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Depends. Basically, the API is free if all you do is display a map, keep the Google branding at the bottom, and add a few of those pins. Make one of those pins

Depends. Basically, the API is free if all you do is display a map, keep the Google branding at the bottom, and add a few of those pins. Make one of those pins move because it's actually a car, and suddenly your cheeks are getting clapped with 6+-figure bills.

dahwolf 3y ago
False. The API has a free tier, followed by 200$ monthly credit, followed by outrageous prices.
3LazTjBv-f 3y ago
I don't think this is true for a while (5 years). There are view limits and I still find embedded maps that look just like this: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50977913/google-maps-shows-for-development-purposes-only https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50977913/google-maps-sho... .
- ohgodplsno 3y ago
  Currently working on multiple apps hitting anywhere between 5k and 150k maps loads a day, costs are zero because we do not do things outside of the free usage tier. The Maps Embed API (the one you see on websites) is pretty clear on that: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/usage-and-billing#embed https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/usage... Pricing for the Maps Embed API All Maps Embed API requests are available at no charge with unlimited usage. Other usage limits There are no short-term (queries per second) or long-term (queries per day) limits on the Maps Embed API. Similar things apply to the Maps SDK for Android. Seeing the watermark means that there's either no API key being sent with the request or, in relatively new developments, that you haven't enabled billing/inputted a credit card. Which is a scary thing to do when you know that you're not doing anything out of the usage limits... but what if Google suddenly decided that ?
- Gustomaximus 3y ago
  This. I'm paying for maps API as have sites that display it on pages + the directions requests. Some sites we added it as an image to avoid this. Some sites got flagged as weren't allowed to do this and others have been ignored.
ChrisMarshallNY 3y ago
I wrote a system that incorporates Google Maps. It’s an open-source system that is used worldwide, by a few thousand loosely-organized nonprofits. When Google Maps suddenly required associated credit cards, it caused a great deal of trouble. It still causes problems. That’s because most of these entities are not 501(c)(3) orgs, with bank accounts and debit/credit cards. In fact, the organization enforces deliberate poverty, amongst its chapters. Someone needs to add their personal card to the Google Maps API. Since the maintenance people are constantly rotating, this is an issue. Also, the API has a dashboard like a Space Shuttle cockpit. Most regular schlubs have a difficult time with it.
- acomjean 3y ago
  We use google maps for our non profit event and for the first time this year we had a small charge for our once a year event. We have the same credit card issue even though we’re a 501c3. Google’s UI is a complete mystery to anyone outside google that doesn’t know the lingo. It seems to keep changing too.
- macintux 3y ago
  > Someone needs to add their personal card to the Google Maps API. Since the maintenance people are constantly rotating, this is an issue. I’d be terrified of a situation like AWS, where suddenly my card is charged thousands of dollars for some unexpected situation. And, unlike AWS, I wouldn’t expect to be able to reach someone at Google to cancel the charge.
- tiberious726 3y ago
  > In fact, the organization enforces deliberate poverty, amongst its chapters. You mean a cult. This isn't a real issue for properly run 501c3, it's a tax registration for a reason.
  - ChrisMarshallNY 3y ago
    > You mean a cult. Well, isn't that special? Have a great day!

dahwolf 3y ago

False. The API has a free tier, followed by 200$ monthly credit, followed by outrageous prices.

3LazTjBv-f 3y ago

I don't think this is true for a while (5 years). There are view limits and I still find embedded maps that look just like this: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50977913/google-maps-shows-for-development-purposes-only https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50977913/google-maps-sho... .

ohgodplsno 3y ago
Currently working on multiple apps hitting anywhere between 5k and 150k maps loads a day, costs are zero because we do not do things outside of the free usage tier. The Maps Embed API (the one you see on websites) is pretty clear on that: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/usage-and-billing#embed https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/usage... Pricing for the Maps Embed API All Maps Embed API requests are available at no charge with unlimited usage. Other usage limits There are no short-term (queries per second) or long-term (queries per day) limits on the Maps Embed API. Similar things apply to the Maps SDK for Android. Seeing the watermark means that there's either no API key being sent with the request or, in relatively new developments, that you haven't enabled billing/inputted a credit card. Which is a scary thing to do when you know that you're not doing anything out of the usage limits... but what if Google suddenly decided that ?
Gustomaximus 3y ago
This. I'm paying for maps API as have sites that display it on pages + the directions requests. Some sites we added it as an image to avoid this. Some sites got flagged as weren't allowed to do this and others have been ignored.

ChrisMarshallNY 3y ago

I wrote a system that incorporates Google Maps. It’s an open-source system that is used worldwide, by a few thousand loosely-organized nonprofits. When Google Maps suddenly required associated credit cards, it caused a great deal of trouble. It still causes problems. That’s because most of these entities are not 501(c)(3) orgs, with bank accounts and debit/credit cards. In fact, the organization enforces deliberate poverty, amongst its chapters. Someone needs to add their personal card to the Google Maps API. Since the maintenance people are constantly rotating, this is an issue. Also, the API has a dashboard like a Space Shuttle cockpit. Most regular schlubs have a difficult time with it.

acomjean 3y ago
We use google maps for our non profit event and for the first time this year we had a small charge for our once a year event. We have the same credit card issue even though we’re a 501c3. Google’s UI is a complete mystery to anyone outside google that doesn’t know the lingo. It seems to keep changing too.
macintux 3y ago
> Someone needs to add their personal card to the Google Maps API. Since the maintenance people are constantly rotating, this is an issue. I’d be terrified of a situation like AWS, where suddenly my card is charged thousands of dollars for some unexpected situation. And, unlike AWS, I wouldn’t expect to be able to reach someone at Google to cancel the charge.
tiberious726 3y ago
> In fact, the organization enforces deliberate poverty, amongst its chapters. You mean a cult. This isn't a real issue for properly run 501c3, it's a tax registration for a reason.
- ChrisMarshallNY 3y ago
  > You mean a cult. Well, isn't that special? Have a great day!