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Bing Maps API

Paid API

What Bing Maps API is

Bing Maps REST Services is a Microsoft API for adding location, mapping, routing, elevation, imagery, traffic, autosuggest, and time-zone functions to software. The Locations API finds places from addresses, points, or queries. Elevations can be returned for locations, paths, or areas, while Imagery can provide static maps, route maps, or imagery metadata. Routes supports walking, driving, and transit directions, with traffic information along a route; the Traffic API covers geographic areas. Responses are JSON by default, with XML available through the output parameter. Every request requires a Bing Maps Key, and valid-key requests count as transactions. Requests must use standard HTTP ports 80 or 443. The API is paid, with pricing on request and no free plan. Microsoft says Bing Maps for Enterprise is retired for free Basic account customers. Enterprise customers can continue until June 30, 2028, after which REST APIs and SDKs must be updated to Azure Maps.

Who it suits

Bing Maps REST Services suits developers adding geocoding, maps, routes, elevation, traffic, or time-zone lookups through an API. It requires managing a Bing Maps Key and transaction-based requests.

What it does well

Geocoding by address, point, or query
Walking, driving, and transit routes
Static maps and imagery metadata
Elevation and traffic services
JSON or XML responses

What to know first

No free plan
Pricing available only on request
Bing Maps Key required
Basic free accounts retired

Verdict

Bing Maps REST Services covers a broad set of mapping and location tasks through one API. Paid access, key-based transaction counting, and the stated retirement path for Enterprise customers are central considerations.

Facts from Bing Maps API's own pages

Authentication: Using Bing Maps REST Services requires a Bing Maps Key. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Elevation: The Elevations API returns elevations for locations, paths, or areas on Earth. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Geocoding: The Locations API finds locations using an address, point, or query. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Maker: Microsoft was founded in 1975 and its corporate headquarters are in Redmond, Washington. · news.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Maps and imagery: The Imagery API can return a static map, a static map with a route, or imagery metadata. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Other services: The REST services include autosuggest and time zone lookup and conversion. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Request ports: The Bing Maps API works only with requests using standard HTTP ports 80 or 443. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Response formats: REST requests can return JSON by default or XML when requested with the output parameter. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Routes and traffic: The Routes API supports walking, driving, and transit routes and provides traffic information along a route; the Traffic API returns traffic information for a geographic area. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Service retirement: Microsoft says Bing Maps for Enterprise is retired for free Basic account customers; Enterprise customers can continue using it until June 30, 2028, after which they must update REST APIs and SDKs to Azure Maps. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support: Microsoft directs developers to Bing Maps Forums for questions and lists [email protected] for account, key, and access issues. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
Usage accounting: Transactions are counted for each REST Services request sent with a valid Bing Maps Key. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026
What it does: Bing Maps REST Services is a REST API for tasks such as finding addresses, retrieving maps with pushpins and labels, and getting driving directions. · learn.microsoft.com, 5 Oct 2026

Where Bing Maps API stands on Freedom251

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