Mapping APIs

Mapping APIs provide location services and intelligence to developers for various applications, from finding routes to events to planning shipping routes and offering location-based recommendations.

Mapping APIs

About Mapping APIs

Mapping APIs offer location services and intelligence to developers that provide services or products relative to a place. Whether mapping out the best route to take to an upcoming event, planning shipping routes, or offering location-based recommendations, a mapping API can help accomplish this and much more.

What is a Mapping API?

A mapping API is the primary building block in any location-based application. Mapping APIs may include directions, geocoding, geolocations, navigation, and reverse geocoding features. In addition, the maps included may be turn-by-turn, satellite, terrain, or a mix of all three.

Map APIs may also include functionality for customizable control objects. Developers can build in images and graphics, markers, widgets, and popups depending on their needs.

How does a Mapping API work?

Mapping APIs use code to tap into massive geolocation databases to return informational and directional functionality into third-party applications and websites. The leading map database providers, like Google, will provide complete software development kits (SDKs) to help developers implement the APIs into their creations.

Who can benefit from Mapping APIs?

There are thousands of use cases for mappings APIs that can benefit developers, web admins, companies, and end-users. Besides typical travel directions, some examples are:

  • Restaurants determining delivery areas
  • Import and export managers optimizing shipping routes and schedules
  • City planning engineers analyzing traffic patterns
  • Researchers tracking disease outbreaks
  • Meteorologists observing weather anomalies

Why are Mapping APIs necessary?

While they can still be found in local gas stations and bookstores, paper maps and atlases are rarely used these days. Even people who are into boondocking and offroading often have favorite applications they turn to for satellite terrain images and location features. The ability to have a device in one’s hand to ensure never getting lost is priceless, and this capability is powered by a mapping API.

What can you expect from a Mapping API?

First and foremost, a developer should ensure the data they are accessing is the most up-to-date available for functionality and user experience. Since a user’s location needs to be turned on for many features to work optimally, encryption standards must be high. As roads and travel conditions change regularly, the API and database it connects to should both remain current.

Are there examples of free Mapping APIs?

  1. Map Tiles
  2. Reverse Geocoding and Geolocation Service
  3. Boundaries-io
  4. TrueWay Places
  5. TrueWay Geocoding
  6. Forward and Reverse Geocoding
  7. Mapilion - Vector and Raster Map Tiles
  8. TrueWay Matrix
  9. TrueWay Directions
  10. Places
  11. Route and Directions

Mapping API SDKs

All Mapping APIs are supported and made available in multiple developer programming languages and SDKs including:

  1. Node.js
  2. PHP
  3. Python
  4. Ruby
  5. Objective-C
  6. Java (Android)
  7. C# (.NET)
  8. cURL

Just select your preference from any API endpoints page.

Sign up today for free on RapidAPI to begin using Mapping APIs!