GeoFastMap API
open-source Fast vector and raster server for mapmakers
Last verified:
What is GeoFastMap API?
GeoFastMap API is an open-source OGC API – Features and Tiles implementation designed as a fast vector and raster server for mapmakers. It combines cutting-edge geospatial technology into a single Docker Compose setup, enabling users to browse feature collections and items in GeoJSON format, view and edit data on maps, and use both static and dynamic vector tiles per collection.
The tool is built with Async FastAPI and asyncpg for speed, utilizing keyset pagination for efficient data retrieval. It implements the full OGC API – Features standard along with OGC API – Tiles, OGC API – Styles, and OGC API – Processes, providing a comprehensive geospatial API surface. The server is optimized for serving vector tiles via a global content delivery network, reducing bandwidth consumption by 50-80% compared to traditional raster tile services.
Key features include support for Mapbox Vector Tile (MVT) specification, client-side rendering for smooth continuous zooming, JSON-based style specification for instant style changes without server reprocessing, and direct feature interactivity for highlighting and querying individual map features. The API supports filtering via bbox, property filters, CQL expressions, and returns GeoJSON FeatureCollections.
GeoFastMap API is designed for development teams building customer-facing or internal web applications with interactive mapping needs, marketing and business intelligence professionals who need branded location visualizations, retail teams visualizing customer density and territories, utilities companies for field engineer dispatch portals, and anyone requiring fast, stylable web maps without building their own tile server stack.
GeoFastMap API pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
GeoFastMap API is open-source and free to use. The code is available on GitHub under MIT license. Users can self-host the solution using Docker Compose with no licensing fees. The free tier includes 50,000 monthly tile loads for prototyping and small internal tools when using managed hosting options. First paid tier starts at approximately $99/month for 500,000 requests, with higher tiers at $299/month for 2 million requests. Additional charges apply for high-resolution terrain data, historical map tiles, or premium traffic data.
GeoFastMap API pros
- Open-source with GitHub code available
- Fast async architecture with FastAPI and asyncpg
- OGC API – Features standard compliance
- OGC API – Tiles support for vector tiles
- OGC API – Styles support
- OGC API – Processes support
- Keyset pagination for efficient data retrieval
- 50-80% lower bandwidth than raster tiles
- Smooth continuous zooming without blurry intermediates
- Instant client-side style changes without server reprocessing
- Global CDN delivery for low latency
- Mapbox Vector Tile (MVT) specification compatibility
- Direct feature interactivity for highlighting and querying
- Docker Compose setup for easy deployment
- Compatible with MapLibre GL JS and deck.gl
- GeoJSON output for feature collections
- CQL expression filtering support
- Property-based filtering capabilities
- Bbox filtering for spatial queries
- Works with PostGIS databases
GeoFastMap API cons
- Learning curve for custom style JSON configuration
- Requires PostGIS database backend
- Limited support for non-standard map projections
- Complex label placement rules may be restrictive
- Fewer third-party plugins than Google Maps Platform
- Global CDN may not comply with strict data residency rules
- Not ideal for simple static map embeds
- Some rare symbol sets may not be supported
- Requires external geocoding and routing services
- Highly specialized cartography needs may require custom solution
Frequently asked questions about GeoFastMap API
What is GeoFastMap API?
GeoFastMap API is an open-source OGC API – Features and Tiles implementation focused on speed, serving as a fast vector and raster server for mapmakers. It unifies cutting-edge geospatial technology into a single Docker Compose setup, enabling browsing of feature collections in GeoJSON, map viewing and editing, and vector tile usage per collection.
Is GeoFastMap API free?
Yes, GeoFastMap API is open-source and free to use. The code is available on GitHub under the MIT license. Users can self-host the solution using Docker Compose with no licensing fees. When using managed hosting options, there is a free tier with 50,000 monthly tile loads for prototyping and small internal tools.
What databases does GeoFastMap API support?
GeoFastMap API requires PostGIS >= 2.4.0 as its database backend. It is written in Python using the FastAPI web framework and uses asyncpg for async database connections to PostGIS-enabled databases.
What OGC standards does GeoFastMap API support?
GeoFastMap API implements OGC API – Features for browsing feature collections and items, OGC API – Tiles for vector tiles (static and dynamic), OGC API – Styles for map styling, and OGC API – Processes for geospatial processes. This provides comprehensive OGC standard compliance.
How does GeoFastMap API achieve fast performance?
GeoFastMap API achieves speed through Async FastAPI for async web handling, asyncpg for async PostgreSQL/PostGIS connections, and keyset pagination for efficient data retrieval. The server serves vector tiles via a global CDN, with average Time to First Tile of 85ms and complete render averaging 1.2 seconds.
What is the difference between vector tiles and raster tiles?
Vector tiles send raw geographical data (coordinates and attributes) to the browser for client-side rendering, while raster tiles send pre-rendered image pixels. Vector tiles reduce bandwidth by 50-80%, enable smooth continuous zooming without blurry intermediates, allow instant style changes without server reprocessing, and provide direct feature interactivity.
Can I customize map styles in GeoFastMap API?
Yes, GeoFastMap API uses JSON-based style specification following the Mapbox GL style specification. You can modify colors, line widths, opacity, font properties for each zoom level, and even change styles dynamically via the API for themes like light mode or dark mode. A web-based style editor is also available for visual style adjustments.
What filtering options are available for queries?
GeoFastMap API supports bbox filtering for spatial queries, property filters (multiple filters are ANDed together), CQL expression filtering for complex queries, properties parameter to return only specific fields, sortby for sorting, limit for pagination, offset for offset-based pagination, and SRID specification (default 4326).
Which JavaScript libraries are compatible with GeoFastMap API?
GeoFastMap API uses the Mapbox Vector Tile (MVT) specification, an open standard ensuring compatibility with MapLibre GL JS, deck.gl, and other tools that support MVT. The API provides clear documentation and copy-paste examples for integration with these libraries.
Who should use GeoFastMap API?
GeoFastMap API is ideal for development teams building customer-facing or internal web applications with interactive mapping needs, marketing and business intelligence professionals needing branded location visualizations, retail teams visualizing customer density and territories, utilities companies for field engineer dispatch portals, and any organization prioritizing modern user experience, design flexibility, and development efficiency without building their own tile server infrastructure.