GeoLab vs PostGIS
GeoLab and PostGIS both expose SQL geometry operations, but they solve different system problems. GeoLab is a single-browser analysis workspace; PostGIS extends PostgreSQL for durable, indexed, transactional, and multi-user spatial data.
Compared against cited public documentation. Last reviewed August 26, 2026; product capabilities may change.
| Capability | GeoLab | PostGIS |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Open a browser application | Provision PostgreSQL and enable the PostGIS extension |
| Processing location | Current browser tab via DuckDB-WASM | PostgreSQL server process, local or remote |
| SQL first | Yes | Yes |
| Data loading | Choose local CSV or GeoJSON in the UI | Import or connect data through database tools, loaders, SQL, or data pipelines |
| Multi-source spatial queries | Yes, after local files become relations | Yes, across database tables and configured external data access |
| Spatial indexing | No exposed index creation or tuning workflow | GiST/SP-GiST and PostgreSQL query-planning workflows |
| Map output | Built-in interactive map | No built-in end-user map; typically consumed by GIS, applications, or APIs |
| Persistence and transactions | Session-only; no durable transactions | Durable PostgreSQL storage, transactions, backup, and recovery |
| Concurrency | One browser workspace | Multi-user database roles, connections, and concurrent transactions |
| Geometry updates | No editing/write-back workflow | Geometry and attributes can be inserted or updated with SQL; visual editing requires a client |
Use GeoLab when
- You need an ad hoc local analysis with no database provisioning.
- The source files should remain in one browser session and the result needs immediate visual inspection.
- Durability, access control, concurrent users, and service integration are outside the task.
Use PostGIS when
- The spatial data must be durable, indexed, backed up, and shared across users or services.
- Queries are part of an application backend, data platform, or repeatable production pipeline.
- You need database roles, transactions, constraints, materialized views, or operational monitoring.
Shared considerations
- SQL correctness still depends on compatible CRSs, valid geometry assumptions, and appropriate predicates.
- PostGIS does not itself provide a full map authoring UI; GeoLab does not provide database administration.
- Moving a GeoLab prototype to PostGIS requires an explicit import, schema, indexing, and operational design.
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.
- PostGIS manualOfficial geometry types, functions, indexes, and reference material.
- PostGIS introduction workshopOfficially maintained spatial SQL, indexing, projection, and database concepts.
- PostgreSQL psqlOfficial database client and server-oriented SQL workflow context.