Open source and free software web mapping applications

Leaflet - the easy one

http://leafletjs.com

../_images/leaflet.png

Pros:

  • Fast to start with
  • Easy
  • Can handle big data
  • Loads of plugins
  • Small

Cons:

  • Made from the point of view of web developer
  • GIS stuff complicated (support for various CRSs, data formats, …)

OpenLayers - GIS in JavaScript

http://openlayers.org

../_images/openlayers.png

Pros:

  • Almighty
  • Real GIS library
  • Support for every GIS related problem

Cons:

  • Big
  • Complicated to start with
  • Google Closure dependent (getting rid of)