What is Real-Time Foot Traffic Data? Examples, Datasets and Providers

Real-time foot traffic data provides up-to-the-minute information on visitor movements, used for dynamic analysis and response planning. In this page, you’ll find a guide and our top picks for real-time foot traffic data providers.
Datarade Marketplace Logo
Eugenio Caterino
Editor & Data Industry Expert

What is Real-Time Foot Traffic Data?

Real-time foot traffic data provides you with up-to-the-minute insights into how people are moving in and around specific locations. It’s collected anonymously from mobile devices and sensors to show patterns of movement, helping you understand visitor activity and make data-driven decisions.

What Are Examples of Real-Time Foot Traffic Data?

Real-time foot traffic data includes data collected from sensors, mobile devices, and Wi-Fi networks to track the number of people entering and exiting a specific location in real-time. Examples of real-time foot traffic data include:

  • Live Visitor Count: Current number of visitors at a specific location.
  • Entry and Exit Rates: Real-time data on the rate at which people are entering and leaving.
  • Current Dwell Time: Ongoing measurement of how long visitors stay at a location.
  • Peak Congestion Areas: Spots within a location experiencing high visitor density.
  • Visitor Flow Direction: Real-time tracking of visitor movement paths.
  • Queue Lengths: Length of waiting lines in specific areas or service points.
  • Wait Times: Estimated wait times for entry or service at the location.
  • Weather Conditions: Instant weather data that may impact visitor numbers.
  • Device Type and Count: Types and numbers of mobile or IoT devices present.

Best Real-Time Foot Traffic Datasets & APIs

5.0(3)

Real-Time Foot Traffic Data | Aggregated Foot Traffic Data | Location & Mobility Data | Global | 600+ Customers

Available for 183 countries
1.13M H3 Hexbins @ Level 12 (19m)
5 years of historical data
85% 0.85 corr. with Walmart sales data
Available Pricing:
One-off purchase
Monthly License
Yearly License
Free sample preview
5.0(1)
Pricing available upon request
Free sample preview
5% Datarade discount
Pricing available upon request
Free sample preview
10% Datarade discount
5.0(1)

Unacast Foot Traffic Data | Global

Available for 247 countries
50B global signals per day
3 years of historical data
100% deterministic data
Starts at
$1 / API call
Free sample preview
5.0(1)
Starts at
$1,000$900 / month
Free sample preview
10% Datarade discount
Pricing available upon request
5.0(3)

Real-Time Foot-Traffic Data | Location Data | Mobility Data | Mobile Location Data | Global Coverage | 600+ Customers

Available for 241 countries
1.13M H3 Hexbins @ Level 12 (19m)
5 years of historical data
85% 0.85 corr. with Walmart sales data
Available Pricing:
One-off purchase
Monthly License
Yearly License
Free sample preview
5.0(1)
Pricing available upon request
Free sample preview
5% Datarade discount

Sovereign Intelligence | Building Footprint Data | Known Polygon Search

Available for 199 countries
50 Billion signals observed daily
36 months of historical data
100% Deterministic
Starts at
$500 / month
Free sample preview
5.0(3)

The Data Appeal | Global Location Data Insights, Consumer Sentiment Data, Map Data, Sentiment | API, Dataset | 251M POI Data Coverage from 2019

Available for 249 countries
320 Billion Pieces of Online Content Analyzed Each Day
4 years of historical data
80% match rate
Available Pricing:
One-off purchase
Monthly License
Yearly License
Usage-based
Free sample preview

Monetize data on Datarade Marketplace

List your data on our global B2B marketplace to reach 100k monthly buyers

Real-Time Foot Traffic Data Use Cases

How Accurate is Real-Time Foot Traffic Data?

The accuracy of real-time foot traffic data depends on the provider’s technology. For example, some provider offers data at a Hex 12 (19-meter) resolution, which gives a very detailed look at visitor movement. Data accuracy is further validated against benchmarks like museum visits and retail sales figures. If you’re looking for high precision, we recommend choosing a providers that offer verified accuracy.

How Frequently is Real-Time Foot Traffic Data Updated?

Real-time foot traffic data is updated daily, ensuring that you always have the most current insights at your fingertips. For industries such as retail or real estate, daily updates are a must. This gives you the agility to respond to changes as they happen.

How Can Real-Time Foot Traffic Data Be Used?

Real-time foot traffic data can be used in many ways, from optimizing retail locations to understanding consumer behavior trends and improving urban planning. If you’re in retail or real estate, use this data to identify high-traffic areas for new stores or to enhance your marketing strategies based on when and where people are spending the most time.

How is Real-Time Foot Traffic Data Delivered?

Data is typically delivered in formats like .csv and .json, and you can often receive it via API or secure cloud storage. If you’re running frequent analyses or need constant access to the data, we recommend setting up an API feed for real-time data delivery.

How Much Does Real-Time Foot Traffic Data Cost?

The cost for real-time foot traffic data varies depending on factors like the geographic coverage, the volume of data, and how frequently it’s updated. Many providers offer flexible pricing, including options for one-off purchases, monthly, or yearly licenses. Start with a free sample if it’s available on our platform to ensure the data meets your needs. From there, choose a pricing plan that aligns with how often you need updates.

What Geographic Areas Are Covered by Real-Time Foot Traffic Data?

Most providers offer extensive global coverage. For example, some provider covers over 240 countries, including key markets across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Make sure the provider covers the specific areas you’re interested in before committing to a plan.

How is Real-Time Foot Traffic Data Secured?

Providers ensure that all foot traffic data is anonymized and aggregated, meaning that it doesn’t track specific individuals. This data is collected and processed in compliance with strict privacy regulations like GDPR, making it safe to use for analysis without violating privacy laws. Always verify that your provider complies with the necessary privacy regulations, especially if you operate in markets with strict data protection laws.