Software · head to head
Leaflet vs Google Maps Platform
Leaflet
Software
Leading open-source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps, used by millions of developers worldwide
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Google Maps Platform
Software
Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Leaflet has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Leaflet 2D only with no support for 3D features, tilt, or rotation; Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Leaflet and Google Maps Platform actually diverge.
| Attribute | Leaflet | Google Maps Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | Unknown | 2005 |
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 Leaflet
Nothing recorded that Google Maps Platform does not also cover.
Only in Google Maps Platform
Nothing recorded that Leaflet 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.
Leaflet
- Embedding interactive maps in a web pagenot Google Maps Platform
- Mobile-friendly map interfaces across desktop and mobile browsersnot Google Maps Platform
- Mapping where bundle size matters, at roughly 42 KB of JavaScriptnot Google Maps Platform
- Extending a basic map with plugins rather than adopting a full platformnot Google Maps Platform
Google Maps Platform
- Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot Leaflet
- Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot Leaflet
- Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot Leaflet
- Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot Leaflet
- Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot Leaflet
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Leaflet
- 2D only with no support for 3D features, tilt, or rotation
- Performance degrades when rendering large datasets of complex vector geometries without optimization
- Limited dynamic styling support; style is fixed on the server when using raster tiles
- Lacks native support for WMS features; requires plugins like Leaflet.WMS and complex feature identification is cumbersome
- Requires external tile service for map imagery; does not provide map tiles natively
Google Maps Platform
- Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
- Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
- Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
- Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
- Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike
Pricing, plan by plan
Leaflet
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Leaflet review.
Google Maps Platform
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Maps Platform if
Nothing in the data separates Google Maps Platform from Leaflet on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Leaflet or Google Maps Platform better?
- Neither clearly leads. Leaflet starts at Free and Google Maps Platform at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Leaflet or Google Maps Platform?
- Leaflet has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Leaflet and On request for Google Maps Platform.
- Does Leaflet or Google Maps Platform run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Leaflet for free?
- Yes. Leaflet has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Maps Platform starts at On request.
- What is Leaflet best used for?
- Leaflet is most often used for embedding interactive maps in a web page, mobile-friendly map interfaces across desktop and mobile browsers, mapping where bundle size matters, at roughly 42 kb of javascript, extending a basic map with plugins rather than adopting a full platform. Of those, embedding interactive maps in a web page and mobile-friendly map interfaces across desktop and mobile browsers are not what Google Maps Platform is typically brought in for.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Leaflet: Is Leaflet free and open source?
Yes. Leaflet is open-source JavaScript library licensed for free use. Over 400 plugins add capabilities like marker clustering, heatmaps, drawing tools, geocoding, and routing.
SourceLeaflet: How do I include Leaflet in my project via CDN?
Leaflet is available on multiple free CDNs including unpkg, cdnjs, and jsDelivr. Include the CSS stylesheet from https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.css and JavaScript from https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.js in your HTML head.
SourceLeaflet: What mapping services does Leaflet support?
Leaflet integrates seamlessly with various mapping services including OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, Bing, and other custom tile providers, allowing developers to choose the best base layer.
SourceLeaflet: What is the file size of Leaflet?
Leaflet weighs about 42 KB of JavaScript.
Source