Mapbox GL JS: Mapbox's WebGL library for vector maps and 3D. Observable: Data notebooks and dashboards with D3 and Plot maps.
| Mapbox GL JS | Observable | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Map Libraries & SDKs | Geospatial Data Visualization |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starts at | See website | See website |
| Free tier | Billed through Mapbox map loads | Free for public notebooks |
| Open source | No | No |
| Software licence | Proprietary (v2+) | — |
| API | — | — |
| Platforms | JavaScript | Web, JavaScript |
| Made by | Mapbox | — |
| Commercial use | Allowed | Check terms |
| Export / print images | With conditions | Check terms |
| Offline / caching | Check terms | Check terms |
| Visits from MapTools | 2 | 2 |
| Visit | Visit |
Mapbox GL JS features
- Vector maps and globe view
- 3D terrain and buildings
- Custom layers
- Tight integration with Mapbox Studio
Version 2 and later require a Mapbox account and are billed per map load.
Mapbox GL JS alternativesObservable features
- Reactive notebooks
- Observable Plot geo marks
- D3 projections
- Data apps framework
Summary based on public information. Check each provider's current pricing and terms.