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What You Need to Know About Google Maps Platform Pricing

  • Writer: 28East
    28East
  • Mar 31
  • 3 min read


By Marius Van der Merwe, Managing Director


With dozens of APIs and a flexible pay-as-you-go model, Google Maps Platform gives developers the tools to build smart, location-based apps. But flexible pricing also means more responsibility.


That’s why understanding how Google Maps pricing works is key. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about monitoring your usage, estimating cost, and optimising your implementation.

What is Google Maps Platform and How Is It Priced?


Google Maps Platform is a suite of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to build location-based features directly into web or mobile applications. The product is grouped into four main categories:


  • Maps: This is for interactive visualisations, including street view, static or dynamic maps, 3D terrain, and custom styling.


  • Routes: This is used for route planning and navigation.


  • Places: For rich place data, such as business information and contact details.


  • Environment: A newer category that includes APIs for solar potential, air quality, and pollen forecasts.


The Google Maps Platform operates on a pay-as-you-go model. Each API call incurs a cost, and pricing is based on your usage. This makes it flexible, but also important to monitor so that you don’t overspend.

Volume discounts and special pricing 


Google automatically applies volume discounts as your usage increases. These discounts are structured in five tiers, with discounts applied progressively as your request volume goes up. 


Google also offers alternative pricing models for high-volume cases like fleet tracking or mobility services. These options require pre-approval and are only available to qualifying customers. 

Estimating Your Usage and Cost 


Estimating your Google Maps Platform spend starts with understanding how APIs work. Each API is billed based on usage, so to estimate your costs, you’ll need to break down:


  • Which APIs your application will call.

  • How often these calls happen in a typical user session.

  • The number of expected users per day or month.


Google provides a pricing calculator to help with this, but it can still feel technical. At 28East, we can help businesses estimate usages at API level, using real examples and applying volume discounts where relevant.

Common mistakes that drive up costs


Some of the most common cost-related issues typically happen early in the setup phase. These include: 


  • Using a Gmail account to set up the project.

  • Leaving API keys unrestricted.

  • Implementing APIs incorrectly.


These issues often result in higher-than-expected costs. The good news is they can usually be corrected with a few code adjustments and proper setup guidance.

Containing costs: lockdown and quotas


To avoid runaway costs, businesses can take a few simple yet critical steps:


  • Restrict API keys to specific domains, IPs, or mobile apps.


  • Control project access by granting permissions only to team members who need it.


  • Set quotas on your APIs to cap the number of requests per minute or per day.

Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts to Stay Ahead


Managing your Google Maps Platform costs can help you stay on track with your spend. Here’s how:


  • Track usage in real-time.

  • Set up billing alerts.

  • Get notified as you approach budget limits.

  • Monitor for usage spikes.


Implementing these steps can help you stay ahead of any unusual costs, whether it's caused by a configuration issue or a sudden surge is uses.

Optimising Your Google Maps Implementation


To get the most out of Google Maps Platform, focus on functionality over aesthetics. APIs should serve a clear purpose, whether it’s improving user experience or solving a logistics challenge.


It’s also important to follow implementation best practices. Avoid overcalling APIs, cache results where possible, and work with a Google Maps partner like 28East to make sure your setup is done correctly.

What’s Changing and How To Prepare


While no major price increases have been announced, Google continues to evolve the platform.


The biggest recent shift? Volume discounts are now available to all accounts, not just those managed by partners. This makes the platform much for accessible, especially for growing businesses.


Looking ahead, Google is investing heavily in new APIs, automation, and smarter billing tools.

Need Help Managing Your Google Maps Platform?


Navigating the Google Maps Platform can be challenging, which is why you need a trusted Google Maps partner by your side.


At 28East, we’re all about minimising this headache. We can help your business simplify your Maps usage, support with setup, cost estimation, monitoring, and even billing. Partner with us and get the most out of Google Maps.


 
 
 

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