Google Maps cuts prices by 70% for developers after Ola Maps’ free offering

Google has slashed the pricing of Google Maps platform for developers in India by as much as 70% from August 1 as the company has introduced a new country-specific pricing structure.

It also said it will start accepting Google Maps subscription payments in rupees. Currently, it accepts payments only in US dollars.

Google also said that it will give a 90% discount to developers working with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), the state-owned company of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for developing open e-commerce.

The steep slash in its pricing by Google Maps follows Aggarwal’s appeal to Indian startups to use local alternatives such as Ola Maps. The company is giving one-year free access to Ola Maps for all developers.

MapMyIndia is another local alternative to Google Maps. This move by Google Maps is notable as the company has never decreased its prices in India and experts see it a bid to protect its market share and leadership position in India.

Earlier this month, Aggarwal had said that Ola Cabs had completely exited Google Maps and moved to its in-house Ola Maps. As per Aggarwal, this measure is expected to save Rs 100 crore a year for Ola.

“Dear @Google, too little too late! Reducing prices for  @googlemaps, “offering to price in ₹” after #ExitGoogleMaps. Don’t need your fake generosity…” Aggarwal said in response to Google Maps’ new policy.

This is not the first time Aggarwal has been at loggerheads with a global giant. In May, Aggarwal moved the ride-hailing platform's workload from Microsoft’s cloud platform Azure to his own 'Krutrim'.