xMap vs SafeGraph
SafeGraph is a well-known, data-first provider of places and visitation data. xMap is a broader global foundation: a larger POI base plus footfall, road traffic, parcels, and movement, with plain-language querying. Here is how they compare.
Places specialist, or a broader foundation
Both companies are data-first: they sell clean, structured location data you work with in your own environment. SafeGraph is focused on places and visitation, with a respected US-deep POI dataset, NAICS categories, the Placekey identifier, building-footprint geometry, and visitation patterns. xMap spans a wider footprint: more than 300 million POIs across 233 countries in a 36-field, four-level schema, plus footfall, road traffic, 154M+ parcels, and origin-destination movement, all queryable in plain language with Polygon AI.
xMap and SafeGraph, side by side
Comparison based on publicly available information as of 2026. Verify current capabilities and pricing directly with each provider.
Three reasons teams choose xMap
A larger global base
More than 300 million POIs across 233 countries, with tens of millions of places in the biggest markets.
More than places
Road traffic, parcels with ownership, and origin-destination movement sit alongside places, none of which SafeGraph offers.
Ask in plain language
Query any custom area with Polygon AI, in addition to raw export and API.
Choose xMap when
- You want the largest global POI base available
- You need road traffic, parcels, or movement alongside places
- You prefer a hierarchical four-level category taxonomy
- You want to query any area in plain language
- You want one provider across multiple data types
SafeGraph is the better fit when
- You are standardised on the Placekey identifier for joins
- You want NAICS-based categorisation
- You specifically need SafeGraph Patterns or Geometry
- Deep US places coverage is the top priority
- You are already built into the SafeGraph ecosystem
xMap vs SafeGraph, answered
What is the main difference between xMap and SafeGraph?
Both are data-first location providers. SafeGraph specialises in places and visitation data with strong US depth, NAICS categories, and the Placekey identifier. xMap is broader: more than 300 million POIs across 233 countries plus footfall, road traffic, parcels, and movement, queryable in plain language with Polygon AI.
Is xMap a good SafeGraph alternative?
Yes, especially if you want a larger global POI base, a hierarchical category taxonomy, or data types beyond places such as road traffic, parcels, and movement. SafeGraph remains strong for US-deep places, Placekey joins, and visitation patterns.
How much POI data does each have?
xMap holds more than 300 million points of interest across 233 countries. SafeGraph markets around 75 million-plus places with tiered coverage that is deepest in the United States.
Does xMap offer visitation or foot traffic like SafeGraph Patterns?
Yes. xMap provides footfall showing how many people are present in an area by hour, and it adds road traffic and origin-destination movement, which are outside SafeGraph's places and patterns scope.
Does xMap use Placekey and NAICS?
xMap uses its own four-level category taxonomy and POI identifiers, with standardised address components. If you are standardised on Placekey or NAICS, that is an area where SafeGraph fits your existing setup more directly.
Which should I choose?
Choose SafeGraph for US-deep places and visitation joined on Placekey. Choose xMap for a larger global base and multiple data types in one foundation. Many teams use xMap as the broader data layer.
Compare xMap against your current data
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