GeoLab vs kepler.gl
Both tools put an interactive geospatial experience in the browser. GeoLab centers the workflow on importing relations and writing DuckDB Spatial SQL; kepler.gl centers it on configuring visual layers, filters, interactions, and map state.
Compared against cited public documentation. Last reviewed August 26, 2026; product capabilities may change.
| Capability | GeoLab | kepler.gl |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | Browser application using DuckDB-WASM | Browser geospatial visualization application and embeddable React component |
| Primary interaction | SQL editor, query results, and map layers | Visual layer configuration, filters, interactions, and map controls |
| SQL first | Yes | No built-in general Spatial SQL workbench; applications can prepare data before passing it to kepler.gl |
| Multi-source Spatial SQL | Yes; local relations can be joined in DuckDB | Not a core kepler.gl capability |
| Local browser processing | Files and queries run in the current browser tab | Visualization state and loaded datasets are handled in the browser; host applications control their data pipeline |
| Visualization | Points, lines, polygons, multi-geometries, and collections with basic styling | Visualization-first layer types, filters, animation, interaction, and configurable map presentation |
| Feature editing | No | No general-purpose GIS geometry editing workflow |
| Persistence | Session-only | State can be exported or managed by the embedding application; kepler.gl is not itself a persistent geospatial database |
| Best fit | Ad hoc local Spatial SQL followed by map inspection | Rich interactive geospatial visualization and application embedding |
Use GeoLab when
- You need to filter, aggregate, or spatially join CSV and GeoJSON before mapping the result.
- The query text is part of the reproducible analysis artifact.
- The current input scope and basic layer controls are sufficient.
Use kepler.gl when
- The data is already prepared and the main task is interactive visualization.
- You need kepler.gl's layer catalog, filter controls, animation, or embedding APIs.
- A host application will own loading, transformation, persistence, and collaboration behavior.
Shared considerations
- Neither tool is a replacement for full feature editing in a desktop GIS.
- Browser memory and GPU resources affect practical dataset size and rendering behavior.
- Basemap and other external assets may still require network access even when user data is processed locally.
Sources and scope
These links document the product behavior summarized above. GeoLab-specific claims are limited to the current public v0.1.0 implementation.
- GeoLab README and sourceCurrent v0.1.0 inputs, execution model, interface, and limitations.
- kepler.gl user guidesOfficial datasets, layers, filters, interactions, and map controls.
- kepler.gl API referenceOfficial embedding and application-integration surface.
- kepler.gl repositoryProject scope, packages, examples, and license.