@vis.gl/react-google-maps vs react-google-maps vs google-maps-react
React Google Maps Libraries Comparison
1 Year
@vis.gl/react-google-mapsreact-google-mapsgoogle-maps-reactSimilar Packages:
What's React Google Maps Libraries?

React Google Maps libraries are specialized packages that facilitate the integration of Google Maps into React applications. They provide components and utilities to simplify the process of rendering maps, markers, and other geographical elements, allowing developers to create interactive and visually appealing map-based interfaces. Each library offers unique features and design philosophies, catering to different use cases and preferences in web development.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
@vis.gl/react-google-maps366,3011,605800 kB502 months agoMIT
react-google-maps120,8204,628-2727 years agoMIT
google-maps-react58,1491,638-2955 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: @vis.gl/react-google-maps vs react-google-maps vs google-maps-react

Performance

  • @vis.gl/react-google-maps:

    This library is optimized for performance, leveraging WebGL for rendering large datasets efficiently. It is ideal for applications that require smooth interactions and visualizations on maps, making it suitable for data-heavy applications.

  • react-google-maps:

    This library is designed for performance and allows for fine-tuning of rendering behavior. It can handle a significant number of markers and overlays while maintaining responsiveness, making it a good choice for complex applications.

  • google-maps-react:

    This package offers decent performance for standard use cases but may struggle with rendering many markers or complex overlays due to its reliance on the Google Maps JavaScript API. It is best for simpler applications with moderate map interactions.

Customization

  • @vis.gl/react-google-maps:

    Provides extensive customization options through the vis.gl framework, allowing developers to create tailored visualizations and interactions that go beyond standard map features. This is particularly useful for specialized applications that require unique map presentations.

  • react-google-maps:

    Highly customizable, allowing developers to create their own components and behaviors for map elements. This flexibility makes it a preferred choice for applications that require unique map functionalities.

  • google-maps-react:

    Offers basic customization options such as marker styles and map controls but is limited compared to others. It is suitable for applications that need standard map features without extensive customization.

Ease of Use

  • @vis.gl/react-google-maps:

    While powerful, this library may have a steeper learning curve due to its advanced capabilities and reliance on additional visualization concepts. Developers should be familiar with both React and data visualization principles.

  • react-google-maps:

    Offers a moderate learning curve. While it provides flexibility and customization, developers may need to invest time in understanding its component-based structure and how to effectively manage map state.

  • google-maps-react:

    Known for its simplicity and ease of use, this library is beginner-friendly and allows developers to quickly integrate Google Maps into their applications with minimal setup and configuration.

Community and Support

  • @vis.gl/react-google-maps:

    Backed by the vis.gl community, it has a growing user base and increasing support, especially for data visualization use cases. However, it may not have as extensive documentation as more established libraries.

  • react-google-maps:

    Has a dedicated community and a wealth of documentation, tutorials, and examples available. This support can be beneficial for developers looking to implement more complex features.

  • google-maps-react:

    This library has a large community and is widely used, resulting in abundant resources, tutorials, and community support. Its straightforward API makes it easy to find help and examples.

Integration with Other Libraries

  • @vis.gl/react-google-maps:

    Integrates well with other vis.gl libraries for advanced data visualization, making it suitable for applications that require both mapping and data representation features.

  • react-google-maps:

    Designed to work seamlessly with other React libraries and tools, providing a flexible option for developers looking to build complex applications that leverage multiple libraries.

  • google-maps-react:

    Easily integrates with other React libraries, making it a good choice for applications that need to combine maps with standard React components and state management solutions.

How to Choose: @vis.gl/react-google-maps vs react-google-maps vs google-maps-react
  • @vis.gl/react-google-maps:

    Choose this package if you need advanced visualization capabilities and are working with large datasets, as it integrates with the vis.gl suite for high-performance rendering and data visualization on maps.

  • react-google-maps:

    Opt for this package if you want a more customizable solution with a focus on performance and flexibility, as it provides a higher level of control over map components and their behavior.

  • google-maps-react:

    Select this library if you prefer a straightforward, easy-to-use API for integrating Google Maps into your React application, with built-in support for common features like markers and info windows.

