Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

Mapbox VS OpenStreetMap

Compare Mapbox VS OpenStreetMap and see what are their differences

ASocks
Clear, Fast & Unlimited. Residential & Mobile Proxies For Best Price. featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Mapbox logo Mapbox

An open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.

OpenStreetMap logo OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.
  • Mapbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-06
  • OpenStreetMap Cover Photo
    Cover Photo //
    2024-01-08

Mapbox

Website
mapbox.com
Pricing URL
Official Mapbox Pricing
$ Details
freemium
Release Date
2010 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
District of Columbia
City
Washington D.C.
Founder(s)
Bonnie Bogle
Employees
500 - 999
Edit details

OpenStreetMap

Website
openstreetmap.org
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-
Edit details

Mapbox features and specs

  • Customization
    Mapbox offers extensive customization options, allowing developers to create highly tailored map experiences, including custom styles and data visualizations.
  • User Experience
    Mapbox provides high-performance, interactive maps, ensuring a smooth and engaging user experience with quick response times and fluid animations.
  • Data Integration
    Mapbox supports integration with various data sources, enabling real-time updates and complex data overlays, which are beneficial for applications requiring dynamic data visualization.
  • Developer Tools
    Mapbox offers comprehensive developer tools, documentation, and SDKs for multiple platforms (web, iOS, Android), facilitating ease of development and deployment.
  • Community and Support
    Mapbox has a vibrant community and strong support system, including forums, tutorials, and direct support options, which help developers troubleshoot and innovate more effectively.

Possible disadvantages of Mapbox

  • Cost
    Mapbox can become expensive as usage scales, potentially increasing costs significantly for high-traffic applications or those requiring advanced features.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive customization features and capabilities, Mapbox may have a steeper learning curve for new developers compared to simpler mapping solutions.
  • Data Privacy
    There are concerns regarding data privacy and storage, as using external APIs may involve sharing user data with third-party services, which may not align with all privacy policies.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Service
    Relying on an external service like Mapbox for critical application functionality can pose risks related to service outages, changes in service terms, or API updates that require code modifications.
  • Offline Capabilities
    Although Mapbox provides some offline capabilities, these are limited compared to online functionalities, which may affect apps that require reliable offline access.

OpenStreetMap features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenStreetMap (OSM) is an open-source project, allowing free access to map data and the ability to contribute and modify the maps. This encourages widespread collaboration and innovation.
  • Up-to-date Information
    Due to its large community of contributors, OSM often has up-to-date and detailed information, especially in urban areas. Users can quickly add new roads, businesses, and other updates.
  • Customization
    Users have the flexibility to customize maps for specific needs, such as creating specialized maps for hiking, cycling, or public transportation.
  • Global Coverage
    OSM offers extensive global coverage, which can be especially useful in regions where commercial map services might be limited or outdated.
  • Ethical and Transparent
    Being community-driven and open, OSM provides a more ethical choice compared to commercial alternatives that may have hidden data collection practices.

Possible disadvantages of OpenStreetMap

  • Data Quality Variability
    The quality and detail of the data can vary significantly between different regions depending on the number and expertise of local contributors.
  • Learning Curve
    For new users, especially those unfamiliar with GIS (Geographic Information System) concepts, there can be a learning curve to effectively use and contribute to OSM.
  • Lack of Professional Support
    Unlike commercial map services, OSM does not offer professional customer support, which can be a disadvantage for businesses requiring reliable assistance.
  • Potential for Inaccuracies
    As a crowd-sourced project, there is a potential for inaccuracies or vandalism, which might not be immediately corrected.
  • Performance
    Some users may experience slower performance when loading large datasets or using complex features, due to reliance on third-party servers and tools.

Mapbox videos

+ Add

MAP Mapbox Review

More videos:

  • Demo - Mapbox Review with AR DEMO
  • Review - Code Review: OpenXC and MapBox

OpenStreetMap videos

+ Add

OpenStreetMap: The map that saves lives | CNBC International

More videos:

  • Review - Switching away from Google Maps : Here Maps, Bing Maps, OpenStreetMap...
  • Review - OpenStreetMap Download / Installation On Garmin Edge 520 GPS Device. Bike Computer

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Mapbox and OpenStreetMap)

Mapbox

OpenStreetMap

Maps
55 55%
Maps
45% 45
Web Mapping
56 56%
Web Mapping
44% 44
Mapping And GIS
100 100%
Mapping And GIS
0% 0
Travel & Location
31 31%
Travel & Location
69% 69

User comments

Share your experience with using Mapbox and OpenStreetMap. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Mapbox and OpenStreetMap

Mapbox Reviews

6 Best GIS Software 2024
While Mapbox boasts an array of impressive features, it's essential to note that some functionalities are exclusive to the paid versions. Furthermore, the software primarily targets programmers who develop customized solutions. Programmatically harnessing Mapbox might pose a steep learning curve while engaging third parties for development work could incur extra costs....
Source: www.caliper.com
7 Alternatives to Google Maps for Navigation
One major advantage of Mapbox is the ability to make personalized maps with markers, routes, and buildings. Mapbox has many other advantages, such as access to good satellite images worldwide and advanced geocoding abilities.
Source: gisgeography.com
5 Best Tools For Creating Your Own Interactive Maps
Mapbox is particularly constructed to optimize custom maps for portable devices. The tool gives you a strong free tier for almost all of its features even if you didn’t opt for a paid service. If you’re planning to develop an app or want to build a more suitable mobile site, Mapbox guarantees that your map is ready for phone users. Mapbox utilises the location feature on...
Source: www.techiexpert.com
The Best Map Makers For 2022
One important thing to know: Mapbox Studio is the only map maker in this article that does not use Google Maps. Instead Mapbox uses Open Street Maps, a free, open-source wiki map of the world. Because of this you might notice different results when you search for an address on Google Maps and on Mapbox— they use a completely different data set.
Source: www.sitebuilderreport.com
5 Best Web Mapping Platforms – The Battle of Web GIS
MBTiles is the backbone for storing tilesets. Mapbox has a ton of customization features for personalized maps. But if you fully want to experience Mapbox, it’s all about the APIs. By using APIs, you can programmatically access Mapbox tools and services. Finally, Mapbox Studio is how to convert your data to tilesets and create styles. This is where Mapbox really knocks it...
Source: gisgeography.com

