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CesiumJS vs MapTiler

CesiumJS logo

CesiumJS

Software

Open-source JavaScript library for creating 3D globes and 2D maps with support

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MapTiler logo

MapTiler

Software

Map hosting, styling, and APIs for developers with beautiful pre-built map styles

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CesiumJS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CesiumJS the free Community tier does not permit commercial use; MapTiler the free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CesiumJS and MapTiler actually diverge.

Attributes where CesiumJS and MapTiler differ
AttributeCesiumJSMapTiler
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in CesiumJS

Nothing recorded that MapTiler does not also cover.

Only in MapTiler

Nothing recorded that CesiumJS does not also cover.

Both cover

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CesiumJS

  • Streaming 3D terrain, imagery and building data into web applicationsnot MapTiler
  • Tiling and hosting large geospatial and reality capture datasetsnot MapTiler

MapTiler

  • Serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile applicationnot CesiumJS
  • Hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an APInot CesiumJS

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CesiumJS

  • The free Community tier does not permit commercial use
  • The cheapest commercial plan is $149 a month for an individual and $524 for a team
  • Team accounts are capped at 5 members on both the Commercial and Premium plans
  • Three separate quotas apply at once, being storage, monthly streaming and monthly reality modelling gigapixels, and exceeding any one of them constrains the account
  • Streaming is capped at 15 GB a month on the free tier

MapTiler

  • The free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map
  • Free is capped at 5,000 map sessions, 1,000 search sessions and 100,000 API requests a month
  • Free storage is 5 GB but limited to a single file
  • The Flex plan at $30 a month bills overage at $2.50 per 1,000 sessions and $0.15 per 1,000 API requests
  • Soft usage limits that prevent surprise overage bills are a Custom plan feature, so cheaper plans can run up charges
  • A 99.9% SLA requires the prepaid Custom contract

Pricing, plan by plan

CesiumJS

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the CesiumJS review.

MapTiler

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapTiler review.

Which should you pick?

Choose CesiumJS if

  • You want to start without paying.
CesiumJS review

Choose MapTiler if

Nothing in the data separates MapTiler from CesiumJS on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

MapTiler review

Questions people ask

Is CesiumJS or MapTiler better?
Neither clearly leads. CesiumJS starts at Free and MapTiler at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CesiumJS or MapTiler?
CesiumJS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CesiumJS and On request for MapTiler.
Does CesiumJS or MapTiler run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use CesiumJS for free?
Yes. CesiumJS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MapTiler starts at On request.
What is CesiumJS best used for?
CesiumJS is most often used for streaming 3d terrain, imagery and building data into web applications, tiling and hosting large geospatial and reality capture datasets. Of those, streaming 3d terrain, imagery and building data into web applications and tiling and hosting large geospatial and reality capture datasets are not what MapTiler is typically brought in for.
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