daylightmap.org

What It Is

Daylight Map Distribution is a global open map data distribution backed by Facebook. Its core goal is to take community-contributed data such as OpenStreetMap, combine it with quality and consistency checks from professional mapping teams, and package it into free, stable, street-level global map data. It is not a traditional online API platform; it is better understood as a data distribution channel for developers and GIS teams.

Core Capabilities

Functionally, Daylight provides complete Planet files, with optional datasets such as administrative boundaries, building footprints, coastlines, machine-learning-detected roads, translation TSV files, and JSON files for important map features. The Planet files are in OSM PBF format, and the documentation notes that they can be imported into PostgreSQL with osm2pgsql for map rendering or querying. Its main value lies in reviewing public OSM changes and allowing only validated, non-vandalized data into the distribution, improving the consistency and reliability required by commercial map products.

Openness, Integration, and Documentation

Openness is one of Daylight’s strengths. The site clearly states that the Planet files are made up of 100% OSM data and are governed by the Open Database License. The project also commits to being permanently free, with no proprietary data extensions, while supporting upstream open licensing. In terms of ecosystem, it is compatible with common OSM toolchains, supports standard formats such as PBF, and is connected with data sources such as Esri ArcGIS’s OpenStreetMap Daylight map, Microsoft building footprints, and Facebook/Grab machine-learning roads. The documentation covers downloads, attribution, release history, and basic import methods, but there is no visible API, SDK, field schema, sample queries, or complete production deployment guide.

Pricing and Support

Pricing is very clear: it is free forever. Payment methods are not relevant. Support channels include the #daylightdistro_feedback channel on OSM US Slack and the [email protected] email address, but the site does not show an SLA, ticketing system, or enterprise support tiers. It is also worth noting that the update list includes an item titled “Sunsetting Daylight,” so its long-term maintenance strategy should be verified before adoption.

Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For

The advantages are that it is free and open, offers global coverage, has transparent versioning, uses common formats, and adds quality screening on top of raw OSM data. The drawbacks are that the datasets are large, users need to build their own storage and processing pipelines, the barrier to entry is relatively high for non-GIS teams, and there is no hosted API. It is suitable for map platforms, location-based services, GIS analysis, research institutions, and teams that need to build their own global basemap.

Access from China

The documentation does not mention access from mainland China. In practice, downloading large files may be affected by network connectivity. If access or downloads are unstable, alternative data sources such as the original OpenStreetMap Planet, Geofabrik extracts, or Overture Maps may be worth evaluating.