Nominatim: Open-source geocoding with OpenStreetMap data. PostGIS: Spatial database extension for PostgreSQL.
| Nominatim | PostGIS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Geocoding, Routing & Location APIs | Spatial Analysis & GeoAI |
| Pricing model | Open source | Open source |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Software licence | GPL-3.0 (software), ODbL (data) | GPL-2.0 |
| API | Yes | — |
| Platforms | API, Linux | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| Made by | — | — |
| Commercial use | With conditions | Allowed |
| Export / print images | Allowed | Allowed |
| Offline / caching | Allowed | Allowed |
| Visits from MapTools | 2 | 3 |
| Visit | Visit |
Nominatim features
- Forward and reverse geocoding
- OpenStreetMap data
- Self-hostable
- Structured and free-form search
The public nominatim.openstreetmap.org instance allows at most 1 request per second and no bulk geocoding. Self-host for heavy or commercial workloads.
Nominatim alternativesPostGIS features
- Geometry, geography and raster types
- Spatial indexes
- Hundreds of ST_ functions
- Topology and routing (pgRouting)
Summary based on public information. Check each provider's current pricing and terms.