What is Bing Maps used for?

Bing Maps is Microsoft's mapping and directions service for mapping locations, getting routes, checking traffic and viewing aerial and 3D satellite imagery. It is a good fit for planning a trip with several stops and checking current traffic before driving.

Is Bing Maps open source?

No. Bing Maps is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Bing Maps include OpenStreetMap.

What are some alternatives to Bing Maps?

Bing Maps competes with Google Maps, Apple Maps and MapQuest. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Bing Maps alternatives.

Bing Maps: features, pricing and alternatives

About Bing Maps

Bing Maps is the mapping and directions service from Microsoft. Its web interface lets people map several locations at once, get transit, walking and driving directions, and check live traffic conditions. It is one of the main consumer map products alongside offerings from Google and Apple.

The service also supports planning trips and exploring places from above, with aerial and three-dimensional satellite views. Bing Maps is integrated with the wider Bing search experience, and the site is available in many languages. It is a hosted product from Microsoft rather than software you run yourself.

Key features

Mapping of multiple locations
Transit, walking and driving directions
Live traffic conditions
Aerial and 3D satellite views
Trip planning tools

Good fit for

→Planning a trip with several stops
→Checking current traffic before driving

Tags: maps; directions; navigation; traffic; microsoft; satellite; bing

Bing Maps: questions and answers

What is Bing Maps used for?: Bing Maps is Microsoft's mapping and directions service for mapping locations, getting routes, checking traffic and viewing aerial and 3D satellite imagery. It is a good fit for planning a trip with several stops and checking current traffic before driving.
Is Bing Maps free?: Yes. Bing Maps is free to use.
Is Bing Maps open source?: No. Bing Maps is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Bing Maps include OpenStreetMap.
What are some alternatives to Bing Maps?: Bing Maps competes with Google Maps, Apple Maps and MapQuest. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Bing Maps alternatives.