Google Maps vs Leaflet

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

Google Maps

40.5K
28K
+ 1
566
Leaflet

1.5K
1.1K
+ 1
107
Add tool

Google Maps vs Leaflet: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this Markdown code, we will present the key differences between Google Maps and Leaflet.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

Advice on Google Maps and Leaflet
Adam Abdelmoula
CPO at Split Mobile Software · | 5 upvotes · 468K views

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!

See more
Replies (1)
Gagan Jakhotiya
Engineering Manager at BigBasket · | 2 upvotes · 1.6K views

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.

See more
  1. 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.

  2. 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?

See more
Replies (1)

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.

See more

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."

See more
Replies (6)
Recommends
on
MapboxMapbox

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.

See more
Blair Gemmer
Software Engineer at VYNYL · | 2 upvotes · 160.2K views
Recommends
on
Google MapsGoogle Maps

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!

See more
Recommends
on
OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap

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.

See more
Shuuji TAKAHASHI
Recommends
on
Google MapsGoogle Maps

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.

See more
Recommends
on
OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap

Its open source and we use it.

See more
Fabio Fraga Machado
Recommends
on
OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap

I use OpenStreetMap because i have the control of the environment, using Docker containers or bare-metal servers.

See more
Get Advice from developers at your company using StackShare Enterprise. Sign up for StackShare Enterprise.
Learn More
Pros of Google Maps
Pros of Leaflet
  • 253
    Free
  • 136
    Address input through maps api
  • 81
    Sharable Directions
  • 47
    Google Earth
  • 46
    Unique
  • 3
    Custom maps designing
  • 32
    Light weight
  • 28
    Free
  • 12
    Evolutive via plugins
  • 10
    OpenStreetMap
  • 9
    Strong community
  • 7
    Choice of map providers
  • 6
    Easy API
  • 3
    Alternative to Google Maps

Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

Cons of Google Maps
Cons of Leaflet
  • 4
    Google Attributions and logo
  • 1
    Only map allowed alongside google place autocomplete
    Be the first to leave a con

    Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

    - No public GitHub repository available -

    What is Google Maps?

    Create rich applications and stunning visualisations of your data, leveraging the comprehensiveness, accuracy, and usability of Google Maps and a modern web platform that scales as you grow.

    What is Leaflet?

    Leaflet is an open source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps. It is developed by Vladimir Agafonkin of MapBox with a team of dedicated contributors. Weighing just about 30 KB of gzipped JS code, it has all the features most developers ever need for online maps.

    Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

    What companies use Google Maps?
    What companies use Leaflet?
    See which teams inside your own company are using Google Maps or Leaflet.
    Sign up for StackShare EnterpriseLearn More

    Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions

    What tools integrate with Google Maps?
    What tools integrate with Leaflet?

    Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions

    Blog Posts

    JavaScriptGitHubNode.js+26
    20
    4938
    What are some alternatives to Google Maps and Leaflet?
    Mapbox
    We make it possible to pin travel spots on Pinterest, find restaurants on Foursquare, and visualize data on GitHub.
    OpenStreetMap
    OpenStreetMap is built by a community of mappers that contribute and maintain data about roads, trails, cafés, railway stations, and much more, all over the world.
    TomTom
    It is the leading independent location technology specialist, shaping mobility with highly accurate maps, navigation, real-time traffic info and services.
    OpenLayers
    An opensource javascript library to load, display and render maps from multiple sources on web pages.
    Here Maps
    The Open Location Platform company, enables people, businesses and cities to harness the power of location
    See all alternatives