Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Mapbox VS Plus Codes by Google

Compare Mapbox VS Plus Codes by Google and see what are their differences

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.

Plus Codes by Google logo Plus Codes by Google

Street addresses for places that don't have one 🗺️
  • Mapbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-06
  • Plus Codes by Google Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-05

Mapbox

Website
mapbox.com
$ Details
freemium
Release Date
2010 January
Startup details
Country
United States
Founder(s)
Bonnie Bogle
Employees
500 - 999

Plus Codes by Google

Website
plus.codes
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-

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.

Plus Codes by Google features and specs

  • Accessibility
    Plus Codes are accessible to anyone with a smartphone or computer, making it easy to share locations without needing a postal address.
  • Universality
    They work globally and are not dependent on country-specific systems or infrastructure, ensuring a consistent addressing solution anywhere in the world.
  • Offline Functionality
    Plus Codes can be generated and used without an internet connection, which is beneficial in remote areas with limited network access.
  • Integration with Google Maps
    Since they are a Google initiative, Plus Codes are well-integrated into Google Maps, enhancing convenience for users within this ecosystem.
  • Simple Format
    The format of Plus Codes is simple and easy to remember compared to traditional GPS coordinates, facilitating easier communication of locations.

Possible disadvantages of Plus Codes by Google

  • Adoption Challenge
    The widespread adoption of Plus Codes can vary as users and organizations may prefer traditional addressing systems they are accustomed to.
  • Dependence on Digital Platforms
    While offline functionality exists, the use and awareness of Plus Codes heavily rely on digital platforms, which may exclude non-digital users.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Sharing precise locations using Plus Codes can raise privacy issues if users are not careful about who they share their codes with.
  • Integration Limitations
    Outside of Google applications, the integration of Plus Codes may be limited, which can restrict their functionality in other mapping or navigation services.
  • Learning Curve
    For users unfamiliar with digital location codes, learning how to generate and use Plus Codes may require effort and adjustment.

Mapbox videos

MAP Mapbox Review

More videos:

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

Plus Codes by Google videos

No Plus Codes by Google videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Mapbox and Plus Codes by Google)
Maps
92 92%
8% 8
Web Mapping
92 92%
8% 8
Mapping And GIS
92 92%
8% 8
Travel & Location
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

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.
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...
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.
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...

Plus Codes by Google Reviews

We have no reviews of Plus Codes by Google yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Mapbox should be more popular than Plus Codes by Google. It has been mentiond 12 times since March 2021. 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
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Plus Codes by Google mentions (8)

  • A Critical Analysis of the What3Words Geocoding Algorithm
    For more on this, and why I think we shouldn't advocate for W3W, see: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2019/03/why-bother-with-what-three-words/ for theoretical reasons and https://w3w.me.ss/ for some practical examples. https://plus.codes seems much better, but sadly it uses numbers instead of words, which are much harder for humans to remember ( https://xkcd.com/936/ ), so I don't think it will ever catch on. That's... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Houses having names instead of numbers.
    I wish https://plus.codes/ took off. The benefit compared to what 3 words is that you can use the closest city to give directions and cells next to each other share the bigger cell name. Source: over 2 years ago
  • SpaceX is live with T-Mobile announcement
    And an additional shoutout for https://plus.codes/ from Google. Source: over 2 years ago
  • r/Starlink Questions Thread - March 2022
    New to this so sorry if this is stupid. I've been trying to use https://plus.codes to try to check an address for availability at starlink. Whatever code I put in, it simply tells me afterwards "please enter an address or a plus code". That website seems to give me either a shorter or a longer plus code. Neither of them seems to make the starlink website happy. When I try putting in the address, it doesn't like... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Those of you who won the "get in on another cell" game- how did you systematically go about testing plus codes?
    Https://plus.codes/ is really helpful it allows you to select areas by plus code so you can do fine incrementing once you locate an active cell to locate it's edge. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Mapbox and Plus Codes by Google, you can also consider the following products

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

what3words - Geocoding system for the simple communication of locations with a resolution of 3 m

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

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.

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.

Google Maps Go - Designed to run smoothly on devices with limited memory and on unreliable networks