GeoMoose vs TerriaJS
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted maps & gis options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | GeoMoose | TerriaJS |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 69 · Good | 80 · Excellent |
| Category | Maps & GIS | Maps & GIS |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 64 | ★ 1,365 |
| First released | 2009 | 2015 |
| Replaces | ArcGIS Online | ArcGIS Online, Esri Hub |
What are GeoMoose and TerriaJS?
GeoMoose
GeoMoose is an open-source web mapping framework for building geographic applications with layered data and query tools. It is widely used by local governments for parcel and infrastructure maps.
- Layered map applications
- Spatial query tools
- Parcel mapping support
- Lightweight framework
TerriaJS
TerriaJS is an open-source library for building rich, web-based geospatial data explorers and catalogs. It powers national data portals with 2D and 3D map visualization.
- 2D and 3D map views
- Data catalog explorer
- Many format support
- Self-hosted portals
GeoMoose vs TerriaJS: key differences
GeoMoose is written in JavaScript, while TerriaJS is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — MIT for GeoMoose versus Apache-2.0 for TerriaJS. GeoMoose is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for TerriaJS. GeoMoose is the more established project (first released 2009), while TerriaJS arrived in 2015. TerriaJS has the considerably larger community, at 1,365 GitHub stars versus 64. TerriaJS lists first-class Docker deployment; GeoMoose does not.
Why pick each one
Choose GeoMoose if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Written in JavaScript
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Choose TerriaJS if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.4k GitHub stars)
- Written in TypeScript
Frequently asked questions
Is GeoMoose or TerriaJS better?
Neither is universally better. TerriaJS has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are GeoMoose and TerriaJS free and open-source?
Yes. GeoMoose is licensed under MIT and TerriaJS under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run GeoMoose and TerriaJS with Docker?
GeoMoose: check the project docs for container support. TerriaJS: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, GeoMoose or TerriaJS?
GeoMoose has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for TerriaJS. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.