How does PlacesData API compare to Geocodio (geocod.io / geocode.io) and Google Geocoding API?

Developers searching for "geocode.io" or migrating off Geocodio (geocod.io) often need international coverage or canonical Google Place IDs (ChIJ...). While Geocodio ($0.50/1K) only covers US and Canada street interpolation without Place IDs or business data, and Official Google Geocoding charges $5.00/1K while restricting database storage, PlacesData API resolves addresses and coordinates across all 195 countries for 5 Credits per lookup ($0.20–$0.50 per 1,000 lookups) with permanent PostgreSQL/CRM storage allowed.

How do I run high-throughput batch geocoding without CSV upload queues?

Instead of uploading static CSV files and polling async jobs, stream concurrent HTTP GET requests directly to /v1/places/search (forward) or /v1/geocode/reverse (reverse). Free Sandbox keys support 60 RPM / 5 RPS out of the box, scaling up to 3,000 RPM on the Business plan ($499/mo).

Are failed or empty address lookups charged Credits?

Never. Zero-result queries, malformed addresses, and 4xx/5xx responses always cost 0 Credits.

Which endpoint should I use for checkout address typeahead vs backend coordinate geocoding?

Use GET /v1/places/autocomplete (5 Credits / call) for interactive frontend search bars where users type partial street strings, and GET /v1/places/search?q= &limit=1 (5 Credits / record) or GET /v1/geocode/reverse (5 Credits / call) for server-side coordinate, postal code, and ChIJ... Place ID resolution.

Forward & Reverse Geocoding API

195 COUNTRIES5 Credits / Lookup($0.20–$0.50 / 1,000 geocodes · $1 = 10,000 Credits)

Convert street addresses, postal codes, and commercial landmarks into verified latitude / longitude coordinates and canonical Google place_id (ChIJ...) identifiers across all 195 countries—or reverse-geocode GPS coordinates back into structured street components. Built as a global, cache-friendly alternative to Geocodio (geocod.io / geocode.io) and the $5.00/1K Official Google Geocoding API.

1. Forward Geocode

GET /v1/places/search — Address or business name → lat/lng, place_id, phone & website.

2. Reverse Geocode

GET /v1/geocode/reverse — GPS lat, lng → formatted street address, postal code & place_id.

3. Address Autocomplete

GET /v1/places/autocomplete — Sub-second typeahead predictions as users type partial addresses.

1. Forward Geocoding (Address → Coordinates & Place ID)

Pass any street address, postal code, intersection, or business name to GET /v1/places/search with limit=1 (or region=us / region=gb country bias). Unlike US/Canada-only tools like Geocodio (geocod.io / geocode.io), every response includes canonical place_id, numeric cid, and commercial POI metadata when matched.

curl -sS "https://api.placesdataapi.com/v1/places/search?q=350+Fifth+Ave+New+York+NY+10118&limit=1" \
  -H "x-api-key: pd_live_your_api_key"

import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://api.placesdataapi.com/v1/places/search",
    headers={"x-api-key": "pd_live_your_api_key"},
    params={"q": "350 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10118", "limit": 1},
    timeout=10,
).json()

place = res["data"][0]
print(place["latitude"], place["longitude"], place["place_id"], place["address"])

const res = await fetch(
  "https://api.placesdataapi.com/v1/places/search?q=350+Fifth+Ave+New+York+NY+10118&limit=1",
  { headers: { "x-api-key": "pd_live_your_api_key" } }
);
const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data[0].latitude, data[0].longitude, data[0].place_id);

{
  "code": 0,
  "status": "ok",
  "data": [
    {
      "place_id": "ChIJaXQRs6lZwokRY6EFpJnhNNE",
      "cid": "15075007204967424355",
      "name": "350 5th Ave",
      "address": "350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118, USA",
      "latitude": 40.7484405,
      "longitude": -73.9856644
    }
  ],
  "meta": {
    "endpoint": "/v1/places/search",
    "count": 1,
    "credits_charged": 5
  }
}

