GeoDesk
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Linux, Mac, Windows
Summary
GeoDesk is a spatial database engine for working with OpenStreetMap data on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It stores OSM features, geometries, and relations in single-file Geographic Object Libraries (GOLs), which can be built from OSM-PBF files with its command-line tool. GeoDesk says these files are typically about 40 percent larger than OSM-PBF data but occupy a small fraction of the space used by a traditional database. It reports that common spatial queries run 50 times faster than their SQL equivalents. GOQL, its query syntax, organizes searches around feature types and tags. A GOL can also be converted into a compressed tile repository for downloading selected regions. Developers can use tools and guides for Java, Python, and C++, plus documented integrations with Java Topology Suite and Python Shapely for vector operations. Python mapping features can show queried data in a browser or save a Leaflet-based map as HTML. GeoDesk is free and open-source; its site links to documentation, tutorials, repositories, and API references.
Who it is for
GeoDesk suits developers building applications or conducting geospatial analysis with OpenStreetMap data. It offers options for Java, Python, and C++ users, as well as a command-line tool.
What is good
- Free and open-source.
- Stores OSM geometries and relations in GOL files.
- GOQL queries use feature types and tags.
- GOLs can be converted to regional tile repositories.
- Python mapping can save Leaflet maps as HTML.
What to know first
- Python quickstart requires Python 3.7 or higher.
- Building the C++ library requires C++20 and CMake 3.14 or later.
Verdict
GeoDesk combines an OSM-focused data format, query language, and developer tooling in a free package. Check its language requirements and supported development options against your project before choosing it.
GeoDesk plans and pricing
All plansCompared on spatial databases
- Free plan
- Yesgeodesk.com
- Deployment model
- self_hostedgeodesk.com
- Spatial data types
- point, linestring, linearring, polygon, multipoint, multilinestring, multipolygon, geometry collectiongeodesk.com
- 3D geometry support
- Nogeodesk.com
- Coordinate transforms
- Yesgeodesk.com
Facts
- Purpose
- GeoDesk is a spatial database engine for OpenStreetMap features.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Storage
- Geographic Object Libraries are single files typically about 40 percent larger than OSM-PBF data and a small fraction of a traditional database’s footprint.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Query speed
- The most common spatial queries perform fifty times faster than their SQL equivalents, according to GeoDesk.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- OSM model
- GOLs store geometries and support OpenStreetMap concepts such as relations.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Regional data
- A GOL can be turned into a compressed tile repository so users can download only the regions they need.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Query language
- GeoDesk provides GOQL, a concise query syntax based on feature types and tags and similar to MapCSS.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Geometry integrations
- GeoDesk documents integration with Java Topology Suite and Python Shapely for vector operations including buffers, unions, and triangulation.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Languages
- GeoDesk provides tooling and developer guides for Java, Python, and C++, plus a GOL command-line utility.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Python requirement
- The Python quickstart says Python 3.7 or higher is required.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Hardware
- GeoDesk says it performs well on systems that can run 64-bit Java or Python.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Mapping
- The Python Map feature creates Leaflet-based web maps that can be saved as HTML or shown in a browser.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Audience
- GeoDesk describes its intended use as building fast applications and performing geospatial analysis with OpenStreetMap data.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The official site links to documentation, tutorials, GitHub repositories, and API references for its tools and language libraries.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Maker
- GeoDesk describes its maker as an independent team of developers interested in cartography and geospatial topics.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Affiliation
- GeoDesk says it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenStreetMap.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Data format
- GeoDesk stores OSM data in single-file Geographic Object Libraries (GOLs).docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Query performance
- GeoDesk says its queries are typically 50 times faster than SQL queries.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- OSM support
- GOLs store shapes and support OpenStreetMap concepts including relations.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Data import
- The GOL tool builds libraries from OpenStreetMap PBF files.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Developer libraries
- GeoDesk provides Python, Java and C++ options alongside its command-line GOL tool.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- GeoDesk documents integration with Java Topology Suite and Python Shapely for vector operations.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Visualization
- GeoDesk for Python can display queried features on a map that opens in a browser.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Platform support
- The C++ toolkit documentation lists 64-bit Windows, Linux and macOS support.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Build requirements
- Building the C++ library requires a C++20-capable compiler and CMake 3.14 or later.docs.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Maker details
- The About page does not state the maker’s headquarters or founding year.geodesk.com · 30 Sept 2026
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Sources
- geodesk.com· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.geodesk.com/why-geodesk· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.geodesk.com/goql· checked 30 Sept 2026
- geodesk.com/download· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.geodesk.com/python/quickstart· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.geodesk.com/python/Map· checked 30 Sept 2026
- geodesk.com/about· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.geodesk.com/gol/build· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.geodesk.com/cpp/basics· checked 30 Sept 2026