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Google Maps vs Leaflet: What are the differences?
Introduction
In this Markdown code, we will present the key differences between Google Maps and Leaflet.
Data Source: Google Maps primarily uses its own data source, providing accurate and up-to-date mapping information. On the other hand, Leaflet does not provide its own data source and requires integration with third-party mapping providers or custom data sources.
Pricing Model: Google Maps offers a pricing model based on usage, where beyond a certain limit, charges are applied for access to the mapping services. In contrast, Leaflet being an open-source library, does not have any costs associated with using its core functionalities.
API Limitations: Google Maps restricts the number of requests per day based on the pricing plan chosen. However, Leaflet does not have any built-in limitations on the number of requests, allowing developers more flexibility in terms of usage and scale.
Customizability: While both Google Maps and Leaflet can be customized to a certain extent, Leaflet provides more flexibility in terms of visual customization. Developers can easily modify the styling, add custom markers, and create personalized map designs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Integration with Other Libraries: Leaflet can be easily integrated with other JavaScript libraries, such as React or Angular, allowing developers to combine various functionalities effectively. In contrast, Google Maps has its JavaScript library and ecosystem, requiring developers to work within its framework.
Offline Usage: Leaflet provides better support for offline usage by allowing developers to pre-cache and utilize map tiles locally. This is beneficial in scenarios where internet connectivity is limited or unreliable. Google Maps, however, heavily relies on an active internet connection for loading map data and functionalities.
In Summary, Google Maps and Leaflet have key differences in terms of data source, pricing model, API limitations, customizability, integration with other libraries, and offline usage capabilities.
We need some advice about the map services provider. We are a mobility app that just launched 5 months ago in Tunisia offering P2P carpooling. We are currently using Google Maps API for maps (Places API, Geocoding API, Directions API & Distance Matrix API). Thus, we received expensive bills from Google Cloud following the number of requests we are using. We are looking forward to reduce the number of requests in general because we can't afford these large bills at this stage, knowing that they are going to increase proportionally to the active users of the app. We tried to optimize multiple times but it isn't enough. We are searching for optimization advice or ideas on how we use the APIs, or other map providers (like OpenStreetMap or similar) that offers free or cheaper options than Google Maps, without lacking quality of information (we are in Tunisia and we have to choose options that have enough data about Tunisia). Thanks!
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Besides OSM and Valhalla, you can also look into a combination of Google ORTools and OSRM. I personally haven't used Valhalla but OSM and ORTools is a powerful combination that can solve for use cases beyond routing, distance, and duration.
I would like to input a spreadsheet with names and associated addresses into a map program to; pinpoint all of the locations on a map. How can I do that? On which map? Are there field size limitations? All help would be appreciated.
There is a subdivision that is about one(1) mile by 3/4 mile in size. Is there a map program that would create the most efficient way to drive all of the streets in the subdivision without a lot of doubling back?
You could use a low-code platform to read the spreadsheet and use them as input for the pin pointing. The most expert provider would HERE or TomTom for the best routing algoritmes. Input parameters would be dependent on the chosen provider.
I see your stack is mostly Google and I am not familiar with that. But we have implemented this through the M365 Teams/SharePoint, Excell, MS PowerPlatform, our WMS and Azure.
From a StackShare Community member: "We're a team of two starting to write a mobile app. The app will heavily rely on maps and this is where my partner and I are not seeing eye-to-eye. I would like to go with an open source solution like OpenStreetMap that is used by Apple & Foursquare. He would like to go with Google Maps since more apps use it and has better support (according to him). Mapbox is also an option but I don’t know much about it."
I use Mapbox because We need 3D maps and navigation, it has a great plugin for React and React Native which we use. Also the Mapbox Geocoder is great.
I use OpenStreetMap because that has a strong community. It takes some time to catch up with Google Maps, but OpenStreetMap will become great solution.
Google Maps is best because it is practically free (they give you $300 in free credits per month and it's really hard to go over the free tier unless you really mean business) and it's the best!
I use Google Maps because it has a lot of great features such as Google's rich APIs, geolocation functions, navigation search feature, street map view, auto-generated 3D city map.
I use OpenStreetMap because i have the control of the environment, using Docker containers or bare-metal servers.
Pros of Google Maps
- Free253
- Address input through maps api136
- Sharable Directions82
- Google Earth47
- Unique46
- Custom maps designing3
Pros of Leaflet
- Light weight34
- Free29
- Evolutive via plugins12
- OpenStreetMap11
- Strong community10
- Choice of map providers7
- Easy API6
- Alternative to Google Maps3
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Cons of Google Maps
- Google Attributions and logo5
- Only map allowed alongside google place autocomplete2
Cons of Leaflet
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