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PostGIS VS MapQuest

Compare PostGIS VS MapQuest and see what are their differences

PostGIS logo PostGIS

Open source spatial database

MapQuest logo MapQuest

Official MapQuest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Explore!
  • PostGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-18
  • MapQuest
    Image date //
    2024-01-08

PostGIS features and specs

  • Open Source
    PostGIS is open-source, meaning it is free to use and has a strong community support for development and troubleshooting.
  • Integration with PostgreSQL
    PostGIS extends PostgreSQL, a robust relational database management system, providing powerful geospatial capabilities along with traditional SQL features.
  • Rich Geospatial Functions
    PostGIS offers a comprehensive range of geospatial functions and data types, making it suitable for complex spatial queries and analyses.
  • Cross-platform Support
    Being cross-platform, PostGIS can run on various operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering flexibility in deployment.
  • Active Community and Documentation
    PostGIS benefits from an active user community and extensive documentation, which aids in learning and problem-solving.
  • Scalability
    Built on PostgreSQL, PostGIS inherits its scalability features, which support large datasets and extensive query capabilities.
  • Customization and Extension
    PostGIS's open architecture allows for customization and the development of extensions to meet specific geospatial needs.

Possible disadvantages of PostGIS

  • Complexity
    The setup and maintenance of PostGIS can be complex for users without prior experience in PostgreSQL or geospatial databases.
  • Performance Overhead
    For extremely large datasets and very high-performance needs, the additional geospatial functionality can introduce some performance overhead.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a significant learning curve associated with mastering PostGIS, particularly for users who are not familiar with GIS or SQL.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running intensive geospatial queries can be resource-intensive, requiring significant memory and processing power.
  • Limited Advanced GIS Features
    While PostGIS offers extensive GIS features, it may fall short compared to specialized GIS software for certain advanced spatial analytics or visualization tasks.
  • Dependency on PostgreSQL
    As PostGIS is an extension to PostgreSQL, users are dependent on PostgreSQL updates and limitations, which might not always align with geospatial needs.

MapQuest features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    MapQuest offers an easy-to-navigate interface that is accessible to users of all experience levels.
  • Multiple Route Options
    Provides different routes to choose from, including the fastest and shortest options, helping users decide the best path to their destination.
  • Real-Time Traffic Updates
    Offers live traffic updates, helping users avoid congestion and find the quickest routes.
  • Accurate Directions
    MapQuest is known for providing reliable and accurate driving, walking, and public transportation directions.
  • Additional Features
    Includes extra features like local business search, hotel bookings, gas price comparisons, and weather updates.

Possible disadvantages of MapQuest

  • Advertisements
    The site can be cluttered with ads that may detract from the user experience.
  • Limited Global Coverage
    While comprehensive in North America, it may lack detailed maps and features for other regions compared to its competitors.
  • Mobile App Performance
    The mobile app could be slower and less responsive compared to other navigation apps.
  • Fewer Updates
    May not receive map and feature updates as frequently as some leading competitors, potentially leading to outdated information.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    No robust offline functionality, making it less useful in areas with poor or no internet connectivity.

Analysis of PostGIS

Overall verdict

  • Yes, PostGIS is highly regarded for its capabilities in managing and analyzing spatial data. It is a powerful tool for those needing advanced spatial functionalities and is often recommended due to its open-source nature and extensive community support.

Why this product is good

  • PostGIS is considered a robust spatial database extender for PostgreSQL, offering extensive support for geographic objects, which enables it to manage and analyze spatial data efficiently. It provides a wide range of functions for spatial queries, including geometry and geography data types, and it supports spatial indexing and topological relationships. Its integration with PostgreSQL ensures reliability, scalability, and performance, making it a popular choice for GIS professionals.

Recommended for

  • Geographic Information System (GIS) professionals
  • Organizations managing spatial databases
  • Developers building applications requiring spatial data processing
  • Environmental scientists and urban planners
  • Businesses needing location-based data analysis

Analysis of MapQuest

Overall verdict

  • MapQuest is a solid option for those seeking an alternative to more mainstream mapping services. Its reliability, ease of use, and additional features make it a viable choice for many users, especially those looking for specific functionalities like fuel cost calculation and printable maps.

