Pros of react-map-gl

• Built on Mapbox GL JS, offering high-performance vector maps and extensive customization options
• Supports WebGL rendering for smooth and efficient map interactions
• Provides a wide range of built-in components for common map features (markers, popups, etc.)

Cons of react-map-gl

• Requires a Mapbox access token, which may incur costs for high-usage applications
• Learning curve can be steeper due to the more complex API and additional features

Code Comparison

react-map-gl:

import Map from 'react-map-gl';

<Map
  mapboxAccessToken={MAPBOX_TOKEN}
  initialViewState={{
    longitude: -122.4,
    latitude: 37.8,
    zoom: 14
  }}
  style={{width: 600, height: 400}}
  mapStyle="mapbox://styles/mapbox/streets-v9"
/>

react-google-maps:

import { GoogleMap, LoadScript } from '@react-google-maps/api';

<LoadScript googleMapsApiKey={GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY}>
  <GoogleMap
    center={{ lat: 37.8, lng: -122.4 }}
    zoom={14}
    mapContainerStyle={{ width: '600px', height: '400px' }}
  />
</LoadScript>

Pros of google-maps-react

• Simpler API with fewer components, making it easier to get started
• Better documentation and examples for basic use cases
• Smaller package size, potentially leading to faster load times

Cons of google-maps-react

• Less flexibility and fewer advanced features compared to react-google-maps
• Not as actively maintained, with fewer recent updates
• Limited support for custom map styles and advanced Google Maps API features

Code Comparison

react-google-maps:

import { GoogleMap, Marker } from "react-google-maps"

<GoogleMap
  defaultZoom={8}
  defaultCenter={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }}
>
  <Marker position={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }} />
</GoogleMap>

google-maps-react:

import { Map, Marker, GoogleApiWrapper } from 'google-maps-react';

<Map
  google={this.props.google}
  zoom={8}
  initialCenter={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }}
>
  <Marker position={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }} />
</Map>

Both libraries provide similar basic functionality, but react-google-maps offers more advanced features and greater customization options. google-maps-react is simpler to use for basic map implementations but may be limiting for complex projects.

Pros of react-google-maps-api

• More actively maintained with frequent updates
• Better TypeScript support and type definitions
• Improved performance through optimized rendering

Cons of react-google-maps-api

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
• Some users report issues with documentation clarity
• Potentially more challenging migration from older versions

Code Comparison

react-google-maps:

import { GoogleMap, Marker } from "react-google-maps"

<GoogleMap
  defaultZoom={8}
  defaultCenter={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }}
>
  <Marker position={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }} />
</GoogleMap>

react-google-maps-api:

import { GoogleMap, Marker } from "@react-google-maps/api"

<GoogleMap
  mapContainerStyle={containerStyle}
  center={center}
  zoom={10}
>
  <Marker position={position} />
</GoogleMap>

The main differences in the code examples are:

1. Import statements differ slightly
2. react-google-maps-api uses mapContainerStyle prop instead of inline styles
3. react-google-maps-api separates center and zoom props, while react-google-maps uses defaultZoom and defaultCenter

Both libraries provide similar core functionality, but react-google-maps-api offers more modern features and better maintenance. However, it may require more effort to learn and implement, especially for developers familiar with the older react-google-maps library.

Pros of google-map-react

• Simpler API and easier to use for basic map implementations
• Better performance for rendering large numbers of markers
• More flexible for custom overlays and components

Cons of google-map-react

• Less comprehensive documentation compared to react-google-maps
• Fewer built-in components for advanced Google Maps features
• May require more custom code for complex map interactions

Code Comparison

react-google-maps:

import { GoogleMap, Marker } from "@react-google-maps/api";

<GoogleMap
  center={center}
  zoom={10}
>
  <Marker position={markerPosition} />
</GoogleMap>

google-map-react:

import GoogleMapReact from 'google-map-react';

<GoogleMapReact
  center={center}
  zoom={10}
>
  <Marker lat={markerPosition.lat} lng={markerPosition.lng} />
</GoogleMapReact>

Both libraries provide React components for integrating Google Maps, but google-map-react offers a more straightforward approach for basic map implementations. react-google-maps provides a wider range of built-in components for advanced features, while google-map-react excels in performance and flexibility for custom overlays. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of your project and the level of customization needed.

Pros of Pigeon Maps

• Lightweight and fast, with no external dependencies
• Fully customizable and open-source
• Supports multiple map providers (OpenStreetMap, Mapbox, etc.)

Cons of Pigeon Maps

• Less feature-rich compared to React Google Maps
• Smaller community and fewer resources available
• May require more manual implementation for advanced features

Code Comparison

React Google Maps:

import { GoogleMap, Marker } from "react-google-maps"

const MyMap = () => (
  <GoogleMap defaultZoom={8} defaultCenter={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }}>
    <Marker position={{ lat: -34.397, lng: 150.644 }} />
  </GoogleMap>
)

Pigeon Maps:

import { Map, Marker } from "pigeon-maps"

const MyMap = () => (
  <Map height={300} center={[-34.397, 150.644]} zoom={8}>
    <Marker anchor={[-34.397, 150.644]} />
  </Map>
)

Both libraries offer React components for creating maps, but Pigeon Maps uses a simpler API and doesn't require a Google Maps API key. React Google Maps provides more built-in features and integrations with Google's services, while Pigeon Maps offers more flexibility in terms of map providers and customization.