Guide

Free map animation video maker: what is free and what is not

People searching for a free map animation video maker usually want one of two things: to try the tool without paying, or to get a finished video without paying. These are different, so here is exactly where the line is.

5 min read · Updated October 8, 2026

Free in Mapflyover

A free account lets you do the creative work without paying anything.

  • ›Up to three projects.
  • ›Real place outlines, the camera, titles, stickers, lines and captions.
  • ›A live preview of the whole video in the editor.
  • ›Narration and caption timing through your own free Gemini and Groq keys.
  • ›Connecting Claude or ChatGPT so an AI builds the video for you.

What needs a paid plan

Exporting the finished MP4 is part of the Pro and Studio plans. Pro exports up to 1080p, and Studio up to 4K and longer videos. The rendering happens in your browser, so there is no render queue.

Exporting also needs your own Mapbox public token, which is free to create, because exported frames use Mapbox imagery.

Getting the free keys

The Gemini key comes from Google AI Studio and the Groq key from the Groq console. Both have free tiers that cover ordinary use. Paste them into the setup guide on your dashboard. They are stored encrypted and used only for your own videos.

Is it worth paying for?

Try the free plan first and build a video you like. If it is good enough to publish, upgrade for the export. If you only need to experiment, the free plan lets you do that for as long as you like.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is there a watermark?

Exports from the paid plans have no watermark. The free plan does not export.

Can I export for free?

No. MP4 export is part of the paid plans. Building and previewing are free.

Do I pay for the AI?

Mapflyover does not charge for the AI. The narration and captions use your own free keys.

Keep reading

More guides

Make your first video

Add your keys, connect your AI and ask for the video you want.