Google Maps Platform restructured pricing March 1, 2025 — replaced the universal $200/month credit with per-SKU free caps and Essentials/Pro/Enterprise tiers

Claim: Google Maps Platform restructured pricing on March 1, 2025, replacing the universal $200 monthly credit with per-SKU free caps and Essentials / Pro / Enterprise tiers.

Source: https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/march-2025

Confidence: Verified.

Why this matters for Candid: Second major pricing event after the 2018 overhaul (Google Maps July 16, 2018 pricing overhaul — per-1,000 map-call rate from $0.50 to $7; free map calls from 25,000/day to 28,000/month). The pattern — the rent goes up when you depend on it — is the strongest single argument for treating mapping as a portable concern (OSM/Mapbox option preserved). See R4 — Never rent mission-critical data infrastructure when the vendor can reprice unilaterally; keep the path to a free alternative warm.