What should I use for geolocation and maps data?

It depends on what you mean by “geolocation and maps data,” but here’s a practical way to choose:

If you need map display + search + directions

Use a map platform/API:

• Google Maps Platform — best all-around coverage, POI search, directions, geocoding, traffic; expensive at scale.
• Mapbox — very customizable maps, good developer experience, flexible styling.
• HERE — strong routing, logistics, fleet use cases.
• TomTom — good for navigation/routing and automotive-oriented products.
• OpenStreetMap (OSM) — open data source; usually paired with another service for tiles, geocoding, routing.

If you need geocoding / reverse geocoding

Use:

• Google Geocoding API
• Mapbox Geocoding
• HERE Geocoding
• Nominatim (OSM-based; good for low-volume/open-source use, but not ideal for heavy production unless self-hosted)

If you need routing / travel times

Use:

• Google Directions / Distance Matrix
• Mapbox Directions
• HERE Routing
• OSRM / GraphHopper if you want open-source/self-hosted options

If you need location tracking / coordinates from devices

Use:

• Browser Geolocation API for web
• iOS Core Location
• Android Fused Location Provider
• For backend/device telemetry, store raw lat/lng + timestamp in your DB and optionally use a geospatial database.

If you need to store/query location data

Use a geospatial database:

• PostgreSQL + PostGIS — the most common and powerful choice
• MongoDB geospatial indexes — if you’re already on MongoDB
• BigQuery GIS / Snowflake GIS — for analytics at scale

If you want open-source / self-hosted

Good stack:

• OpenStreetMap data
• PostGIS for storage/query
• Nominatim for geocoding
• OSRM or GraphHopper for routing
• MapLibre for map rendering

Quick recommendations

• Startup / fastest to ship: Google Maps or Mapbox
• Need open data and lower vendor lock-in: OpenStreetMap + PostGIS + MapLibre
• Need routing/logistics: HERE, Google, or OSRM/GraphHopper
• Need analytics on location data: PostGIS

If you tell me:

1. web/mobile/backend,
2. whether you need maps, search, routing, or tracking,
3. your budget and scale,

I can recommend a specific stack.