GraphHopper

GraphHopper is a location-services platform built for applications and transport operations that need routing, route optimization, or geospatial tools. It is best suited to teams that can integrate APIs or use its open-source engine; commercial users should weigh the generous range of tools against daily credit and request caps.

Overview

GraphHopper combines routing, vehicle planning, geocoding, and other location services. Routing returns travel times, distances, and turn-by-turn directions, with vehicle-specific and custom profiles. Optimization can account for time windows, vehicle capacity, and service times, which makes it relevant to operational scheduling as well as navigation.

The commercial APIs build on the Java-based open-source GraphHopper routing engine and jsprit. The engine supports cloud servers, mobile devices, self-hosting, and offline use. GraphHopper uses OpenStreetMap data for routing and geocoding and works with map providers such as Thunderforest and MapTiler. The project began in 2014; the company was founded in Munich in 2016.

Key features

Routing and geospatial tools

Traffic-aware planning uses TomTom traffic data to account for changing travel times during the day. Geocoding converts between addresses and coordinates, while territory planning, GPS track processing, distance and time calculations, and service-area mapping broaden the toolkit beyond route directions. That range can reduce the need to assemble separate location services, though teams still need to integrate the APIs into their own application or operation.

Vehicle planning and integration

Time windows, vehicle capacities, and service times give route optimization practical constraints for transport operations. The product supports a maximum of 30 stops. API documentation includes Java and JavaScript client libraries and recommends MapLibre Navigation SDK for turn-by-turn navigation on iOS or Android.

GraphHopper says API requests are processed on Hetzner servers in Germany, stored for up to five weeks, and protected in transit with HTTPS, PFS, and similar techniques. All plans include online support, software updates, and at least weekly OpenStreetMap data updates. Paid plans add email support, with telephone support on Premium.

Pricing

GraphHopper has a free plan and paid plans billed monthly. Annual payment is available on Basic, Standard, and Premium. The free tier is limited to non-commercial use and has no guarantees, so it is not a safe basis for a commercial service that depends on reliable access.

Free also caps requests at 5 locations and 1 vehicle, with forum-only support; it has limited credits per minute and vehicle profiles, and does not support flexible mode. Basic is the lowest paid entry point at €69 a month, raising capacity to 30 locations and 2 vehicles per request. Standard and Premium suit progressively larger workloads, but their higher daily credits do not remove per-request ceilings. Custom is the option for larger stated request limits, with price set by GraphHopper. No plan lists a seat allowance.

Platforms

GraphHopper supports Android, iOS, web, APIs, and self-hosting. Its open-source engine's offline and mobile support gives developers deployment flexibility, while the documented client libraries cover Java and JavaScript.

Who it's for

Choose GraphHopper if you are building an application that needs configurable vehicle routing, or managing transport routes subject to capacity and time constraints. It is also a fit when geocoding, traffic-aware planning, or service-area tools belong alongside routing. Look elsewhere if you need flexible mode or service guarantees on a free plan, or if the published request ceilings do not match your workload.

Pros and cons

• Broad location toolkit: Routing, optimization, geocoding, track processing, and service-area mapping sit within one product.
• Operational constraints: Time windows, capacities, and service times make optimization more relevant to fleet planning than simple directions alone.
• Deployment choice: The open-source Java engine supports self-hosting and offline use as well as cloud and mobile deployment.
• Free tier has sharp boundaries: Non-commercial use only, limited credits and profiles, no flexible mode, and no guarantees restrict its role to evaluation or qualifying non-commercial work.
• Request and daily caps: Even paid plans limit credits and the size of individual requests, so high-volume or large-vehicle operations may need Custom pricing.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Route Planning Software and Route Optimization Software.

Route4Me is worth considering for simpler stop-based route planning: its free plan allows 10 stops and saves routes for 7 days, while the paid Monthly plan is $9.99 a month with unlimited stops. Badger Maps offers a 14-day free plan with route optimization up to 120 stops and native iOS and Android apps, a different starting point for users prioritizing those app and stop limits.

Navmii provides free SDK access. Moovit may suit readers seeking free transit planning, real-time information, and directions instead of transport-operation APIs. Timemoz, SalesRoute.ai, Harpus Field Sales, and SalesRabbit Appointment Management are other alternatives to consider.

Verdict

GraphHopper is a strong choice for developers and transport operators who need routing APIs, constrained vehicle optimization, and geospatial tools in one product, with the added option of an open-source engine for self-hosting or offline use. Commercial buyers should match their daily volume and request sizes to a paid plan before committing; readers who need flexible mode or guarantees without paying should look elsewhere.