead of a bill that grows with every request.
- You want to own your results: store coordinates in your database, build your own lookup tables, and never pay twice for the same address.
- You prefer open data: results are powered by OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) and regularly updated.
- You also need any of the other included APIs - reverse geocoding, HTML to PDF, QR codes, content moderation, unit conversion - without separate bills.
Migrating From Google in Two Steps
Replace the Google request:
const res = await fetch(`https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=${encodeURIComponent(address)}&key=${GOOGLE_API_KEY}`);
const data = await res.json();
const { lat, lng } = data.results[0].geometry.location;
With the ExoAPI call:
import { ExoAPI } from "@flower-digital/exoapi-sdk";
const exoapi = new ExoAPI({ apiKey: "<your-api-key>" });
const { lat, lon, postalCode, city, country } = await exoapi.geocoding({
address,
});
The response already contains the structured address components (house number, street, postal code, city, region, country codes and local currency), so most Google address_components parsing code simply disappears.
Try It on Your Own Addresses
The best comparison is your own data: start a free 14-day trial (no credit card required), geocode a sample of your real addresses, and check the accuracy for your regions before deciding.
