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Maps · head to head

deck.gl vs Kepler.gl

deck.gl logo

deck.gl

Maps

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kepler.gl logo

Kepler.gl

Maps

Powerful open-source geospatial analysis tool for large-scale datasets, enabling beautiful data visualizations without coding

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; Kepler.gl kepler.gl is a free open source library with no vendor-sold edition; confirmed by the absence of any App Store, marketplace or G-Cloud listing, support is limited to community GitHub issues rather than a purchased SLA.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where deck.gl and Kepler.gl differ
Attributedeck.glKepler.gl
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 Kepler.gl does not also cover.

Only in Kepler.gl

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 Kepler.gl
  • Composing map overlays from reusable layersnot Kepler.gl
  • Adding data layers on top of Google Maps or Mapbox basemapsnot Kepler.gl
  • High-precision plotting using 64-bit GPU computationnot Kepler.gl
  • Use from React or plain JavaScriptnot Kepler.gl

Kepler.gl

No use cases recorded yet. See the Kepler.gl review.

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

Kepler.gl

  • Kepler.gl is a free open source library with no vendor-sold edition; confirmed by the absence of any App Store, marketplace or G-Cloud listing, support is limited to community GitHub issues rather than a purchased SLA.

Pricing, plan by plan

deck.gl

Free

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

Kepler.gl

On request

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

Which should you pick?

Choose deck.gl if

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

Choose Kepler.gl if

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

Kepler.gl review

Questions people ask

Is deck.gl or Kepler.gl better?
Neither clearly leads. deck.gl starts at Free and Kepler.gl at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, deck.gl or Kepler.gl?
deck.gl has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for deck.gl and On request for Kepler.gl.
Does deck.gl or Kepler.gl 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. Kepler.gl 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 Kepler.gl 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
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
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