Free, open-source alternatives to Mapbox
Maps, geocoding and routing APIs. 5 apps you can run yourself instead of Mapbox, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
TileServer GLBest match
Vector and raster maps with GL styles. Server side rendering by Mapbox GL Native. Map tile server for Mapbox GL JS, Android, iOS, Leaflet, OpenLayers, GIS via WMTS, etc.
Nominatim
Server application for geocoding (address -> coordinates) and reverse geocoding (coordinates -> address) on OpenStreetMap data.
GraphHopper
Fast routing library and server using OpenStreetMap.
OpenRouteService
Route service with directions, isochrones, time-distance matrix, route optimization, etc.
Open Source Routing Machine (OSRM)
High performance routing engine designed to run on OpenStreetMap data and offering an HTTP API, C++ library interface, and Nodejs wrapper.
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TileServer GL | 2,909 | BSD-2-Clause | Node.js, Docker | |
| Nominatim | 4,514 | GPL-2.0 | C | |
| GraphHopper | 6,728 | Apache-2.0 | Java | |
| OpenRouteService | 1,980 | GPL-3.0 | Docker, Java | |
| Open Source Routing Machine (OSRM) | 8,135 | BSD-2-Clause | C++ |
Why replace Mapbox?
Mapbox works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Mapbox?
TileServer GL is the closest open-source replacement for Mapbox in our list. Nominatim and GraphHopper are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Mapbox?
Yes. All 5 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.