Mapbox API

Mapbox API provides highly customizable vector maps, geocoding, routing, navigation, satellite imagery — more customizable and cheaper than Google Maps.

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Use it when

Mapbox Studio fully customizable map styles (colors, fonts, layer selection)

Watch for

POI data not as complete as Google

First check

Sign up at mapbox.com for access token. JS: const map = new mapboxgl.Map({container: "map", style: "mapbox://styles/mapbox/streets-v12", accessToken: "..."})

Auth

api_key

CORS

HTTPS

Yes

Signup

Latency

508 ms

Protocol

REST

Pricing

freemium

Uptime · 30-day window

Probes: 1Uptime: 100%Avg latency: 508ms

About this API

Mapbox is an American location platform company founded 2010, a mainstream map alternative outside Google Maps / Apple Maps. Differentiator is "thorough customization" — Google Maps offers limited styles; Mapbox Studio lets you customize maps like PS editing layers: road colors, fonts, which POI categories show, add your own data layers, etc. Technically uses vector map rendering (unlike traditional bitmap tiles, re-renders on every zoom), excellent performance and aliased-free. Community version (Mapbox GL JS) open-source, free to download. Commercial products include Mapbox Studio + map services + Navigation SDK + Search API. Customers include Strava (running route display), Instacart (delivery), Foursquare (POI), Snap (location stickers). Mainland China map data is limited (cannot use mainland-China data); apps in China generally use Amap / Baidu.

What you can build

1In-app maps (food delivery, ride-hail, cycling apps)
2Data visualization maps (COVID maps, election maps)
3E-commerce delivery address display
4Navigation apps

Strengths & limitations

Strengths

Mapbox Studio fully customizable map styles (colors, fonts, layer selection)
Vector map rendering fast and aliased-free
Generous free tier (50k views/month)
WebGL/React Native excellent

Limitations

POI data not as complete as Google
Limited data in mainland China
Complex business features (route optimization) less complete than Google Routes

Example request

Generic template — replace <endpoint> with the real path from the docs.

curl https://www.mapbox.com/<endpoint> \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY"
# Some providers use X-Api-Key instead — verify in the docs.

Getting started

Sign up at mapbox.com for access token. JS: const map = new mapboxgl.Map({container: "map", style: "mapbox://styles/mapbox/streets-v12", accessToken: "..."})

FAQ

Mapbox vs. Google Maps?+

Need deep UI customization / want to save money: Mapbox. Need most complete POI / routing data: Google.

Does it work in mainland China?+

API globally available but mainland China map data is restricted. Local apps use Amap / Baidu / TomTom China version.

Technical details

CORS: ?HTTPS: YesSignup: ?Open source: No

Auth type: api_key
Pricing: freemium
Rate limit: 免费 50k mapviews/月；超额按使用付
Protocols: REST
SDKs: javascript, ios, android, react-native, unity
Response time: 508 ms
Last health check: 5/12/2026, 7:37:48 AM