Bhavish Aggarwal responds to Google, launches free Ola Maps APIs for developers, startups

Ola 's Krutrim AI has updated the pricing structure for Ola Maps with a completely free tier for five million API (Application Programming Interface) calls per month, supporting over 90% of Indian developers and startups.

An API allows developers to add Ola Maps’ features to their applications, improving user experience with accurate location data. Each interaction with the API—such as retrieving location data or generating routes—counts as one "call".

Offering five million free calls per month means developers can use these API functions extensively without paying for usage up to that limit.

The development comes after Google reduced Google Maps Platform pricing for developers in India by up to 70%, starting August 1, 2024, to enhance accessibility for developers creating location-based solutions in the country. The tech giant announced at its Google I/O Connect in Bengaluru event on Wednesday.

Ola's CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, in a blog post, announced that for larger volumes of API calls, Ola Maps is offering prices at 50% of Google's reduced rates for its users. Additionally, the founder stated that users committing to Ola Maps for more than three years will receive two years free.

He wrote, “Google has responded by reducing their prices by 70% and offering payment in ₹. While this is a step, it's long overdue. We believe Indian developers deserve better than last-minute concessions. Why did it take an Indian challenger to prompt this change?”

“For years, global big tech giants have viewed India primarily as a market to tap. They've imposed high costs on our developers, collected our data, and often overlooked our digital sovereignty. But times are changing. India is now ready to take its place as a leader on the global tech stage,” he added. 

Notably, the company has announced a special offer of three years of free access to its service for all startups and SMBs building on the ONDC platform.

"ONDC welcomes Ola's initiative to offer Ola Maps free for three years to startups and SMBs registered with ONDC Network. This move will significantly boost innovation among our network participants. It's inspiring to see homegrown tech leaders supporting India's digital transformation. This partnership exemplifies the collaborative spirit driving our tech revolution forward," said T Koshy, MD and CEO of ONDC.

Similarly, at Google I/O Connect, the tech giant said that Google Maps is partnering with ONDC to offer developers up to 90% discounts on key APIs for ecommerce and related applications on a limited-time basis.

“Starting August 1, you can expect to pay up to 70% less on Google Maps Platform API. On top of it, we are also launching a special programme with ONDC. If you are building for the ONDC, you might be eligible for 90% on select map APIs,” said Ambrish Kenghe, Vice President of Google. 

To which, Aggarwal responded on X, indicating major updates for Ola Maps. 

He stated that the company has garnered interest from over 10,000 developers, who have signed up on Ola Maps APIs to build their solutions. 

“Switching to Ola Maps from Google Maps has been a game-changer for us. Ola Maps not only matches Google in terms of coverage, especially for small villages in India but also outperforms it in some cases. The autocomplete speed and precision are impressive, and the cost savings have been significant, making it an ideal choice for our growing user base,” said Astro India AI, an AI-powered astrology platform, an early customer of Ola Maps. 

The company plans to launch several new APIs, including Routes APIs, which will offer traffic-aware directions and multi-modal transportation options. The Places APIs will provide powerful search capabilities and detailed place information, and Maps APIs will support static images and interactive map interfaces for easy integration into applications.

Some of the new platform features include Map Style Editor, which allows users to create, edit, and publish custom map styles, along with developer resources such as detailed documentation, tutorials, and a community forum for knowledge exchange.