MapTools
kepler.gl
vs
Protomaps

kepler.gl: Drag-and-drop geospatial data visualization in the browser. Protomaps: Self-host an entire world basemap as a single PMTiles file.

kepler.glProtomaps
CategoryGeospatial Data VisualizationBasemaps & Map Tiles
Pricing modelOpen sourceOpen source
Starts atFreeFree
Free tier——
Open sourceYesYes
Software licenceMITBSD-3-Clause (code); ODbL (OSM data)
API——
PlatformsWeb, JavaScript, PythonWeb, JavaScript, Command line
Made by——
Commercial useAllowedAllowed
Export / print imagesWith conditionsAllowed
Offline / cachingCheck termsAllowed
Visits from MapTools59
Visit Visit

kepler.gl features

  • Drag-and-drop CSV and GeoJSON
  • Hexbin, arc, heatmap and trip layers
  • Time playback and filters
  • Export as image or HTML
  • Jupyter widget
kepler.gl alternatives

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 alternatives

Summary based on public information. Check each provider's current pricing and terms.