De sebsauvage:

Reminder: When Google was dominating the online map services with GoogleMaps, it has been decided to increase the price by 1400%.
This increase is the medium reported by the users.
So no, GoogleMaps is not free if you want to use a map on your website or app: As soon as people start to consult your cards, you have to pay for it. Very quickly.
Google is not your friend. Google is SELLING access to its private maps.