Out of ArcGIS credits? Don't despair. Here's what to do when you can't buy more.

Quick Answer: If you've run out of ArcGIS credits and can't purchase more due to budget or procurement constraints, you have three immediate options: the US Census Bureau Geocoder (free for US addresses), Geocodio (2,500 free daily lookups for US/Canadian addresses, or $0.50 per 1,000 for larger projects), or Google Maps Geocoding API (global coverage, higher cost, prohibited from storing results or using with a non-Google map). Many people with US and Canada geocoding needs, choose Geocodio for its balance of affordability, accuracy, features, and immediate access.

Why You Can't Just Buy More ArcGIS Credits

You're probably here because:

• Your university gives you limited credits and getting more requires faculty approval

• Your department's budget is spent until next quarter

• Procurement requires weeks of paperwork for a simple credit purchase

• Your grant budget is fixed and you can't add expenses

• You're waiting on IT or administration to approve the purchase

We get it. The bureaucracy is often harder than the actual project. We're here to help—and help you get on with your work.

Table of Contents

• Free Geocoding Options

• Affordable Paid Options

• Which Alternative Should I Use?

• How to Switch from ArcGIS

• Common Questions

Free Geocoding Options (No Credit Card Required)

US Census Bureau Geocoder

What it is: Free government geocoding service for US addresses at geocoding.geo.census.gov.

Best for:

• US addresses only

• Basic geocoding needs

• Tight budgets

• Immediate access

Limitations:

• No data enrichment (ZIP+4, census tracts, etc.)

• Slower batch processing

• Less accurate than commercial options

Recommendation: Choose this if you need free US geocoding right now, coordinates are all you need, and free is more important than accuracy. (The Census geocoder can't give you rooftop-level results, for example.)

Geocodio Free Tier

When you're stuck without ArcGIS credits, the last thing you need is another service asking for payment information. These free options let you start geocoding immediately—no credit card, no billing account setup, no waiting for approval.

Both options work well for different situations. The Census Bureau geocoder is ideal for basic US address geocoding with no features needed. Geocodio's free tier gives you more flexibility with faster processing, data enrichment options, and support for Canadian addresses. Choose based on what your project needs right now.

What it is: 2,500 free geocoding lookups per day for US and Canadian addresses.

Best for:

• US and Canadian addresses

• Daily projects under 2,500 addresses

• Data enrichment needs (ZIP+4, census data such as Census tracts and demographics, timezones, legislative districts)

• Fast batch processing

Limitations:

• 2,500 lookup daily limit on free tier

• North America only

Recommendation: Choose this if you need more features and accuracy than the Census geocoder or you're working with Canadian addresses.

Try Geocodio free - No credit card required.

Affordable Paid Options (No Subscription Required!)

Many commercial geocoding services require monthly subscriptions starting at $50-$100 per month, even if you only need to geocode a few thousand addresses once. This creates yet another barrier when you're already stuck.

The options below use pay-as-you-go pricing, so you only pay for what you use. No monthly commitments, no minimum spending requirements, and no recurring charges to justify to your boss or accounting department.

Geocodio Pay-As-You-Go

Pricing:

• $0.50 per 1,000 lookups

• Volume discounts available

• Example: 10,000 addresses = $5

• Example: 100,000 addresses = $35 with volume discount

Why it works when ArcGIS doesn't:

• Individual users can sign up and pay directly

• No procurement process needed

• Affordable enough to expense or pay personally

• Credits never expire

• 5% academic/student discount (email us from your official email to get it added to your account)

Recommendation: Choose this when you need to geocode more than 2,500 addresses and want affordable pricing you can access immediately.

Google Maps Geocoding API

Pricing:

• $5 per 1,000 requests after $300 trial credit

• Requires Google Cloud account and credit card

Best for:

• Global address coverage

• Developers building applications

• Projects already using Google Maps

Limitations:

• Requires credit card even to access free tier

• Much more expensive than alternatives

• Requires Google Cloud account setup

• Usage restrictions apply (ex., you can't store the results or use the coordinates on a non-Google map)

• May still need institutional approval

Important note: Even though Google offers $200 in free monthly credits, you must provide a credit card to access any Google Maps Platform services, including the free tier. This requirement can be a barrier if you don't have access to a credit card or need institutional approval to provide payment information.

Recommendation: Choose this only if you need worldwide geocoding or you're building a map-based application and already have access to a credit card.

Which Alternative Should I Use?

How to Switch from ArcGIS to Another Geocoder

Time required: 15-30 minutes

1. Export your addresses from ArcGIS as a CSV file

2. Upload to your chosen geocoding service

3. Download the geocoded results

4. Import back into ArcGIS to continue your analysis

Most services return results in formats ArcGIS can read directly.

How Do I Run Out of ArcGIS Credits?

ArcGIS uses credits for different operations:

• Standard geocoding: 4 credits per 1,000 addresses

• Geocoding with storage: 40 credits per 1,000 addresses

Example: A thesis project geocoding 50,000 addresses can use 200-2,000 credits depending on your approach.

Common Questions

Can I get in trouble for using a different geocoder?

No. Most organizations understand that deadlines matter. Document your situation (credits exhausted, deadline approaching, institutional barriers) and you're usually fine. Many users end up helping their organizations discover more cost-effective geocoding options this way.

Can I pay for it myself and expense it?

This depends on your organization's policies. Geocodio's pricing is low enough ($0.50 for 1,000 addresses) that some users pay personally to meet deadlines. Check your expense policies first.

Why does Google require a credit card for free credits?

Google requires a credit card for identity verification and to automatically charge overages if you exceed the $300 trial credits. This policy was introduced in 2018 and applies even if you never intend to exceed the free limit.

How long does it take to get more ArcGIS credits approved?

Approval times vary widely:

• Universities: Days to weeks for department approval

• Government agencies: Weeks to months through procurement

• Corporations: Depends on budget cycles and approval chains

• Grant-funded projects: Requires budget amendments and additional approvals

Your deadline probably won't wait that long.

What if my results are different from ArcGIS?

Geocoding services use different data sources, so results vary slightly. For standard addresses, differences are minimal. Test with a sample of your data first to verify accuracy meets your needs.

Which service is most accurate?

Geocoding is not an exact science, so you can't expect 100% rooftop accuracy from any geocoding provider. Google is generally the most accurate, but there are addresses that Google misses that other providers, like Geocodio, are able to accurately place. Geocodio uses USPS data along with over 2,000 additional sources for comprehensive coverage. The Census Bureau geocoder uses the TIGER/Line dataset, which only provides accuracy at the range interpolated level at best (i.e. a point in the center of the street in front of the parcel). Accuracy varies by address type. Test with your specific dataset to compare results.

Do I need technical skills to use these alternatives?

No. Both the Census Bureau geocoder and Geocodio offer simple web interfaces where you upload a spreadsheet and download results. No coding or API knowledge required for basic batch geocoding. Google Maps API requires programming knowledge.

Conclusion

Running out of ArcGIS credits doesn't have to stop your project. Free and affordable alternatives, like Geocodio, Google Maps, and the Census Bureau geocoder can get you working again today, without waiting for approvals or fighting procurement processes.

Our recommendation: For most US and Canadian geocoding projects, Geocodio offers the fastest path forward—either free for smaller datasets or affordable enough to access directly for larger ones. And unlike Google, you're allowed to store the data and use it however you need to.

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Sources:

• US Census Bureau Geocoder

• USPS Address Standards

• Google Maps Geocoding API Documentation

• Esri ArcGIS Credits Overview