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Tile38
What it is
Tile38 is a free, self-hosted geospatial database and geofencing server for location-based applications. Its spatial index supports Intersects, Within, Nearby, and static or roaming geofencing operations, with real-time notifications for a few points or millions. Supported objects include latitude and longitude points, bounding boxes, XYZ tiles, geohashes, GeoJSON, QuadKeys, and sectors. Tile38 supports 3D geometry but does not provide coordinate transforms. Applications can connect through HTTP, WebSockets, or telnet and receive JSON or RESP responses. Native Redis RESP compatibility allows many clients that support basic Redis commands to connect. Listed event integrations include NATS, Kafka, Amazon SQS, gRPC, Redis, RabbitMQ, MQTT, and HTTP/2. Client libraries are available for Go, Node.js, Python, TypeScript, Rust, Swift, and Java. Released under the MIT license, Tile38 offers Docker, Homebrew, Linux package, MacPorts, and pre-built binaries for OSX, Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows. Password protection is off by default, while Prometheus metrics are disabled by default.
For and against
For
- Free and MIT licensed
- Handles static and roaming geofencing
- Supports many spatial object types
- Offers broad event integrations
- Provides multiple installation methods
Against
- Self-hosted deployment requires management
- Coordinate transforms are not supported
- Authentication is off by default
- Prometheus metrics are disabled by default
The verdict
Tile38 provides an open-source spatial database with broad geometry, protocol, integration, and installation support. Its self-hosted model and default security settings mean implementers must handle deployment and configuration themselves.
Who it suits
Tile38 suits developers building location-aware services that need self-hosted spatial indexing, geofencing, and event notifications. It is relevant for teams using Redis-compatible clients or the listed language libraries.
Plans and prices
Tile38
100% open source software
Read 2 Oct 2026 · tile38.com
On the record
- Authentication
- The configuration guide says password protection is off by default and protected mode allows authenticated clients or connections from localhost by default.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Client libraries
- The documentation lists Tile38-specific client libraries for Go, Node.js, Python, TypeScript, Rust, Swift, and Java.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Data types
- Supported spatial object types include latitude/longitude points, bounding boxes, XYZ tiles, geohashes, and GeoJSON.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Event integrations
- The site lists built-in support for NATS, Kafka, Amazon SQS, gRPC, Redis, RabbitMQ, MQTT, and HTTP/2.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Geofencing
- It delivers real-time geofence notifications for a few data points or millions.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The installation guide provides Docker, Homebrew, Linux package, MacPorts, and pre-built release binary options.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Metrics
- Tile38 can export Prometheus metrics, and the metrics endpoint is disabled by default.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Tile38 is released under the MIT license.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Product
- Tile38 is a geospatial database and geofencing server for location-based applications.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- Tile38 documents HTTP, WebSockets, and telnet access, with responses in JSON or RESP depending on the protocol used.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Redis compatibility
- Tile38 uses the Redis RESP protocol natively, so most clients supporting basic Redis commands also work with it.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Spatial search
- Its spatial indexing engine supports Intersects, Within, Nearby, and static and roaming geofencing operations.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The site links to Stack Overflow and Slack for community participation.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Supported operating systems
- Pre-built release binaries are available for OSX, Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows.tile38.com · read 2 Oct 2026
