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Maps & Navigation · head to head

MapTiler vs Leaflet

MapTiler logo

MapTiler

Maps & Navigation

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Leaflet logo

Leaflet

Maps & Navigation

Leading open-source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps, used by millions of developers worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Leaflet has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MapTiler the free tier is restricted to testing, personal or non commercial use and forces a MapTiler logo on the map; Leaflet 2D only with no support for 3D features, tilt, or rotation

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MapTiler and Leaflet actually diverge.

Attributes where MapTiler and Leaflet differ
AttributeMapTilerLeaflet
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierNoYes

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

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 MapTiler

Nothing recorded that Leaflet does not also cover.

Only in Leaflet

Nothing recorded that MapTiler 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.

MapTiler

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

Leaflet

  • Embedding interactive maps in a web pagenot MapTiler
  • Mobile-friendly map interfaces across desktop and mobile browsersnot MapTiler
  • Mapping where bundle size matters, at roughly 42 KB of JavaScriptnot MapTiler
  • Extending a basic map with plugins rather than adopting a full platformnot MapTiler

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

MapTiler

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapTiler review.

Leaflet

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Leaflet review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MapTiler if

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

MapTiler review

Choose Leaflet if

  • You want to start without paying.
Leaflet review

Questions people ask

Is MapTiler or Leaflet better?
Neither clearly leads. MapTiler starts at On request and Leaflet at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MapTiler or Leaflet?
Leaflet has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for MapTiler and Free for Leaflet.
Does MapTiler or Leaflet 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. MapTiler starts at On request.
What is MapTiler best used for?
MapTiler is most often used for serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile application, hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an api. Of those, serving vector map tiles and styles in a web or mobile application and hosting custom map data and geocoding behind an api are not what Leaflet 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.

Source
Leaflet: 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.

Source
Leaflet: 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.

Source
Leaflet: What is the file size of Leaflet?

Leaflet weighs about 42 KB of JavaScript.

Source
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