Geoapify as an Alternative to Google Maps Distance Matrix API

The Google Maps Distance Matrix API is a standard tool for calculating travel times and distances between multiple points. However, its complex pricing, usage limits, and closed data model often make it difficult to scale cost-effectively.

Geoapify provides a reliable and affordable alternative to Google Maps API Distance Matrix. Its Distance Matrix API supports:

• Multiple transport modes (drive, truck, walk, bike, transit)
• Large matrices with async processing
• Transparent pricing and predictable cost per request

Geoapify’s RESTful interface closely mirrors Google’s API, allowing for simple migration with minimal code changes. It’s fully compatible with JSON-based workflows and modern frameworks.

Powered by OpenStreetMap, GTFS, and other open datasets, Geoapify ensures global coverage, GDPR compliance, and no vendor lock-in.

What Is a Route Matrix (Distance Matrix) API

A Route Matrix API — also known as a Distance Matrix API — is a service that calculates travel times and distances between multiple origins and destinations. Instead of computing routes one by one, it processes all combinations in a single request, returning results in a matrix format.

Here’s an example of a 6×6 route matrix where origins and destinations are different named locations — for instance, distribution centers and delivery points in a city. Each cell contains both travel time (minutes) and distance (kilometers) estimated between the two points.

This example illustrates how a Route Matrix API provides complete travel data between different origins (e.g., warehouses, depots) and destinations (e.g., commercial or public locations) in a single structured response. Such matrices are used in delivery optimization, logistics scheduling, and accessibility analysis, allowing systems to select the fastest or most efficient routes automatically.

Why Geoapify Is a Great Alternative to Google Maps API Distance Matrix

Before choosing a Distance Matrix API, it’s important to understand how much control you have over route calculations and how easily you can adapt them to your specific needs. The example below shows how a route matrix visualizes travel times and distances between multiple points — a common use case for logistics, accessibility analysis, and travel-time mapping.

1. Customizability

The Geoapify Route Matrix API is highly flexible and can be adjusted to fit almost any use case — from route optimization for delivery services to accessibility or travel-time analysis. You can easily define how routes are calculated, which roads to use or avoid, and how detailed the results should be.

These options make the API easy to adapt to real-world scenarios. You can calculate routes that avoid tolls, simulate slower traffic conditions, or match local driving rules — all while maintaining consistent, accurate results based on OpenStreetMap and GTFS data.

2. Affordable Pricing

Pricing is often the deciding factor when selecting a Distance Matrix API. Both Google and Geoapify offer scalable options, but their pricing models and matrix size limits differ significantly.

While Google Maps Distance Matrix API charges per element (each origin–destination pair), Geoapify uses a fairer calculation formula based on the number of origins and destinations:

cost = max(sources, targets) × min(sources, targets, 10)

This means that even for large matrices, the total number of billable elements — and therefore the cost — is usually much lower than with Google.

Here’s a comparison of the most affordable API plans:

Prices are approximate and based on public documentation as of 2025.

Official pricing pages: • Google Maps Platform pricing: https://mapsplatform.google.com/pricing/#pay-as-you-go • Geoapify pricing: https://www.geoapify.com/pricing/

Geoapify’s Free plan already includes up to 90,000 elements per month — nine times more than Google’s free quota — making it a practical choice for testing, small projects, or startups. Paid plans remain highly affordable, even for large-scale applications.

In addition, pricing transparency is built into Geoapify’s model: no hidden costs, no billing surprises, and predictable monthly usage.

3. Matrix Size and Scalability

Matrix size limits directly affect both performance and cost. Google Maps Distance Matrix API supports up to 25 × 25 (625 elements) per request. Larger matrices must be split manually into multiple requests — which increases both complexity and billing, since Google charges per element (each origin × destination pair).

Geoapify supports larger matrices and a more cost-efficient calculation:

Because Geoapify uses the formula cost = max(sources, targets) × min(sources, targets, 10) it often reduces the number of billable elements — especially when calculating large matrices or when one side (origins or destinations) is smaller.

Even larger matrices can be combined easily using async processing, making Geoapify more suitable for delivery routing, location ranking, or accessibility calculations at scale — with predictable and lower costs.

4. Variety of Related Products and API Solutions

A Distance Matrix API is often just one part of a complete location-based solution. Geoapify provides a broader ecosystem of APIs that work together using a unified data model, authentication, and routing logic — making it easier to build routing, accessibility, logistics, or analytical applications end-to-end.

Using these APIs together, you can:

• Calculate time and distance matrices
• Optimize delivery or service routes
• Build fleet management and routing dashboards
• Generate travel-time accessibility zones (Isoline API)
• Convert addresses and visualize results on static or interactive maps

This ecosystem makes Geoapify suitable for logistics, mobility, transportation planning, business location analysis, and digital mapping applications — without using multiple providers or complex integrations.

