```json
{
    "title": "API – 01 Pricing EN",
    "url": "https://kardinal.ai/pricing-route-optimization-api/",
    "datePublished": "2026-07-09",
    "dateModified": "2026-10-02",
    "language": "en-GB",
    "description": "Transparent, pay-per-stop pricing for Kardinal's route optimization API. No quote, no sales call. Re-optimizations included, and a free tier to test your case before you pay.",
    "author": "Kardinal",
    "publisher": "Kardinal"
}
```

# API – 01 Pricing EN

# Route Optimization API Pricing — Pay Per Stop, Start Free

> Transparent, pay-per-stop pricing for Kardinal's route optimization API. No quote, no sales call. Re-optimizations included, and a free tier to test your case before you pay.

## Simple, Transparent Pricing. Pay Per Stop.

Start free, no card, no sales call. You only pay for the stops you optimize, re-optimizations included.

[Start building](https://console.kardinal.ai/) · [Read the docs →](https://developers.kardinal.ai/)

## Free to Start

**1,000 stops** to build and test with.

No credit card. Full product, all constraints. One-time, not renewed. When you're ready for more, top up with a pack.

[Start building](https://console.kardinal.ai/)

## Prepaid Packs

Packs are prepaid balance, not subscriptions. Price per stop drops as packs grow — buy what matches your volume, no more.

| Pack size | Price | Price per stop |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000 stops | €99 | €0.050 / stop |
| 10,000 stops | €299 | €0.030 / stop |
| 50,000 stops | €999 | €0.020 / stop |
| 250,000 stops | €2,999 | €0.012 / stop |

Each pack: [Buy pack →](https://console.kardinal.ai)

### Enterprise

Optimizing millions of stops, or need sequencing and appointment scheduling? Talk to our team for volume pricing and managed options.

[Talk to sales →](https://kardinal.ai/contact)

## Size Your Balance — Pack Calculator

Enter your monthly stop volume to size a year of stops. The calculator finds the cheapest combination of packs to cover that volume — mixing pack sizes when that beats buying one size repeatedly. Packs never expire, and any surplus carries over.

| Monthly volume | Annual volume | Cheapest combination | Cost / year | Cost / month | Price per stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 stops | 60,000 stops | 1× 50,000-stop pack + 1× 10,000-stop pack | €1,298 | €108.17 | €0.0216 |
| 25,000 stops | 300,000 stops | 1× 250,000-stop pack + 1× 50,000-stop pack | €3,998 | €333.17 | €0.0133 |
| 100,000 stops | 1,200,000 stops | 5× 250,000-stop pack | €14,995 | €1,249.58 | €0.0125 |
| 250,000 stops | 3,000,000 stops | 12× 250,000-stop pack | €35,988 | €2,999.00 | €0.0120 |

[Try the live calculator →](https://kardinal.ai/pricing-route-optimization-api/)

## Why It's Built This Way

**Re-optimize · Free**
Re-optimizations are free. You pay per stop, not per API call.

**No Expiration**
Your stops stay valid as long as your account is active.

**No Surprise Cut-Off**
Alerts before you run low, optional auto top-up.

**No Tiers, No Lock-In**
One account, full product, top up when you need volume.

## Pricing FAQ

**What counts as a stop?**
A unique location optimized within a plan. Re-optimizing the same stop within the same plan, within a 24-hour window, is not charged again.

**Do my stops expire?**
No, as long as your account stays active.

**What happens when I run low?**
You get an alert at 80% usage, and by default your last pack renews at 90%, before you run out. Auto top-up can be turned off and managed manually.

**Is this really per stop, not per vehicle?**
Yes, pricing is based on the stops you optimize, not on the number of vehicles or API requests.

**What about very large volumes or other use cases?**
For millions of stops, or for sequencing and appointment scheduling needs, Kardinal offers volume pricing and managed options via its sales team.