HERE Maps

Overview

HERE Maps offers a platform of location-based services and APIs tailored for developers to embed advanced geospatial capabilities into their applications. The platform provides access to services like precise geocoding, multi-modal routing, detailed map rendering, and real-time traffic data. These services are built upon a foundation of continuously updated mapping data, which is compiled from various sources including sensor data from vehicles and community contributions.

The HERE platform is designed to support a range of use cases, from the development of in-car navigation systems to complex logistics and fleet management solutions. Its core offerings include the Geocoding & Search API for converting addresses to coordinates and finding points of interest, the Routing API for calculating optimal paths based on various parameters (e.g., vehicle type, traffic conditions), and the Maps API for displaying interactive maps. Additionally, the Traffic API delivers real-time and predictive traffic information, which is critical for dynamic routing adjustments and estimated time of arrival (ETA) calculations.

Target users for HERE Maps typically include enterprises in the automotive sector, logistics and transportation companies, and developers building location-aware applications for mobile or web platforms. The platform's emphasis on high-quality data and robust algorithms positions it as a suitable choice for applications requiring precise location intelligence and reliable navigation capabilities. Developers can access the platform through a range of SDKs for popular environments such as JavaScript, Android, iOS, Flutter, and React Native, simplifying integration into diverse development stacks. The developer experience is supported by extensive documentation and examples across several programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, Java, and cURL.

Its lineage, stemming from a consortium of major automotive companies, underpins its focus on precision and reliability for mission-critical applications in mobility and logistics. This background contributes to its data quality, particularly in areas like road networks and traffic patterns, which are essential for autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) development. For comparison, Google Maps Platform also offers automotive solutions, but HERE maintains a distinct focus on enterprise-grade, high-definition mapping data for specialized industry applications. Compliance with standards such as GDPR and ISO 27001 underscores the platform's commitment to data privacy and security, which is important for enterprise deployments.

Key features

• Geocoding & Search API: Converts street addresses into geographic coordinates and vice-versa, offering forward and reverse geocoding. It also supports searching for points of interest (POIs) and addresses globally.
• Routing API: Provides flexible route calculation for various vehicle types (car, truck, pedestrian, bicycle) considering real-time traffic, road restrictions, and optimization for shortest or fastest paths. Supports multi-stop routes and matrix routing.
• Maps API: Enables the display of raster and vector maps with customizable styles and layers. Offers interactive map functionalities like panning, zooming, and adding markers or overlays.
• Traffic API: Delivers real-time and historical traffic information, including incidents, road closures, and traffic flow data, used for dynamic routing and congestion avoidance.
• Location Services: A broader category encompassing additional services such as geofencing, in-building positioning, and hazardous materials routing, designed for specialized location intelligence applications.
• Offline Maps: Functionality to download map data for use in environments without internet connectivity, critical for automotive and remote field operations.
• SDKs for Multiple Platforms: Supports development across web, mobile, and cross-platform environments with dedicated SDKs for JavaScript, Android, iOS, Flutter, and React Native platforms.

Pricing

HERE Maps operates on a freemium model with various paid tiers designed to scale with usage. The platform offers a free tier for initial development and low-volume applications, with commercial plans activating once transaction limits are exceeded. Transaction pricing varies by service, with detailed breakdowns available on their developer portal.

Pricing as of May 2026:

For specific service pricing and detailed usage costs, refer to the HERE Developer Pricing page.

Common integrations

• Web Applications (JavaScript): Integrate HERE Maps directly into browser-based applications using the HERE Maps API for JavaScript, enabling interactive maps, routing, and search functionalities.
• Android Applications: Develop native Android apps with location features using the HERE SDK for Android, supporting navigation, mapping, and geocoding.
• iOS Applications: Build location-aware iOS apps with the HERE SDK for iOS, offering similar capabilities for Apple devices.
• Flutter Applications: Integrate mapping and location services into cross-platform Flutter apps using the HERE SDK for Flutter.
• React Native Applications: For cross-platform mobile development, the HERE SDK for React Native provides access to core HERE services.
• Backend Systems (REST APIs): Integrate HERE Geocoding, Routing, and other services into server-side applications using direct REST API calls with languages like Python, Java, or Node.js.

Alternatives

• Google Maps Platform: Offers a broad suite of mapping, routing, and location APIs, widely used for general consumer and business applications.
• Mapbox: Provides customizable maps, location data, and developer tools, with a strong focus on design and real-time data.
• OpenCage Geocoder: A geocoding API that aggregates data from OpenStreetMap and other open data sources, offering a simple and cost-effective solution for address lookup.
• ArcGIS Platform: Esri's developer platform for building location-aware applications, offering advanced geospatial analysis and mapping capabilities, particularly strong in GIS and enterprise solutions.
• TomTom Developer Portal: Provides APIs for maps, traffic, navigation, and location-based services, similar to HERE in focus on automotive and logistics.

Getting started

To begin using HERE Maps, developers typically register on the HERE Developer Portal to obtain an API key. This key authenticates requests to HERE services. The following JavaScript example demonstrates how to initialize a basic map and display it on a webpage using the HERE Maps API for JavaScript.

// Replace with your actual HERE API key
const YOUR_HERE_API_KEY = 'YOUR_API_KEY_HERE';

// Initialize the platform object
const platform = new H.service.Platform({
  apikey: YOUR_HERE_API_KEY
});

// Obtain the default map types from the platform object:
const defaultLayers = platform.createDefaultLayers();

// Instantiate (and display) a map object:
const map = new H.Map(
  document.getElementById('mapContainer'),
  defaultLayers.vector.normal.map,
  {
    zoom: 10,
    center: { lat: 52.5, lng: 13.4 }
  }
);

// Add a resize listener to make sure that the map occupies the whole container
window.addEventListener('resize', () => map.getViewPort().resize());

// Create the default UI:
const ui = H.ui.UI.createDefault(map, defaultLayers);

// Add the interactive behavior to the map
const mapEvents = new H.mapevents.MapEvents(map);
const behavior = new H.mapevents.Behavior(mapEvents);

// Example: Add a marker to the map
const marker = new H.map.Marker({ lat: 52.51, lng: 13.4 });
map.addObject(marker);

// HTML structure for the map container:
// <div id="mapContainer" style="width: 100%; height: 400px; background: grey;"></div>
// Ensure to include the HERE SDK script and CSS in your HTML:
// <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://js.api.here.com/v3/3.1/mapsjs-ui.css" />
// <script type="text/javascript" src="https://js.api.here.com/v3/3.1/mapsjs.js"></script>
// <script type="text/javascript" src="https://js.api.here.com/v3/3.1/mapsjs-ui.js"></script>
// <script type="text/javascript" src="https://js.api.here.com/v3/3.1/mapsjs-mapevents.js"></script>

This JavaScript example demonstrates the core steps: importing the necessary HERE SDK libraries, initializing the platform with an API key, creating a map instance tied to an HTML element, and optionally adding UI components and basic map interactions like markers. For detailed setup instructions and examples for other languages and SDKs, developers should consult the official HERE documentation.