Why this product is good

  • MapQuest is a reliable online mapping service known for its extensive history in web-based navigation. It offers features such as driving directions, route planners, and real-time traffic updates which are useful for travelers. The platform also provides options for local business searches, fuel price comparisons, and integration with other services. Overall, it is a comprehensive tool for both everyday commuters and travelers alike.

Recommended for

  • Travelers needing printed routes
  • Users looking for fuel price comparisons
  • Individuals interested in real-time traffic updates
  • Those seeking a simple and straightforward mapping tool

PostGIS videos

Como Instalar o PostgreSQL com PostGIS | ALL com GEO

More videos:

  • Review - Paul Ramsey: This Is PostGIS
  • Review - A New Dimension To PostGIS : 3D

MapQuest videos

Waze vs Google Maps vs Apple Maps vs Mapquest!

More videos:

  • Review - What Happened to MapQuest? - The Decline of MapQuest...
  • Review - Mapquest Brief Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PostGIS and MapQuest)
Database Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Maps
17 17%
83% 83
Web Mapping
0 0%
100% 100
Application And Data
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 PostGIS and MapQuest

PostGIS Reviews

The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS
For those in the engineering and GIS community, PostGIS is a well-known open source extension for the PostgreSQL database that allows for spatial data to be stored, managed, and queried. The software enables users to conduct complex geospatial analyses and โ€“ because it is built on top of the powerful open-source database PostgreSQL โ€“ it can handle large datasets with ease....

MapQuest Reviews

7 Alternatives to Google Maps for Navigation
MapQuest is a mapping application that has been around since the early 90s. That doesnโ€™t mean itโ€™s good. Even though it has a bit of a dated interface, MapQuest gives you search options for addresses, points of interest, and specific businesses.
8 Best Roadtrippers Alternatives for Efficient Trip Planning in 2023
In conclusion, while Roadtrippers offers a great way to plan road trips, there are several excellent alternatives available to cater to diverse travel needs. From the sophisticated route optimization of MapQuest to the collaborative planning of Wanderlog, and the comprehensive navigation features of inRoute and TripIt, each alternative brings its own strengths to the table.
Going Beyond: The Best Alternatives to Google Maps in 2024
If you use public transport to travel between places, MapQuest is an excellent alternative to Google Maps worth trying. As an online mapping service and an app for Android and iOS smartphones, MapQuest allows you to find the best local transportation available along your route. In addition, the mobile app will enable you to book a cab directly. With MapQuest, youโ€™ll also get...
Source: stratoflow.com
Top 15 Google Maps Alternatives (2024 Edition)
You can plan a route with a MapQuest route planner if you want an age-old mapping tool like Google Maps.
9 Google Maps Alternatives to Use in 2022
If you are someone who uses public transport to commute between places, then MapQuest is a great Google Maps alternative to try out. Available as a web-based mapping service and an app for android and iOS smartphones, MapQuest enables you to find the best local transportation service available on your route and also presents you with an option to reserve a cab directly from...
Source: geekflare.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, PostGIS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

PostGIS mentions (1)

  • Efficient Distance Querying in MySQL
    This is an interesting article about strategies to use when traditional indexes just won't do, but for the love of the index please use MySQL's (or postgres' or sqlite's) built in spatial index for this particular class of problems. It will does this sort of thing much, much more efficiently than 99% of in house solutions. https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.0/en/spatial-types.html... - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago

MapQuest mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MapQuest yet. Tracking of MapQuest recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PostGIS and MapQuest, you can also consider the following products

Slick - A jquery plugin for creating slideshows and carousels into your webpage.

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

Sequel Pro - MySQL database management for Mac OS X

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.

Maptitude - Maptitude is a mapping software that is fitted with GIS features that avail maps and other forms of data regarding the surrounding geographical areas. Read more about Maptitude.

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.