Top 20 Location and Maps SDKs Used in iOS Apps on the Apple App Store
We at 42matters have identified the 20 most popular Location and Maps SDKs leveraged by iOS apps available on the iOS app market.
Location and Map SDKs help developers leverage location-based services, like mapping, navigation, and geolocation, for their mobile apps, without having to build them from scratch. This may include things like maps, geocoding, routing, and other location-based services.
This list is based on our analysis of the millions of mobile applications – and the 2,300+ SDKs they use – that constitute the vast inventory of the Apple App Store. The accompanying data provides readers with a glimpse into the rich mobile application insights generated by the 42matters technology. This data is also available via our APIs, file dumps, Explorer, and SDK Explorer.
The intended purpose of this article is to assist app builders in their search for the perfect Location and Maps SDK to leverage in their app, as well as to give SDK developers insight into their biggest competitors and potential customers. This data collected by our technology may also serve as a useful tool for folks researching the wider mobile app market.
The 20 most widely-integrated location and maps SDKs:
Apple MapKit
Check “Apple MapKit” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 77.54% have integrated Apple MapKit. This accounts for 92.55% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple MapKit.
Google Maps
Check “Google Maps” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 34.87% have integrated Google Maps. This accounts for 15.87% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
The Google Maps Platform is a set of APIs and SDKs that allows developers to embed Google Maps into mobile apps and web pages, or to retrieve data from Google Maps.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Google Maps.
Places by Google
Check “Places by Google” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 10.43% have integrated Places by Google. This accounts for 7.70% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Google's Places API is a service that returns information about places using HTTP requests. Places are defined within this API as establishments, geographic locations, or prominent points of interest.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Places by Google.
Gaode AMap
Check “Gaode AMap” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 5.99% have integrated Gaode AMap. This accounts for 5.90% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Gaode Map SDK is an SDK used for geocoding.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Gaode AMap.
Baidu Maps
Check “Baidu Maps” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 3.14% have integrated Baidu Maps. This accounts for 2.79% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Baidu Maps is a desktop and mobile web mapping service application and SDK provided by Baidu. It offers satellite imagery, street maps, street view, and indoor view perspectives, as well as functions such as a route planner for traveling by foot, car, or with public transportation.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Baidu Maps.
Among all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 2.22% have integrated Mapbox. This accounts for 3.17% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Mapbox is an open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Mapbox.
INTULocationManager
Check “INTULocationManager” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, 1.11% have integrated INTULocationManager. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
The LocationManager SDK makes it easy to get a device's current location. It's currently heading on iOS. It's an Objective-C library that works great in Swift.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use INTULocationManager.
Yandex Map Kit
Check “Yandex Map Kit” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Yandex Map Kit. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Yandex Map Kit is an SDK library that allows you to use Yandex map data and technologies in mobile applications.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Yandex Map Kit.
Kakao API
Check “Kakao API” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Kakao API. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Kakao API is a multi-platform texting SDK that allows iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry apps to send and receive messages for free.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Kakao API.
Location
Check “Location” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Location. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Location is a Software Development Kit (SDK) that offers background location update programming over an extended period of time. It works for both iOS 7 and iOS 8.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Location.
Route-Me
Check “Route-Me” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Route-Me. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Route-Me is an open source map library SDK that runs natively on iOS. It's designed to look and feel much like the inbuilt iOS map library, but it's entirely open, and works with any map source.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Route-Me.
ArcGIS Esri
Check “ArcGIS Esri” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated ArcGIS Esri. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
ArcGIS provides contextual tools for mapping and spatial reasoning so you can explore data and share location-based insights.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use ArcGIS Esri.
BSForwardGeocoder
Check “BSForwardGeocoder” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated BSForwardGeocoder. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
The BSForwardGeocoder SDK supports reverse geocoding out of the box. Reverse geocoding means you have a coordinate and want to find out where you are located; for instance, the name of the street you are on. Forward geocoding means you know the name of a location and want to find the coordinates.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use BSForwardGeocoder.
Kontakt.io
Check “Kontakt.io” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Kontakt.io. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Kontakt.io is an SDK that helps you reduce the complexity and costs of capturing and processing location and sensor data.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Kontakt.io.
Colocator
Check “Colocator” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Colocator. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Colocator provides an end-to-end solution for positioning, location data gathering, processing, and visualization.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Colocator.
CMMapLauncher
Check “CMMapLauncher” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated CMMapLauncher. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
CMMapLauncher is a mini-library SDK for iOS that makes it quick and easy to show directions in various mapping applications.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use CMMapLauncher.
FlyBuy by Radius Networks
Check “FlyBuy by Radius Networks” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated FlyBuy by Radius Networks. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use FlyBuy by Radius Networks.
Carto Mobile Maps
Check “Carto Mobile Maps” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Carto Mobile Maps. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Carto Mobile Maps.
Radar.io
Check “Radar.io” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Radar.io. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
Radar.io is the easiest location data platform SDK for startups. It offers developer-friendly, privacy-first geofencing and geo APIs that help product and growth teams build amazing location-based app experiences.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Radar.io.
Beaconsinspace
Check “Beaconsinspace” SDK InsightsAmong all apps utilizing location and maps SDKs, <1% have integrated Beaconsinspace. This accounts for <1% of app downloads within the location and maps SDK category.
BeaconsInSpace is a marketplace SDK for app developers to access iBeacon infrastructure. It offers a simple API that provides developers with access to beacons placed in high-traffic establishments in major cities.
Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Beaconsinspace.
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