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MapLibre

by MapLibre Organization · Library · also known as MapLibre GL JS, MapLibre Native

Open-source vector-tile map renderers for web (GL JS) and native platforms, forked from Mapbox GL and governed by a community organisation

BSD-3-Clause licenseOpen sourceFreeLocalSelf-hostedSelf-hostable
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Link verified Nov 2, 2026

Overview

MapLibre is a community-governed family of open-source map rendering libraries that began as a fork of Mapbox GL JS and the Mapbox native SDKs when those moved to a proprietary licence. MapLibre GL JS renders vector tiles in the browser with WebGL, supporting data-driven styling, rotation, tilt, 3D terrain and globe views; MapLibre Native targets iOS, Android, Qt and other platforms from a shared C++ core. The MapLibre Style Specification documents the style JSON, and the project also stewards tooling such as Martin and a tile-server ecosystem. It works with any vector-tile source, including self-hosted PMTiles or OpenStreetMap-derived tiles from providers like OpenFreeMap, Stadia or MapTiler. Users must supply their own tiles and styles, keep up with an actively evolving API, and accept that some advanced Mapbox features have no exact counterpart.

Capabilities

  • WebGL vector-tile rendering with data-driven styles
  • Rotation, pitch, 3D terrain and globe projection
  • Native SDKs for iOS, Android and Qt from a shared core
  • Open style specification compatible with many tile providers
  • Support for PMTiles and self-hosted tile servers
  • Plugin and framework integrations (React, Vue, Svelte)

Typical workflows

  1. Serve OSM-derived vector tiles from PMTiles and style them in MapLibre
  2. Replace Mapbox GL JS v1 in an existing app with minimal code changes

Strengths

  • BSD-3-Clause license with no vendor token
  • Works with any tile or style source
  • Active community governance

Limitations

  • Tiles, styles and hosting are the user's responsibility
  • API evolves quickly across major versions
  • Some Mapbox proprietary features are absent

Prerequisites

  • A vector-tile source and style JSON

Who it is for

  • Web and mobile developers avoiding vendor lock-in
  • Teams self-hosting map infrastructure

Alternatives & comparison

Mapbox GL JS is the proprietary ancestor with a hosted data and billing stack; MapLibre keeps the rendering engine open and tile-provider agnostic. Leaflet is lighter and raster-first. OpenStreetMap supplies the data that most MapLibre tile sources derive from.

  • D3

    Modular JavaScript library for bespoke, data-driven web graphics: scales, axes, shapes, layouts, geo projections, transitions and DOM selections

    Open sourceOpen source
  • Google Maps Platform

    Google's commercial suite of mapping APIs: maps and Street View embedding, Places, Geocoding, Routes and Distance Matrix, billed per request

    ProprietaryUsage-based
  • Leaflet

    Lightweight open-source JavaScript library for interactive tile-based web maps with markers, vector layers and a large plugin ecosystem

    Open sourceOpen source
  • Mapbox

    Commercial mapping platform with vector tiles, map styling, geocoding, directions and SDKs for web, iOS and Android, billed by usage

    ProprietaryFreemium
  • OpenStreetMap

    Collaboratively edited world map database released under the ODbL, with planet files, an editing API and derived tiles and extracts

    Open sourceFree
Compare MapLibre with its alternatives →

Sources & verification

Primary sources consulted for this record. Claims are tied to the fields each source supports; the automated link checker re-verifies every URL on a schedule.

  • License
    LICENSE.txt (BSD 3-Clause)

    https://github.com/maplibre/maplibre-gl-js/blob/main/LICENSE.txt

    Supports: license_spdx, source_model

    checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Official documentation
    MapLibre GL JS documentation

    https://maplibre.org/maplibre-gl-js/docs

    Supports: capabilities, interfaces

    checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Official site
    MapLibre

    https://maplibre.org/

    Supports: name, summary

    checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Repository
    maplibre/maplibre-native

    https://github.com/maplibre/maplibre-native

    Supports: operating_systems, languages

    checked Nov 1, 2026
Confidence
High
Reviewed
Nov 1, 2026
Links
Verified · Nov 2, 2026

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