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Maps · head to head

deck.gl vs GraphHopper

deck.gl logo

deck.gl

Maps

WebGL-powered framework for visual exploratory data analysis of large datasets, developed by

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GraphHopper logo

GraphHopper

Maps

Open-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only deck.gl has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: deck.gl open source framework with no commercial support tier available; support relies on community and GitHub issues; GraphHopper the free plan is non commercial use only
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which deck.gl and GraphHopper actually diverge.

Attributes where deck.gl and GraphHopper differ
Attributedeck.glGraphHopper
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
Free tierYesNo

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

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 deck.gl

Nothing recorded that GraphHopper does not also cover.

Only in GraphHopper

Nothing recorded that deck.gl 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.

deck.gl

  • GPU-accelerated visualisation of large geospatial datasets in the browsernot GraphHopper
  • Composing map overlays from reusable layersnot GraphHopper
  • Adding data layers on top of Google Maps or Mapbox basemapsnot GraphHopper
  • High-precision plotting using 64-bit GPU computationnot GraphHopper
  • Use from React or plain JavaScriptnot GraphHopper

GraphHopper

  • Routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an APInot deck.gl
  • Map matching GPS traces and generating isochronesnot deck.gl

Where each one falls short

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

deck.gl

  • Open source framework with no commercial support tier available; support relies on community and GitHub issues
  • Maintained by community contributors (vis.gl contributors), not by a dedicated company support team

GraphHopper

  • The free plan is non commercial use only
  • Free allows 500 credits a day, 5 locations per request and a single vehicle
  • Request complexity is capped per plan, at 30 locations and 2 vehicles on Basic at 69 EUR a month, rising to 200 locations and 20 vehicles on Premium at 479 EUR
  • Isochrone range is limited by plan, at 15 minutes on Basic and 30 on Premium
  • Credits are a daily allowance, so a busy day cannot draw on a quiet one

Pricing, plan by plan

deck.gl

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the deck.gl review.

GraphHopper

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the GraphHopper review.

Which should you pick?

Choose deck.gl if

  • You want to start without paying.
deck.gl review

Choose GraphHopper if

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

GraphHopper review

Questions people ask

Is deck.gl or GraphHopper better?
Neither clearly leads. deck.gl starts at Free and GraphHopper at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, deck.gl or GraphHopper?
deck.gl has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for deck.gl and On request for GraphHopper.
Does deck.gl or GraphHopper run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use deck.gl for free?
Yes. deck.gl has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. GraphHopper starts at On request.
What is deck.gl best used for?
deck.gl is most often used for gpu-accelerated visualisation of large geospatial datasets in the browser, composing map overlays from reusable layers, adding data layers on top of google maps or mapbox basemaps, high-precision plotting using 64-bit gpu computation. Of those, gpu-accelerated visualisation of large geospatial datasets in the browser and composing map overlays from reusable layers are not what GraphHopper is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

deck.gl: How much does deck.gl cost?

deck.gl is completely free to use. It is an open source framework maintained by the OpenJS Foundation and community contributors. The project is available on GitHub for anyone to use, modify, and contribute to without cost.

Source
GraphHopper: Is the free plan actually usable for production?

No. The free tier is limited to non-commercial use only and includes 500 daily credits. To use GraphHopper in production, you need a paid plan starting at 69 euros per month.

Source
deck.gl: Is deck.gl open source?

Yes, deck.gl is open source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation and vis.gl contributors. The source code is publicly available, and the framework can be used freely in any project.

Source
GraphHopper: What happens if I exceed my daily credit limit?

The page does not specify. Each tier has a daily credit limit (500 for free, 5,000 for Basic, 15,000 for Standard, 50,000 for Premium), but no overage policy is documented.

Source
GraphHopper: Does GraphHopper offer a trial period?

No. There is no trial period. You can start with the free plan to test, but commercial use requires a paid subscription.

Source
GraphHopper: How much does the Premium plan cost and what do I get?

Premium is 479 euros per month and includes 50,000 daily credits, up to 200 locations per request, up to 20 vehicles, email and phone support, and access to all APIs including routing and optimization.

Source
GraphHopper: Is there a discount if I link back to GraphHopper?

Yes. A 20% discount is available with proper attribution. The page also mentions a 99.5% uptime SLA on paid plans only.

Source
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