Basemaps are the foundational layer in any web map or geographic information system (GIS). They provide essential context for whatever data or theme you are trying to convey. Basemaps typically include features like roads, water bodies, and geographic boundaries, often supplemented with satellite or aerial imagery–all which we have previously discussed here: The Basics of Basemaps.
The table below details the providers we recommend most of often:
Basemap Provider Comparison
| Provider | Free Tier / Non-Commercial Use | Commercial Pricing (after free tier) | Custom Styling? |
| OpenStreetMap | Completely free for all usage, but requires attribution. No formal API or SLA from the OpenStreetMap Foundation. | None. Commercial services can be built on OpenStreetMap data, but you must either host your own tiles or use a third-party provider. | No, unless you host your own tiles or use a third-party service that allows for custom styling (e.g., Mapbox, Maptiler). |
| Mapbox | Generous free tier, including up to 50,000 map loads per month. | Pay-as-you-go with volume discounts. A standard paid tier might start at around $5.00 per 1,000 map loads after the free tier is exceeded. | Yes, this is a key feature. You can use Mapbox Studio to create completely custom map styles with extensive control over all visual elements. |
| ESRI ArcGIS | Esri provides several basemaps that are free to use with appropriate attribution and a Free Tier: You get a very generous free tier of 2,000,000 basemap tile requests before any charges apply | When using Esri’s standard basemaps (e.g., imagery, streets, topography), the pricing is structured on a pay-as-you-go model for specific usage, but they offer a large free tier. Paid Tier: Once you exceed the free tier, the cost is approximately $0.15 per 1,000 tiles. | Yes. While you can’t directly modify Esri’s pre-built basemaps, you can create custom basemap styles based on them using the ArcGIS Vector Tile Style Editor. |
| Maptiler | Free plan with a limited request quota (e.g., 5,000 API sessions and 100,000 API requests per month). A watermark is included. | Paid plans start at around $25/month for 25,000 API sessions and 500,000 requests. Higher-volume plans offer lower per-request costs. | Yes. Maptiler provides an online editor for designing and customizing basemaps. |
| HERE.com | Freemium plan with 250,000 transactions per month, shared across all HERE APIs (maps, routing, geocoding, etc.). | A “Pro” plan starts at $449/month for 1 million transactions. They offer custom enterprise plans for high usage. | Yes, HERE provides tools for customizing their basemap schemes and features. |
| Stadia Maps | Free for non-commercial use, with a generous limit of 200,000 credits per month. | Paid plans start at $20/month for 1,000,000 credits. The cost per credit decreases as you move to higher-volume plans. | Yes, many of their basemaps are open-source and can be restyled. |
| Google Maps (**only works in Google Platform APIs, not others like Leaflet or OpenLayers) | $200 monthly credit shared across all Google Maps APIs. This covers approximately 10,000 dynamic map loads. | Pay-as-you-go model. Dynamic map loads cost about $7.00 per 1,000 loads. Static maps are about $2.00 per 1,000 loads. | Yes, through the Google Maps Platform’s cloud-based styling editor, which lets you customize colors, fonts, and feature visibility. |
Other Providers: The Leaflet providers preview page demonstrates several more commercial options that require an API key to use. These include Thunderforest, Jawg Maps, and TomTom. Each of these providers has its own pricing model, typically starting with a free tier and moving to a pay-as-you-go or subscription model.
The choice of basemap is also tied to its underlying technology: modern vector tiles enable extensive on-the-fly custom styling and provide a smooth, high-resolution user experience, while traditional static (raster) tiles are simpler image files with limited styling options. Commercial providers typically charge based on a pay-as-you-go model (e.g., Google Maps), a credit system (Esri), or monthly subscriptions (Maptiler, HERE.com), but most also offer a generous free tier for developers to get started.
The choice of a basemap depends on your specific use case, budget, and technical needs. From free, open-source options like OpenStreetMap to premium services like Google Maps Platform, there’s a solution for every project. By understanding the features and pricing models of popular providers, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals.
BrilliantConnect and BrilliantMaps
LuminFire offers several products designed to bring maps and mapping interfaces into your existing solutions. BrilliantConnect works alongside your existing Claris FileMaker Pro solutions providing easy to use functions for geocoding, address validation, and rendering maps of all different types from simple point locations to dynamic maps based on found sets, project areas of interest, parcels, and more. BrilliantMaps leverages the power and flexibility of WordPress to make mapping your data easier and more powerful. It sets the foundation for creating fully responsive frontend custom maps that go beyond the limitations of existing free and premium plugins available today. Both of these products support a wide range of configurable basemap options. Here’s a short video demo of some of the many Basemap options available in BrilliantConnect’s Map functionality.
Basemaps are more than just a background layer; they’re the canvas that brings your spatial data to life. Invest wisely, and your maps will not only look great but also perform effectively. Happy mapping!
If you are looking for any assistance with maps, integrating GIS with your web or FileMaker solutions, LuminFire can help. Let’s talk.
