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Head-to-head · Spatial Databases

GeoDesk vs Tile38

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score GeoDesk #4 in Spatial Databases 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit GeoDesk
Tile38 #5 in Spatial Databases 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Tile38

GeoDesk leads on 1 check, Tile38 on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGeoDesk · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth

GeoDesk scores higher on our rubric for spatial databases: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Tile38 offers 3d geometry support; GeoDesk doesn't. GeoDesk offers coordinate transforms; Tile38 doesn't.

GeoDesk is the better fit for openStreetMap-based spatial applications. Tile38 is the better fit for real-time geofencing and location services.

  • GeoDesk fits best

    OpenStreetMap-based spatial applications

  • Tile38 fits best

    Real-time geofencing and location services

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature GeoDesk 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Tile38 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #4 in Spatial Databases #5 in Spatial Databases
Best for OpenStreetMap-based spatial applications Real-time geofencing and location services
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs, Community Community, Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GeoDesk 1/3 · Tile38 1/3
Raster support Not checked yet Not checked yet
3D geometry support — ✓ (best)
Coordinate transforms ✓ (best) —
Specs
Deployment model Self_hosted Self_hosted
Query interface Not checked yet Not checked yet
Spatial data types point, linestring, linearring, polygon, multipoint, multilinestring, multipolygon, geometry collection point, bounding box, geohash, GeoJSON, XYZ tile, QuadKey, sector
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source engine for OpenStreetMap PBF data
  • GOQL supports tags, bounding boxes, and spatial relationships
  • Python, Java, and C++ libraries with broad output formats
  • Real-time geofencing with enter, exit, inside, outside, and cross detection
  • Supports GeoJSON, geohashes, bounding boxes, XYZ tiles, and QuadKeys
  • Connects with Kafka, NATS, MQTT, RabbitMQ, Redis, and other systems
Cons
  • Focused on OpenStreetMap PBF data rather than general spatial sources
  • No verified raster or 3D support
  • Uses GOQL rather than SQL or a document-query interface
  • Self-hosted deployment requires operational responsibility
  • Coordinate transformations are not included in its listed capabilities
  • Its in-memory design may not suit every persistence requirement
Our verdict

GeoDesk is an open-source spatial database engine for developers building geospatial applications and analyzing OpenStreetMap data. It stores OpenStreetMap features in Geographic Object Libraries, compact local database files designed for…

Read the review →

Tile38 is an open-source, in-memory geospatial database and geofencing server for applications that track locations and evaluate spatial relationships. It is aimed at teams building location services, proximity features, asset tracking,…

Read the review →
  1. GeoDeskSpatial Databases 8.7Free plan
  2. Tile38Spatial Databases 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GeoDesk — where it wins

    • Free, open-source engine for OpenStreetMap PBF data
    • GOQL supports tags, bounding boxes, and spatial relationships
    • Python, Java, and C++ libraries with broad output formats

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on OpenStreetMap PBF data rather than general spatial sources
    • No verified raster or 3D support
    • Uses GOQL rather than SQL or a document-query interface

  • Tile38 — where it wins

    • Real-time geofencing with enter, exit, inside, outside, and cross detection
    • Supports GeoJSON, geohashes, bounding boxes, XYZ tiles, and QuadKeys
    • Connects with Kafka, NATS, MQTT, RabbitMQ, Redis, and other systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires operational responsibility
    • Coordinate transformations are not included in its listed capabilities
    • Its in-memory design may not suit every persistence requirement

More comparisons

All spatial databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update