A Google Maps embed is free and fine for one address. Here is where a store locator starts.
The Maps Embed API shows a place, a route or a Google search on a map on your site, at no charge. On Instaform, people search your own list of locations, and every location can offer several of your own forms, like Order and Book a table, right on the map.
At a glance
- The Maps Embed API is free, with unlimited requests and no rate or daily limits.
- It needs an API key from a Google Cloud project, and the project needs a billing account.
- A place map shows one pin, and no mode takes your own list of locations.
- Instaform lists every location, with search, opening hours and buttons of its own.
Join the waitlist and become a Founding Member
Be first in when we open. Founding Members get a $50 credit, a permanent badge, and priority onboarding.
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Instaform | Google Maps embed |
|---|---|---|
| Search by address, near me, radius | ✓ | Google's own search results, not your list Search mode shows results for a search across the visible map region |
| Opening hours and Open now | ✓ | Not published |
| Filters | ✓ | ✗ No mode takes your own list of locations, so there is nothing of yours to filter |
| Directions | ✓ | ✓ Directions mode shows a route between places you set in the code, with up to 20 waypoints |
| Its own shareable page for the map | ✓ | Partly Google Maps can share a link to one place or to the map view; it cannot share your saved locations |
| Several action buttons per location | ✓ | ✗ A place map shows one pin, and no mode takes a list of your own locations |
| Buttons open your own built-in forms (order, book, quote, contact) | ✓ | ✗ Its map modes show a place, a route, Street View or search results; none adds a form |
| A different form per location | ✓ | ✗ No built-in form, and no list of your own locations to set one on |
| Responses saved with the location in a built-in inbox | ✓ | ✗ No built-in form, so no responses are stored |
| A page per location | A button can open any Instaform link page you choose; none is generated | ✗ No mode takes a list of your own locations, so none of them gets a page |
| Map provider | Your own Google or Mapbox account | Google Maps An API key from a Google Cloud project with a billing account; embed requests are not charged |
| Remove the vendor's branding | From Starter | Not published |
| Price of the first paid plan | $19/mo (Starter) | Free, unlimited Unlimited requests at no charge, per its usage and billing page |
| Locations on the first paid plan | 100 | A place map shows one pin |
Pricing side-by-side
Reviewed November 2026
Instaform
$19/mo
- Starter plan
- 100 locations
- No Instaform logo on your map
- Plus your own map account's usage
Google Maps embed
Free, unlimited
- An API key, and a billing account on the Google Cloud project
- No rate or daily limits
- One pin on a place map
Prices in US dollars as published on November 9, 2026. Google does not charge for Maps Embed API requests. On Instaform, the map runs on your own Google or Mapbox account, and the provider prices that usage on your own account.
Which should you choose?
A Google Maps embed for one address. Instaform for a list of locations people can search, with buttons to act on each one.
A Google Maps embed is free: the Maps Embed API has unlimited requests at no charge, with an API key and a billing account on the Google Cloud project, and Google Maps can also give you the HTML for a map to paste into your page. It shows one place, a route with up to 20 waypoints, or Google's own search results. If you have one location and visitors only need to find it, that is enough. With several locations, Instaform lists them all: people search by city or postcode, or near them, and see opening hours with Open now. Every location can offer several of your own forms, like Order and Book a table. Orders and bookings arrive in your inbox with the location they came from.
Choose Instaform if:
- · You have several locations and want people to search them by city or postcode, or near them
- · Each location should show its opening hours, with Open now worked out for the visitor's time
- · Each location should offer your own forms, like Order, Book a table or Get a quote
- · You want orders and bookings in one inbox that shows which location each one came from
Choose Google Maps embed if:
- · You have one location
- · A pin and directions are all you need
- · You want nothing to pay and no account to manage beyond Google Cloud
Frequently asked questions
Google Maps embed is a trademark of its respective owner. Instaform is not affiliated with Google Maps embed.
Ready to build forms that work for you?
Create your first form in minutes. Your submissions will thank you.