# geolith vs Mapbox Geocoding

> Mapbox splits geocoding into two products: the Temporary Geocoding API (100,000 free requests a month, then $0.75 per 1,000) whose results you may not store, and the Permanent Geocoding API at $5.00 per 1,000 for results you keep (Mapbox pricing page, read 22 Oct 2026). geolith has one API: 100,000 free requests a month, flat plans from $19 for 1,000,000, and every result may be stored permanently.

## Side by side

| | geolith | Mapbox Geocoding API |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Data | OpenStreetMap + Overture Maps | Mapbox data (includes OpenStreetMap and other sources) |
| Hosted pricing | Free 100,000 requests/month; Starter $19 (1M); Growth $99 (7.5M); Scale $299 (25M) | Temporary: 100,000 free, then $0.75, $0.60, $0.45 per 1,000. Permanent: $5.00 per 1,000 (1–500k), $4.00 above |
| Storing results | Allowed on every plan, no extra fee | Only through the Permanent Geocoding API |
| Autocomplete | /v1/autocomplete, same price as any request | Search Box API billed per session: 500 free, then $3.00 per 1,000 (preview pricing) |
| Self-hosting | One static .glx file, no database | No |

Vendor pricing and policy read from their public pages on 2026-10-22.

## Where Mapbox is strong

Mapbox has a large product line: map styles, navigation SDKs and worldwide search. If you are already on Mapbox maps and only show results on screen, its Temporary API is inexpensive.

## Where geolith fits better

If you save geocoded addresses, the Mapbox bill moves to the Permanent API price. geolith charges the same for every request and lets you keep them all.

## Questions

### Can I store Mapbox temporary geocoding results?

Mapbox sells storable results through its Permanent Geocoding API; the Temporary API is for display. With geolith every result may be stored.

### Do geolith tiles work with MapLibre like Mapbox tiles?

Yes. geolith serves TileJSON and Mapbox Vector Tiles for MapLibre GL JS. Today the hosted tile set is a sample; a full basemap is planned.

## Guides

- https://geolith.app/guides/store-locator-maplibre

Get a free API key (100,000 requests a month): https://console.geolith.app/signup