d3-geo vs leaflet vs @turf/turf vs jsts vs geolib vs turf
Geospatial Libraries for Web Development Comparison
1 Year
d3-geoleaflet@turf/turfjstsgeolibturfSimilar Packages:
What's Geospatial Libraries for Web Development?

Geospatial libraries are essential tools for web developers working with geographical data, enabling the manipulation, analysis, and visualization of spatial information. These libraries provide various functionalities ranging from simple geometric calculations to complex mapping and data visualization capabilities. They are widely used in applications such as geographic information systems (GIS), data visualization, and location-based services, allowing developers to create interactive maps and perform spatial analysis efficiently.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
d3-geo5,339,4871,051227 kB33a year agoISC
leaflet1,572,10142,4763.74 MB5532 years agoBSD-2-Clause
@turf/turf662,0959,654620 kB2613 months agoMIT
jsts322,4631,5113.7 MB85 months ago(EDL-1.0 OR EPL-1.0)
geolib288,0434,247105 kB712 years agoMIT
turf16,5119,654-2619 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: d3-geo vs leaflet vs @turf/turf vs jsts vs geolib vs turf

Geospatial Analysis

  • d3-geo:

    d3-geo provides basic geographic calculations and projections but is primarily focused on visualizing data rather than performing in-depth analysis. It allows for the transformation of geographic coordinates into screen coordinates for rendering.

  • leaflet:

    leaflet focuses on rendering interactive maps and does not provide extensive analysis capabilities. It is best used for visualizing geospatial data rather than performing complex analyses.

  • @turf/turf:

    @turf/turf offers a rich set of functions for geospatial analysis, including calculating distances, areas, and performing spatial joins. It supports operations on GeoJSON data, making it versatile for various geospatial tasks.

  • jsts:

    jsts excels in advanced geometric operations and spatial analysis. It supports operations like intersection, union, and buffering, making it ideal for applications that require precise geometric computations.

  • geolib:

    geolib is designed for simple geospatial calculations such as distance and area measurements. It is not as feature-rich as other libraries but is effective for straightforward tasks without the overhead of complex functionalities.

  • turf:

    turf provides a comprehensive suite of geospatial analysis tools, allowing for complex operations on GeoJSON data, including spatial joins, clustering, and data aggregation.

Ease of Use

  • d3-geo:

    d3-geo requires familiarity with the D3.js ecosystem, which may present a learning curve for new users. However, once understood, it offers powerful capabilities for geographic data visualization.

  • leaflet:

    leaflet is known for its simplicity and ease of use, allowing developers to create interactive maps with minimal code. Its intuitive API makes it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

  • @turf/turf:

    @turf/turf is designed to be user-friendly, with a clear API that makes it easy to perform geospatial operations without extensive setup. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced developers.

  • jsts:

    jsts has a steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive geometric capabilities. Users need to understand geometric concepts to effectively utilize its features, which may be challenging for beginners.

  • geolib:

    geolib is lightweight and straightforward, making it easy to integrate into projects for basic geospatial calculations without much overhead. Its simplicity is a key advantage for quick implementations.

  • turf:

    turf is relatively easy to use with a straightforward API, making it accessible for developers who need to perform geospatial analysis without delving into complex setups.

Performance

  • d3-geo:

    d3-geo is efficient for rendering geographic data in visualizations, but performance may vary depending on the complexity of the projections and the amount of data being processed.

  • leaflet:

    leaflet is optimized for rendering maps and handling user interactions efficiently. It performs well even with a considerable amount of data, making it suitable for interactive applications.

  • @turf/turf:

    @turf/turf is optimized for performance in geospatial calculations, but extensive operations on large datasets can still be resource-intensive. It is important to consider the size of the data when using it for complex analyses.

  • jsts:

    jsts can be computationally intensive due to its advanced geometric operations. Performance may vary based on the complexity of the geometries being processed, so optimization may be necessary for large datasets.