OpenStreetMap Reviews

7 Alternatives to Google Maps for Navigation
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a free, open-source, community-driven mapping and navigation app. OSM was created in 2005. It has grown to include a global mapping community with activists and thousands of volunteers.
Source: gisgeography.com
18 Top Google Places API Alternatives for Points of Interest Data in 2022
OpenStreetMap offers a free, open-source map of the world with which you can access information about businesses, transport and points of interest. Planet OSM is a feature of OpenStreetMap that lets you extract millions of points of interest for free.
Source: traveltime.com
Top 15 Google Maps Alternatives (2024 Edition)
Maps.me is an open-source mobile-only service and an excellent alternative to Google Maps. It uses the OpenStreetMap database and helps you download maps to use them offline. Therefore, you can save a lot on your mobile data if you use this service.
Source: blog.route4me.com
9 Google Maps Alternatives to Use in 2022
OpenStreetMap is a simple web mapping tool stuffed with all the features you would expect with any web mapping service. The vivid maps explain different layers, help in accurate route planning, and provide cycling and walking routes.
Source: geekflare.com
Top 5 Open-Source Google Maps Alternatives in 2022
Last but not least, Qwant Map is one of those Google Maps alternatives that is open source and free. Just like Google Maps, this interactive maps software offers rich search capabilities. In addition, you can search for places such as restaurants, hotels, markets, and more. Moreover, it lets you search for nearby places by tracking your location. Qwant Map is based on...
Source: blog.containerize.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenStreetMap seems to be a lot more popular than Mapbox. While we know about 129 links to OpenStreetMap, we've tracked only 12 mentions of Mapbox. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Mapbox mentions (12)

  • Ask HN: Side project of more that $2k monthly revenue what's your project?
    Yeah domain knowledge/network is definitely needed, I am working with a friend who has that, it's a must in this field because it's almost set in the stone age. Google maps was crazy expensive I went with Mapbox[1] for now which seems to have enough features and is less expensive. [1] https://mapbox.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • "Next Valley" My single-screen Windows theme
    ​ |Developer Notes| |:-| |Optional Power Shortcuts - Provides shortcuts to deeper links. Example: I wanted a one-touch button that opens the Developer Options menu. This app does this. Not required for core functionality of the theme.| |Allows 4 custom wallpapers, either local files or web links. Includes 2 add'l wallpapers pulled from Bing Daily and r/earthporn.| |The location and weather panel has a live map... Source: over 2 years ago
  • NEXT VALLEY - A single-screen Windows theme for KLWP [Sharing the whole damn thing]
    The location and weather panel has a live map displayed. Well, it won't for you, unless you grab a free API key from mapbox.com and paste it in the 1st global. Source: over 2 years ago
  • QGIS in PowerBI
    If you want to show polygons it is a bit more difficult. With the above map functions you can create a Choropleth map by using predefined regions (like countries, states etc.). But for custom polygons it won't work. You can either use ArcGIS Online in combination with the ArcGIS Maps for Power BI viz or use the Mapbox Visual function (you need to install this one first by pressing "Get more visuals"). You can... Source: over 2 years ago
  • How is this map made?
    They are using mapbox.com service and their API to build this map. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

OpenStreetMap mentions (129)

  • Waterway Map
    You can go to https://openstreetmap.org/ , zoom in and enable the map data layer. From there history is accessible. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Bike rack capacity
    Hi! I am working on a project mapping bike racks around my city on OpenStreetMap. One of the attributes that I tag is the rack's capacity, but I haven't come to a conclusion about the capacity of these wave-shaped racks:. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Get full name of a admin unit in a admin unit hierarchy like Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, United States of America
    I need the bounding boxes of all adminstrative units in a specific region from the largest (e.g. The state) to the smallest (whatever this is called) including the full name of the district. What I mean by that is what is displayed on openstreetmap.org when I search for e.g. Brooklyn: it will be displayed in the search results as "Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, United States of America" – the names joined from... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Protomaps – A free and open source map of the world
    It's OpenStreetMap (ODbL) and Natural Earth (public domain) currently * http://openstreetmap.org * http://naturalearthdata.com. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Coffee Decor Pikmin
    Pikmin Bloom sources Decor locations from OpenStreetMap, it’s not always 100%, but it’s close enough. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Mapbox and OpenStreetMap, you can also consider the following products

Google Maps - Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

OSGeo - QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.

OsmAnd - Global mobile map viewing and navigation for online and offline OSM maps

ArcGIS - ArcGIS software is a data analysis, cloud-based mapping platform that allows users to customize maps and see real-time data ranging from logistics support to overall mapping analysis.

Apple Maps - Maps features an all-new design with smart features to make finding and getting to your destination easier than ever.

Google Earth Pro - Google Earth Pro allows you fly anywhere around the earth to view satellite imagery, maps, 3D building, and terrain, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean.

Loading...