@googlemaps/js-api-loader vs @react-google-maps/api vs react-google-maps vs google-maps-react vs google-maps-api-loader
Google Maps Integration Libraries for Web Development Comparison
1 Year
@googlemaps/js-api-loader@react-google-maps/apireact-google-mapsgoogle-maps-reactgoogle-maps-api-loaderSimilar Packages:
What's Google Maps Integration Libraries for Web Development?

These libraries facilitate the integration of Google Maps into web applications, providing various functionalities such as loading the Google Maps JavaScript API, rendering maps, and adding markers or other overlays. They cater to different frameworks and use cases, allowing developers to choose the best fit for their project needs and preferences.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
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Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
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Publish
License
@googlemaps/js-api-loader1,762,322381228 kB227 months agoApache-2.0
@react-google-maps/api722,3671,8666.01 MB2027 days agoMIT
react-google-maps138,3114,627-2727 years agoMIT
google-maps-react66,1221,638-2955 years agoMIT
google-maps-api-loader11,27640-07 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: @googlemaps/js-api-loader vs @react-google-maps/api vs react-google-maps vs google-maps-react vs google-maps-api-loader

API Loading Management

  • @googlemaps/js-api-loader:

    This package provides a simple way to load the Google Maps JavaScript API asynchronously, allowing developers to control when and how the API is loaded. It supports multiple versions and can be configured with various options such as language and region.

  • @react-google-maps/api:

    It abstracts the loading of the Google Maps API and handles it internally, ensuring that the API is loaded before any components that depend on it are rendered. This simplifies the development process for React applications.

  • react-google-maps:

    It also manages API loading internally, but it may require more configuration and setup compared to other libraries. It is designed for developers who need a robust solution with more features.

  • google-maps-react:

    This package manages the loading of the Google Maps API as part of its component lifecycle, ensuring that the API is ready when components are mounted. However, it may not provide as much flexibility as other loaders.

  • google-maps-api-loader:

    A minimalistic loader that focuses solely on loading the Google Maps API. It does not provide additional features or abstractions, making it suitable for lightweight applications that do not require complex functionalities.

React Component Integration

  • @googlemaps/js-api-loader:

    This package does not provide React components directly; it is meant to be used alongside other libraries or custom components to integrate Google Maps functionality.

  • @react-google-maps/api:

    Offers a rich set of React components specifically designed for Google Maps, including Map, Marker, and InfoWindow components, making it easy to build interactive maps in React applications.

  • react-google-maps:

    Offers a comprehensive set of components for Google Maps integration in React, allowing for easy customization and interaction with the maps.

  • google-maps-react:

    Provides a set of React components that simplify the integration of Google Maps, including features like markers and event handling, making it easier for developers to create map-based applications.

  • google-maps-api-loader:

    It does not provide any React components; it is a utility for loading the API, and developers must create their own components to utilize the API features.

Flexibility and Customization

  • @googlemaps/js-api-loader:

    Highly flexible as it allows developers to load the API and create custom components without any restrictions. This is ideal for those who want full control over their implementation.

  • @react-google-maps/api:

    Offers a good balance of flexibility and ease of use, allowing developers to customize map components while providing a straightforward API for common tasks.

  • react-google-maps:

    Offers extensive customization options for map components, allowing developers to create highly tailored map experiences.

  • google-maps-react:

    Provides a structured way to integrate Google Maps but may impose some limitations on customization compared to more flexible libraries.

  • google-maps-api-loader:

    Very limited in terms of customization as it focuses solely on loading the API without any additional features or components.

Community and Support

  • @googlemaps/js-api-loader:

    As a newer package, it has a smaller community, but it is backed by Google, ensuring ongoing support and updates.

  • @react-google-maps/api:

    Has a growing community and is actively maintained, providing good documentation and support for developers.

  • react-google-maps:

    A well-established library with a strong community and plenty of resources, though it may not be as actively updated as some newer alternatives.

  • google-maps-react:

    Has a decent community and resources available, but it may not be as actively maintained as newer libraries.

