MapLibre GL JS: Open-source vector map rendering for the web and mobile. Protomaps: Self-host an entire world basemap as a single PMTiles file.
| MapLibre GL JS | Protomaps | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Map Libraries & SDKs | Basemaps & Map Tiles |
| Pricing model | Open source | Open source |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Software licence | BSD-3-Clause | BSD-3-Clause (code); ODbL (OSM data) |
| API | — | — |
| Platforms | JavaScript, iOS, Android | Web, JavaScript, Command line |
| Made by | — | — |
| Commercial use | Allowed | Allowed |
| Export / print images | Allowed | Allowed |
| Offline / caching | Allowed | Allowed |
| Visits from MapTools | 6 | 9 |
| Visit | Visit |
MapLibre GL JS features
- WebGL vector tile rendering
- Style spec compatible with Mapbox styles
- 3D terrain and extrusions
- Native iOS and Android SDKs
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.