2. Reverse Geocoding (Lat/Lng → Structured Street Address)

Pass WGS84 lat and lng coordinates to GET /v1/geocode/reverse to resolve rooftop street addresses, postal codes, administrative regions, and Google place_id values for 5 Credits per call.

curl -sS "https://api.placesdataapi.com/v1/geocode/reverse?lat=40.7484405&lng=-73.9856644&language=en" \
  -H "x-api-key: pd_live_your_api_key"

import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://api.placesdataapi.com/v1/geocode/reverse",
    headers={"x-api-key": "pd_live_your_api_key"},
    params={"lat": 40.7484405, "lng": -73.9856644, "language": "en"},
    timeout=10,
).json()

print(res["data"]["formatted_address"], res["data"]["place_id"])

const res = await fetch(
  "https://api.placesdataapi.com/v1/geocode/reverse?lat=40.7484405&lng=-73.9856644&language=en",
  { headers: { "x-api-key": "pd_live_your_api_key" } }
);
const { data } = await res.json();
console.log(data.formatted_address, data.place_id, data.address_components);

{
  "code": 0,
  "status": "ok",
  "data": {
    "formatted_address": "350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118, USA",
    "place_id": "ChIJaXQRs6lZwokRY6EFpJnhNNE",
    "latitude": 40.7484405,
    "longitude": -73.9856644,
    "address_components": {
      "street_number": "350",
      "route": "5th Ave",
      "locality": "New York",
      "administrative_area_level_1": "NY",
      "postal_code": "10118",
      "country": "US"
    }
  },
  "meta": {
    "endpoint": "/v1/geocode/reverse",
    "credits_charged": 5
  }
}

3. Parameter Mapping from Geocodio (geocod.io / geocode.io) & Google

Switching from api.geocod.io/v1.7/* or maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json takes less than two minutes. Compare full volume pricing on our Geocodio (geocode.io / geocod.io) Alternative benchmark or test interactive lookups in the Free Place ID & Coordinate Finder.

Operation	Geocodio (geocod.io) / Google	PlacesData API Equivalent
Forward Geocode	GET /v1.7/geocode?q=<addr>	GET /v1/places/search?q=<addr>&limit=1 (5 Credits)
Reverse Geocode	GET /v1.7/reverse?q=<lat,lng>	GET /v1/geocode/reverse?lat=<lat>&lng=<lng> (5 Credits)
Address Typeahead	Not in Geocodio ($2.83/1K on Google)	GET /v1/places/autocomplete?input=<text> (5 Credits)
Country Bias	country=US\|CA only (Geocodio)	region=<iso2> (195 countries supported)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does PlacesData API compare to Geocodio (geocod.io / geocode.io) and Google Geocoding API?: Developers searching for "geocode.io" or migrating off Geocodio (geocod.io) often need international coverage or canonical Google Place IDs (ChIJ...). While Geocodio ($0.50/1K) only covers US and Canada street interpolation without Place IDs or business data, and Official Google Geocoding charges $5.00/1K while restricting database storage, PlacesData API resolves addresses and coordinates across all 195 countries for 5 Credits per lookup ($0.20–$0.50 per 1,000 lookups) with permanent PostgreSQL/CRM storage allowed.
How do I run high-throughput batch geocoding without CSV upload queues?: Instead of uploading static CSV files and polling async jobs, stream concurrent HTTP GET requests directly to /v1/places/search (forward) or /v1/geocode/reverse (reverse). Free Sandbox keys support 60 RPM / 5 RPS out of the box, scaling up to 3,000 RPM on the Business plan ($499/mo).
Are failed or empty address lookups charged Credits?: Never. Zero-result queries, malformed addresses, and 4xx/5xx responses always cost 0 Credits.
Which endpoint should I use for checkout address typeahead vs backend coordinate geocoding?: Use GET /v1/places/autocomplete (5 Credits / call) for interactive frontend search bars where users type partial street strings, and GET /v1/places/search?q=<address>&limit=1 (5 Credits / record) or GET /v1/geocode/reverse (5 Credits / call) for server-side coordinate, postal code, and ChIJ... Place ID resolution.

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