Google Maps Platform vs Mapbox:Which is searched more?
In September 2026, Mapbox had more branded searches than Google Maps Platform among geolocation APIs worldwide. Mapbox had about 135,000 branded searches, while Google Maps Platform had 61,600. Mapbox made up 28.5% of all geolocation API searches we track, and Google Maps Platform accounted for 13%. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
Follow Google Maps Platform vs Mapbox and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Is Google Maps Platform or Mapbox more popular in search?
Compare the APIs used to add maps and location. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of searches by month for Mapbox, Google Maps Platform. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | TomTom | Mapbox | Google Maps Platform | HERE Technologies | Geoapify | App Radar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 48.4% | 26.5% | 20.6% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 0.87% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.2% | 30.3% | 19.3% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.99% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.8% | 27.3% | 18% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 45.2% | 30.3% | 19.3% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.9% | 32.1% | 14.7% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.86% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.2% | 31.7% | 15.1% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 1% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.6% | 28.8% | 13.7% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.78% |
| May 2026 | 52.9% | 29% | 13.2% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.78% |
| Jun 2026 | 50.9% | 27.9% | 15.6% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.92% |
| Jul 2026 | 76.9% | 12.6% | 7.7% | 1.4% | 0.93% | 0.41% |
| Aug 2026 | 56.4% | 25.3% | 13.4% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 0.83% |
| Sep 2026 | 52% | 28.5% | 13% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 0.76% |
How has the Google Maps Platform and Mapbox comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Mapbox was ahead of Google Maps Platform in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Maps Platform’s share of searches among geolocation APIs worldwide moved from 20.6% to 13%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 128K to 61.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mapbox’s share of searches among geolocation APIs worldwide moved from 26.5% to 28.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
How did search popularity change for geolocation APIs worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Mapbox gained share of searches among geolocation APIs worldwide, from 25.3% to 28.5%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Google Maps Platform worldwide fell 51.9% over 12 measured months, from 128K to 61.6K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Maps Platform’s and Mapbox’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Google Maps Platform
2 branded search terms
- google maps api
- google maps platform
Mapbox
1 branded search term
- mapbox
Other head-to-heads among geolocation APIs
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.