What are the best Google Places API alternatives?

Geoapify for cheap OSM power, Foursquare for social insights, HERE for enterprise heft.

Is Geoapify's Places API free?

Generous free tier, then pay-per-use—way under Google for most apps.

Why is Google Places API so expensive?

Per-request, per-field billing, plus strict terms lock you in.

Google Places API's Miami Beach Flop: Better POI Picks for 2026

Picture this: hunting restaurants in Miami Beach. Google's API demands a POST ritual with field masks. Why suffer when alternatives deliver with a simple GET?

theAIcatchup Apr 08, 2026 3 min read

Screenshot of POI API responses comparing restaurants near Miami Beach coordinates

⚡ Key Takeaways

Google Places API is rich but pricey and restrictive—alternatives like Geoapify offer simpler GET requests and open data. 𝕏
Tested on Miami Beach restaurants: Geoapify and Foursquare deliver fast, lean results without the bloat. 𝕏
By 2026, OSM-based APIs could dominate as antitrust pressures rise on Google. 𝕏

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#Foursquare Places #Foursquare Places API #Geoapify #Google Places API #Google Places API alternatives #POI API #TomTom Search #TomTom Search API

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Originally reported by dev.to

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