Geoapify vs Google Distance Matrix API — Feature Comparison

Both APIs serve the same core purpose — calculating travel time and distance between multiple origins and destinations — but they differ in flexibility, pricing model, matrix size, and traffic handling.

Key Takeaways

• Google uses a strict element-based billing model, while Geoapify charges less by using a cost formula, significantly reducing cost for larger matrices.
• Geoapify supports larger matrices (up to 3,000 elements per request) and offers async processing, while Google requires splitting.
• Geoapify offers more control over routing behavior, including custom avoid areas, vehicle speed limits, and service zones.
• Google provides real-time traffic models, while Geoapify offers traffic approximation using road load estimation — suitable for planning and estimation.
• Google supports placeId and address input, Geoapify works directly with coordinates, making it lightweight for API and backend workflows.

How to Migrate from Google Maps Distance Matrix API to Geoapify

Migrating from Google Maps Distance Matrix API to Geoapify is straightforward because both APIs follow a REST-based structure and return JSON responses. In most cases, migration requires adjusting the endpoint, renaming parameters, and replacing place IDs or addresses with coordinates.

Step 1. Replace Endpoint URL

Google:

https://routes.googleapis.com/distanceMatrix/v2:computeRouteMatrix

Geoapify:

https://api.geoapify.com/v1/routematrix

Step 2. Replace Origins/Destinations with Sources/Targets

Google accepts origins and destinations as placeId, address, or coordinates. Geoapify uses coordinates in sources and targets arrays, formatted as [lon, lat].

Google style:

"origins": [
  {"address": "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA"}
],
"destinations": [
  {"address": "1 Market St, San Francisco, CA"}
]

Geoapify style:

"sources": [
  { "location": [-122.084, 37.422] }
],
"targets": [
  { "location": [-122.394, 37.794] }
]

If your application uses addresses or place IDs, simply geocode them using the Geoapify Geocoding API before making matrix requests.

Step 3. Replace Parameter Names

Step 4. Selecting Travel Mode

Step 5. Example Migration

Google Distance Matrix Request (simplified):

{
  "origins": [{"latLng": {"latitude": 37.422, "longitude": -122.084}}],
  "destinations": [{"latLng": {"latitude": 37.774, "longitude": -122.419}}],
  "travelMode": "DRIVE",
  "routingPreference": "TRAFFIC_AWARE_OPTIMAL"
}

Geoapify Route Matrix Request:

{
  "mode": "drive",
  "traffic": "approximated",
  "sources": [{ "location": [-122.084, 37.422] }],
  "targets": [{ "location": [-122.419, 37.774] }],
  "type": "balanced",
  "units": "metric"
}

6. Testing the Migration

You can test your requests using: ✔ Postman ✔ Browser (for simple GET requests) ✔ Command-line (curl) ✔ Geoapify API Playground (built-in in documentation)

Step 7. Adjust Matrix Size (Optional)

If your matrices are larger, Geoapify allows async processing or even combining matrices without hitting cost spikes — thanks to the formula-based pricing.

Step 8. Keep Costs Low with Geoapify’s Billing Formula

Instead of charging per origin × destination pair like Google, Geoapify uses:

cost = max(sources, targets) × min(sources, targets, 10)

This means that even large matrices often cost less than expected, especially when one side (origins or destinations) is smaller.

✔ Migration Summary

Learn more

Looking to build routing, distance analysis, address validation, or interactive maps into your product? Geoapify provides developer-friendly APIs, SDKs, and ready-to-use components to help you launch faster.

You might also find these resources helpful:

Google Maps API alternative

Discover more affordable Google Maps API alternative. Geoapify offers high-quality maps and location services at affordable prices.

Route Optimization Solutions

Geoapify offers route optimization solutions for businesses of any scale. Get cost-efficient delivery routes, scheduling constraints, and more.

Logistics APIs | Delivery & Tracking Solutions

Optimize transportation processes and warehouse management with our Logistics APIs. We have delivery and tracking solutions for businesses of all sizes.

These articles will help you integrate routing, optimize logistics operations, create matrix-based travel-time calculations, or migrate away from Google Maps with minimal effort.

Conclusion

Google Maps Distance Matrix API is widely used, but its pricing model and matrix size limits make it challenging for scalable routing, logistics, and location-based applications. Geoapify offers a flexible and affordable alternative — with larger matrix sizes, full transport mode support, transparent pricing, and no vendor lock-in.

Explore Geoapify solutions:

• Route Matrix API
• Route Planner API
• Google Maps API Alternative
• Pricing

Start for free and build location-aware applications with predictable costs and modern API tools.

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