How to get an API key?

RobertWildling — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:20:19 GMT

Hi!

I am new to ArcGIS, and I am extremely confused by this website and all its online features. I found this website because I am building a small Geo app where I track my bike an hike tours. (I know, the million-th one, but it is just for myself.) When searching for compatible maps for OpenLayers, Google spits out ArcGIS and mentions a generous free tier.

Well, I subscribed... somewhere, don't ask me where, because it seems on subscription is not allowed for all areas of the ArGIS website. But I also find nothing about where to create an API key and even less about free tier.

Rather frustrating to navigate through all those services and pages and not finding anything... And it seems there was a relaunch, at least some AI chats claims that that was the case...

So I dare to ask: Can anyone please be so kind to explain me, the newcomer:
- if there is indeed something like a free tier that allows me to use some nice maps in my OpenLayers app?
- where I can create an API Key?
- Anything else I should know...

Thank you very much!

Re: How to get an API key?

AnitaKemp — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:43:27 GMT

Hello, did you sign up for an ArcGIS Location Platform account? With ArcGIS Location Platform you have a free tier of services available to you: https://location.arcgis.com/pricing/.

If you haven't come across it, we have a developer guide that shows you how to use OpenLayers with ArcGIS services: https://developers.arcgis.com/openlayers/

Within that guide, we have a tutorial that helps you create an API key: https://developers.arcgis.com/openlayers/access-tokens/create-an-api-key/

topic Re: How to get an API key? in ArcGIS REST JS Questions

How to get an API key?

Re: How to get an API key?