  • google-maps-api-loader:

    Limited community support due to its minimalistic nature, which may lead to challenges in finding resources or examples.

Learning Curve

  • @googlemaps/js-api-loader:

    Easy to learn for developers familiar with JavaScript, but requires additional effort to integrate with frameworks like React.

  • @react-google-maps/api:

    Designed for React developers, it has a moderate learning curve due to its component-based architecture, but it is generally straightforward to use.

  • react-google-maps:

    Has a moderate learning curve, especially for those new to React, but provides comprehensive documentation to help developers get started.

  • google-maps-react:

    Offers a more opinionated structure, which may have a steeper learning curve for beginners but simplifies integration for experienced React developers.

  • google-maps-api-loader:

    Very easy to use for loading the API, but developers need to handle all subsequent functionality themselves, which may increase complexity.

How to Choose: @googlemaps/js-api-loader vs @react-google-maps/api vs react-google-maps vs google-maps-react vs google-maps-api-loader
  • @googlemaps/js-api-loader:

    Choose this package if you need a lightweight solution for loading the Google Maps JavaScript API dynamically. It is framework-agnostic and ideal for projects where you want to manage the loading of the API yourself without additional abstractions.

  • @react-google-maps/api:

    Select this package if you are working with React and want a comprehensive solution for integrating Google Maps. It provides a set of React components that simplify the process of rendering maps and adding various overlays, making it suitable for complex applications.

  • react-google-maps:

    Choose this package if you want a more mature solution for integrating Google Maps in React applications. It provides a rich set of features and components, but it may require more boilerplate code compared to newer alternatives.

  • google-maps-react:

    This package is suitable for React developers looking for a more opinionated approach to Google Maps integration. It offers a set of components and higher-order components that make it easy to work with maps, but it may be less flexible than other options.

  • google-maps-api-loader:

    Opt for this package if you prefer a simple loader for the Google Maps API without any additional features. It's a straightforward choice for projects that require minimal functionality and want to keep dependencies to a minimum.

README for @googlemaps/js-api-loader

Google Maps JavaScript API Loader

npm Build Release codecov GitHub contributors semantic-release Discord

Description

Load the Google Maps JavaScript API script dynamically. This takes inspiration from the google-maps npm package but updates it with ES6, Promises, and TypeScript.

Install

Available via npm as the package @googlemaps/js-api-loader.

npm i @googlemaps/js-api-loader

Alternatively you may add the umd package directly to the html document using the unpkg link.

<script src="https://unpkg.com/@googlemaps/js-api-loader@1.x/dist/index.min.js"></script>

When adding via unpkg, the loader can be accessed at google.maps.plugins.loader.Loader.

TypeScript

TypeScript users need to install the following types package.

npm i -D @types/google.maps

Documentation

The reference documentation can be found at this link. The Google Maps JavaScript API documentation is the authoritative source for the loader options.

Example

import { Loader } from '@googlemaps/js-api-loader';

const loader = new Loader({
  apiKey: "",
  version: "weekly",
  libraries: ["places"]
});

const mapOptions = {
  center: {
    lat: 0,
    lng: 0
  },
  zoom: 4
};

Using a promise for a specific library.

// Promise for a specific library
loader
  .importLibrary('maps')
  .then(({Map}) => {
    new Map(document.getElementById("map"), mapOptions);
  })
  .catch((e) => {
    // do something
  });

Using a promise for when the script has loaded.

// Promise
loader
  .load()
  .then((google) => {
    new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map"), mapOptions);
  })
  .catch(e => {
    // do something
  });

Alternatively, if you want to use a callback.

// Callback
loader.loadCallback(e => {
  if (e) {
    console.log(e);
  } else {
    new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map"), mapOptions);
  }
});

View the package in action here.

Support

This library is community supported. We're comfortable enough with the stability and features of the library that we want you to build real production applications on it.

If you find a bug, or have a feature suggestion, please log an issue. If you'd like to contribute, please read How to Contribute.