kepler.gl
Open-source web tool and React component for visualizing large geolocation datasets on maps.
- Stars
- 12.1k
- Forks
- 2k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- TypeScript
- Last update
- 4 days ago
- Type
- Library
What it is
Kepler.gl is a browser-based application for exploring large geographic datasets on interactive maps. It is also a React component that developers can embed into their own apps, with state managed by Redux. According to the README, it can render millions of points and perform spatial aggregations on the fly.
- Embed an interactive map explorer inside a React application
- Render large point or trip datasets on a map in the browser
- Run spatial aggregations on geographic data as you explore it
- Use the precompiled UMD build in a plain HTML page without a bundler
Great for
- Developers who want to add map-based data exploration to a React and Redux app
- Analysts who need to explore large location datasets visually in the browser
- Teams that already use MapLibre or Mapbox basemaps
Not ideal for
- People who need a no-code tool with no setup: the README focuses on npm installs and embedding, and the hosted demo is the easiest path for non-developers
- Projects that cannot use Node 20 or newer, since the README says older versions are not supported or tested
- Projects needing a stable release: the latest release listed is an alpha (v3.3.0-alpha.19)
How to get it
- 1
Install with a package manager
You'll need: Node.js 20 or newer LTS
Install kepler.gl modules
npm install --save @kepler.gl/components maplibre-gl - 2
Run it
- Install the kepler.gl components and maplibre-gl with npm or yarn
- Import the MapLibre stylesheet once in your application entry point
- Create a Redux store and mount the kepler.gl reducer under keplerGl
- Render the KeplerGl component with an id, width, and height
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Use the examples folder in the repository, which the README says can be installed and run locally
- Read the documentation at docs.kepler.gl for embedding details and the full props list
- Set mapboxApiAccessToken if you use Mapbox-hosted basemaps
- Use the id prop when running multiple instances so each maps to its own state path
Downloads
Strengths
- Built on MapLibre GL and deck.gl, which the README says support high-performance rendering
- Can be embedded as a React component and is described as highly customizable
- Released under the MIT license
Trade-offs
- The latest release is an alpha version, so APIs may change
- Setup requires familiarity with npm, React, and Redux for embedding
- Default basemaps depend on MapLibre or Mapbox configuration, which the README explains only briefly
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| kepler.gl (this) | 12.1k | Library | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers who want to add map-based data exploration to a React and Redux app |
| visx | 21.1k | Library | intermediate | 5 months ago | React developers who want full control over how a chart looks and behaves |
| plotly.js | 18.4k | Library | beginner | 8 days ago | Web developers who want interactive charts in their own site or app |
| deck.gl | 14.7k | Library | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers building interactive maps or geospatial dashboards over large data sets |
| G6 | 12.4k | Library | intermediate | 10 days ago | Frontend developers building interactive network or relationship diagrams in a web app |
| plotly.py | 18.9k | Library | beginner | 5 days ago | Python users who want hoverable, zoomable charts without writing JavaScript |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.