# Google Maps vs OpenStreetMap **URL:** \ **Category:** Elements\ **Created:** [May 13, 2026, 7:58am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100 "2026-05-13T07:58:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sweetmemories](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@sweetmemories](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/sweetmemories)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 7:58am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100/1 "2026-05-13T07:58:48Z")
When I try to use the Maps module integrated into Elements, it suggests Google Maps. However, once I reach the Google API page, it asks for my credit card information, even though the service is free up to a certain limit. Would it be possible for you @dan to also offer OpenStreetMap as an option ? ---
**Author:** ![jbob](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/jbob/32/31581_2.png) [@jbob](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/jbob)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 8:01am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100/2 "2026-05-13T08:01:33Z")
Agree - it’s not that I don’t trust Google … … but I don’t trust Google ---
**Author:** ![logrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@logrunner](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/logrunner)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 9:14am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100/3 "2026-05-13T09:14:37Z")
You only have to look at this article to see why giving Google your credit card details could be a big and expensive mistake 😬 : > **[Google users fight for refunds as unauthorized API usage bills soar](https://www.theregister.com/ai-ml/2026/05/13/google-users-fight-for-refunds-as-unauthorized-api-usage-bills-soar/5239160)** > > 'What the hell is going on? It's just draining my money' ---
**Author:** ![infomatique](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/infomatique/32/5463_2.png) [@infomatique](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/infomatique)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 9:53am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100/4 "2026-05-13T09:53:02Z")
I had to cancel my subscription to Google Maps as they started charging me and it was expensive considering that it had been free for many years. The cancel process was not easy ---
**Author:** ![differentdan](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/forums.realmacsoftware.com/differentdan/32/33530_2.png) [@differentdan](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/differentdan)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 11:07am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100/5 "2026-05-13T11:07:04Z")
If your bank provides the option, it’s always best to use a virtual credit card when signing up for these kinds of online services. Then you can set a spend limit and close down the the card whenever you want. OpenStreetMap would be cool though. ---
**Author:** ![sweetmemories](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@sweetmemories](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/sweetmemories)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 11:41am UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100/6 "2026-05-13T11:41:55Z")
A simple example of what can be done with Custom HTML and OpenStreetMap in Elements ![Capture d’écran 2026-05-13 à 13.42.42](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/realmacsoftware1/original/3X/1/6/16b0039a7e819630f0cba61ae3796c4cbe945d26.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![RussOggi255](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@RussOggi255](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/u/RussOggi255)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://forums.realmacsoftware.com/t/google-maps-vs-openstreetmap/56100/7 "2026-05-13T16:03:22Z")
I guess it would mean Dan et al setting ups server to server OSM data. As I understand it, OSM would prefer you not to use their servers.