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GeoDesk

Free#4 of 39 in Spatial Databases

GeoDesk: A focused, developer-oriented spatial engine for querying OpenStreetMap data locally. Ranked #4 of 39 in Spatial Databases by our editors (8.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for openStreetMap-based spatial applications.

8.7/10Editor score

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GeoDesk8.7 Visit GeoDesk

At a glance

Editor score
8.7 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
OpenStreetMap-based spatial applications
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Deployment model
Self_hosted
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

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

Our verdict on GeoDesk

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 spatial queries. Developers can build and query these libraries with the gol command-line utility or use Python, Java, and C++ libraries. The product runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and through an API, with support for points, linestrings, linearrings, polygons, multipoint, multilinestring, multipolygon, and geometry collection data.

The published offering is free and open source, with a self-hosted deployment model rather than a hosted service. Setup centers on creating Geographic Object Libraries from OpenStreetMap PBF data, then querying those local files. GOQL provides a MapCSS-like approach based on feature types, tags, bounding boxes, and spatial relationships. Interactive query mode and browser-based map visualization can help developers inspect results, while output options include GeoJSON, WKT, CSV, XML, PBF, and other formats. Coordinate conversion between WGS-84 and Mercator projections is also supported.

GeoDesk’s strongest fit is a focused OpenStreetMap workflow that needs local spatial querying and developer control. Geometry operations extend through Shapely and the Java Topology Suite, and the available libraries support several programming environments. That focus is also the main boundary: teams needing raster processing, 3D support, or a broader spatial database for sources beyond OpenStreetMap should choose an alternative. GeoDesk is a sensible choice for applications built around OpenStreetMap PBF data, especially when open-source deployment and multiple output formats matter.

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GeoDesk pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on geodesk.com

GeoDesk fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Deployment model	Self_hosted
Query interface	Not verified
Spatial data types	point, linestring, linearring, polygon, multipoint, multilinestring, multipolygon, geometry collection
Raster support	Not verified
3D geometry support	No
Coordinate transforms	Yes
Deployment	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations	2 integrations: Shapely, Java Topology Suite
Pricing	Free plan
Website	geodesk.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

GeoDesk integrations

GeoDesk lists 2 integrations on its own site.

Shapely
Java Topology Suite

Alternatives to GeoDesk

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GeoDesk vs the competition

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used GeoDesk for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

GeoDesk is listed in our Spatial Databases directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update