What is Azure Maps used for?

Azure Maps is Microsoft's set of mapping, search, routing and traffic APIs on Azure for building location features into web and mobile apps. It is a good fit for adding maps to an enterprise web app and tracking IoT devices on a map.

Yes. Azure Maps has a free plan.

Is Azure Maps open source?

No. Azure Maps is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. In the Maps & Navigation category, open-source options include OpenStreetMap, OsmAnd and Organic Maps.

What are some alternatives to Azure Maps?

Azure Maps competes with Google Maps Platform, Mapbox and HERE Technologies.

Azure Maps: features, pricing and alternatives

About Azure Maps

Azure Maps is a collection of location services in Microsoft Azure. It provides location intelligence, traffic, mobility and geospatial mapping APIs that developers use to add maps and location-aware features to mobile and web applications. Microsoft also positions it for IoT and enterprise systems that need to work with where things are.

As an Azure service, it is managed by Microsoft in the cloud and billed through the Azure platform, and it fits into the same account, security and management tools as the company's other Azure products. There is no self-hosted version. Pricing details are published on Microsoft's Azure pricing pages.

Key features

Mapping APIs for web and mobile apps
Search and routing services
Traffic and mobility data
Geospatial services for IoT systems
Integration with the Azure platform

Good fit for

→Adding maps to an enterprise web app
→Tracking IoT devices on a map

Tags: maps; api; azure; microsoft; geospatial; routing; traffic; iot

Azure Maps: questions and answers

What is Azure Maps used for?: Azure Maps is Microsoft's set of mapping, search, routing and traffic APIs on Azure for building location features into web and mobile apps. It is a good fit for adding maps to an enterprise web app and tracking IoT devices on a map.
Is Azure Maps free?: Yes. Azure Maps has a free plan.
Is Azure Maps open source?: No. Azure Maps is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. In the Maps & Navigation category, open-source options include OpenStreetMap, OsmAnd and Organic Maps.
What are some alternatives to Azure Maps?: Azure Maps competes with Google Maps Platform, Mapbox and HERE Technologies.