README for @vis.gl/react-google-maps

React Components for the Google Maps JavaScript API

MIT License

This is a TypeScript / JavaScript library to integrate the Maps JavaScript API into your React application. It comes with a collection of React components to create maps, markers and infowindows, and a set of hooks to use some of the Maps JavaScript API Services and Libraries.

Installation

This library is available on npm as @vis.gl/react-google-maps.

npm install @vis.gl/react-google-maps

or

yarn add @vis.gl/react-google-maps

(PowerShell users: since @ has a special meaning in PowerShell, the package name has to be quoted)

Usage

Import the APIProvider and wrap it around all components that should have access to the Maps JavaScript API. Any component within the context of the APIProvider can use the hooks and components provided by this library.

To render a simple map, add a Map component inside the APIProvider. Within the Map component, you can then add further components like Marker, AdvancedMarker, or InfoWindow to render content on the map.

For more advanced use-cases you can even add your own components to the map that make use of google.maps.OverlayView or google.maps.WebGlOverlayView.

import {AdvancedMarker, APIProvider, Map} from '@vis.gl/react-google-maps';

function App() {
  const position = {lat: 53.54992, lng: 10.00678};

  return (
    <APIProvider apiKey={'YOUR API KEY HERE'}>
      <Map defaultCenter={position} defaultZoom={10} mapId="DEMO_MAP_ID">
        <AdvancedMarker position={position} />
      </Map>
    </APIProvider>
  );
}

export default App;

Please see our documentation or examples for more in-depth information about this library.

Using other libraries of the Maps JavaScript API

Besides rendering maps, the Maps JavaScript API has a lot of additional libraries for things like geocoding, routing, the Places API, Street View, and a lot more.

These libraries are not loaded by default, which is why this module provides the useMapsLibrary() hook to handle dynamic loading of additional libraries.

For example, if you just want to use the google.maps.geocoding.Geocoder class in a component and you don't even need a map, it can be implemented like this:

import {useMap, useMapsLibrary} from '@vis.gl/react-google-maps';

const MyComponent = () => {
  // useMapsLibrary loads the geocoding library, it might initially return `null`
  // if the library hasn't been loaded. Once loaded, it will return the library
  // object as it would be returned by `await google.maps.importLibrary()`
  const geocodingLib = useMapsLibrary('geocoding');
  const geocoder = useMemo(
    () => geocodingLib && new geocodingLib.Geocoder(),
    [geocodingLib]
  );

  useEffect(() => {
    if (!geocoder) return;

    // now you can use `geocoder.geocode(...)` here
  }, [geocoder]);

  return <></>;
};

const App = () => {
  return (
    <APIProvider apiKey={'YOUR API KEY HERE'}>
      <MyComponent />
    </APIProvider>
  );
};

Examples

Explore our examples directory on GitHub or the examples on our website for full implementation examples.

Supported Browsers

Being a library built around the Google Maps JavaScript API, we follow the same browser-support policy as the Google Maps Team, available here. Generally, the last two versions of the major browsers are officially supported.

It is not unlikely that browsers even far outside the given range will still work. We try our best to support as many browsers and versions as reasonably possible, but we won't actively investigate issues related to outdated browser versions.

However, if you can suggest small changes that could be made to even increase that range, we will be happy to include them, as long as they don't negatively affect the supported browsers.

Terms of Service

@vis.gl/react-google-maps uses Google Maps Platform services. Use of Google Maps Platform services through this library is subject to the Google Maps Platform Terms of Service.

This library is not a Google Maps Platform Core Service. Therefore, the Google Maps Platform Terms of Service (e.g., Technical Support Services, Service Level Agreements, and Deprecation Policy) do not apply to this library.

Help and Support

This library is offered via an open source license. It is not governed by the Google Maps Platform Technical Support Services Guidelines, the SLA, or the Deprecation Policy (however, any Google Maps Platform services used by this library remain subject to the Google Maps Platform Terms of Service).

If you find a bug or have a feature request, please file an issue on GitHub. If you would like to get answers to technical questions from other Google Maps Platform developers, feel free to open a thread in the discussions section on GitHub or ask a question through one of our developer community channels.

If you'd like to contribute, please check the Contributing guide.

You can also discuss this library on our Discord server.