  • geolib:

    geolib is lightweight and performs well for basic calculations, making it suitable for applications that require quick responses without heavy computational demands.

  • turf:

    turf is generally performant for geospatial analyses, but as with @turf/turf, operations on large datasets can lead to performance bottlenecks. Efficient data handling is crucial for maintaining performance.

Integration

  • d3-geo:

    d3-geo is part of the D3.js ecosystem, making it easy to integrate with other D3 components for creating complex visualizations that include geographic data.

  • leaflet:

    leaflet is highly extensible and integrates well with a variety of plugins and other libraries, making it a popular choice for building interactive maps and geospatial applications.

  • @turf/turf:

    @turf/turf integrates seamlessly with other geospatial libraries and frameworks, allowing for enhanced functionality in geospatial applications. It works well with Leaflet and D3.js for visualization.

  • jsts:

    jsts can be integrated with other geospatial libraries but may require additional setup for compatibility. It is best used in conjunction with libraries that handle geometric data.

  • geolib:

    geolib can be easily integrated into existing projects that require basic geospatial calculations, but it may not offer extensive compatibility with other libraries.

  • turf:

    turf can be integrated with various mapping libraries like Leaflet and Mapbox, enhancing the capabilities of geospatial applications by providing powerful analysis tools.

Community and Support

  • d3-geo:

    d3-geo benefits from the large D3.js community, providing ample resources, tutorials, and support for users. The documentation is comprehensive and well-maintained.

  • leaflet:

    leaflet has a large and active community, with numerous plugins and resources available. The documentation is thorough, making it easy for developers to get started and find support.

  • @turf/turf:

    @turf/turf has a strong community and active support, with extensive documentation and examples available for developers. This makes it easier to find help and resources when needed.

  • jsts:

    jsts has a dedicated user base, but the community is smaller than that of more popular libraries. Documentation is available but may not be as extensive as others.

  • geolib:

    geolib has a smaller community compared to others, which may limit the availability of resources and support. However, its simplicity makes it easier to use without extensive documentation.

  • turf:

    turf has a vibrant community with a wealth of resources, tutorials, and documentation available. Its popularity ensures that developers can find help and examples easily.

How to Choose: d3-geo vs leaflet vs @turf/turf vs jsts vs geolib vs turf
  • d3-geo:

    Select d3-geo if your project focuses on data visualization and requires the integration of geographic data into charts or graphs. It is ideal for creating custom projections and visualizing geographic data in a flexible manner, especially when combined with the broader D3.js ecosystem.

  • leaflet:

    Choose leaflet for building interactive maps with ease. It is a user-friendly library that allows for quick map creation and manipulation, making it perfect for projects that need to display geographical data on a map without extensive setup or configuration.

  • @turf/turf:

    Choose @turf/turf if you need a comprehensive suite of geospatial analysis tools that can handle a wide range of geographic data operations, including geometric manipulations, spatial analysis, and data aggregation. It is particularly useful for projects that require extensive geospatial calculations and operations on GeoJSON data.

  • jsts:

    Use jsts if you require advanced geometric operations and spatial analysis capabilities, particularly for vector data. It is a port of the Java Topology Suite and is best suited for applications that need robust geometric computations, such as intersection, union, and buffering of geometries.

  • geolib:

    Opt for geolib if you need a lightweight library for basic geospatial calculations such as distance measurement, area calculation, and simple coordinate transformations. It is suitable for projects with minimal geospatial requirements and where performance is a key consideration.

  • turf:

    Select turf if you are looking for a powerful library for geospatial analysis that is also easy to use. It provides a variety of functions for manipulating GeoJSON data and performing spatial operations, making it suitable for both simple and complex geospatial tasks.

README for d3-geo

d3-geo

This module uses spherical GeoJSON to represent geographic features in JavaScript. D3 supports a wide variety of common and unusual map projections. And because D3 uses spherical geometry to represent data, you can apply any aspect to any projection by rotating geometry.

Resources