Azure Maps: Microsoft's mapping and geospatial APIs on Azure. Protomaps: Self-host an entire world basemap as a single PMTiles file.
| Azure Maps | Protomaps | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Basemaps & Map Tiles | Basemaps & Map Tiles |
| Pricing model | Paid | Open source |
| Starts at | See website | Free |
| Free tier | Monthly free transactions | — |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Software licence | — | BSD-3-Clause (code); ODbL (OSM data) |
| API | Yes | — |
| Platforms | Web, API | Web, JavaScript, Command line |
| Made by | Microsoft | — |
| Commercial use | Paid plan | Allowed |
| Export / print images | With conditions | Allowed |
| Offline / caching | Check terms | Allowed |
| Visits from MapTools | 7 | 9 |
| Visit | Visit |
Azure Maps features
- Web and mobile map controls
- Search and geocoding
- Routing and isochrones
- Traffic and weather
Protomaps features
- PMTiles single-file tile archives
- Daily world basemap builds from OpenStreetMap
- Serve from S3, R2 or any static host
- Open basemap styles for MapLibre
When you host the tiles yourself, only the OpenStreetMap attribution and ODbL terms apply.
Protomaps alternativesSummary based on public information. Check each provider's current pricing and terms.