Web maps

Leaflet or OpenLayers?

or ESRI's proprietary API (well I said "proprietary" so that leaves me out)

or MapZen.js (a version of Leaflet)

or

I have the most experience with OpenLayers and I know it can do what I need it to (edits) so after playing with Leaflet (well mapzen.js actually) all day I am shelving it and going back to OpenLayers.

I just want my projects to move ahead, don't want to play with something gee-whiz cool right now.

Services

What is *, and why would I want to use it?

Curiously it can be difficult to ascertain what these companies actually DO.

Carto

Not sure yet why they exist or what they do. They send me email from time to time.

Free and then expensive once you hit the limit.

MapBox

Provides some totally unusable tile sets that are dark and gloomy.

I think they want you to build your own tile sets and host them there. Provides a way to build tiles I guess.

Free and then expensive once you hit the limit.

Mapzen

Provides a version of Leaflet extended to add their own object.

Demo in "Getting Started" does not work. I was able to get it to display a generic OSM map, not very exciting. I have yet to see any of their tiles

Provider of several services including

• geocoding
• routing
• vector tiles
• 3D rendering engine which seems... of dubious value to me...

Free at this time, until you hit some invisible unstated limit I guess.

Base map data

Googlemaps

You can use Googlemaps as a base layer in your project until you hit some magic invisible limit and then you have to give them money. Personally I am not a big fan of them and don't have it working with Leaflet yet.}

OpenStreetMap

Mentioned here because it is the underpinning of most all the commercial services I have listed. You can simply use their service directly and it will you cost nothing.

Just one tile style available.

Free always.