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Nominatim (OSM) vs Smappee API

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

APINominatim (OSM)HEALTHY96Smappee APIHEALTHY89
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%100%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms332809
P95 · ms9901644
AuthuserAgentapiKey
CORSyesno
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial usenounclear
Data licenseODbL (OpenStreetMap)Unverified
Free tier1 req/sec, identified UA requiredFree tier — API key required
Rate limit1/sec hard — per applicationUnpublished
In directory since2026-05-022026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

Nominatim (OSM) vs Smappee API: common questions

Which is more reliable, Nominatim (OSM) or Smappee API?

Both are neck-and-neck — Nominatim (OSM) and Smappee API each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.

Which is faster, Nominatim (OSM) or Smappee API?

Nominatim (OSM) has the lower median latency in our checks — Nominatim (OSM) responds in 332 ms versus Smappee API at 809 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.

Do Nominatim (OSM) and Smappee API need an API key?

Nominatim (OSM) needs no key, while Smappee API requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Nominatim (OSM) first.

Can I call Nominatim (OSM) and Smappee API from the browser?

Only Nominatim (OSM) is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Smappee API needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are Nominatim (OSM) and Smappee API free for commercial use?

Nominatim (OSM) is personal/non-commercial only, and Smappee API has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.