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Overview

Welcome to GLOBUS – the offline-first mapping SDK that powers Guru Maps, trusted by millions of users worldwide. If you're building iOS or Android apps that need fast, customizable, truly offline maps, you're in the right place.

Why GLOBUS?​

GLOBUS is built for developers who need production-ready offline mapping without compromising on performance or customization. Unlike cloud-dependent solutions, your users get full map functionality even without connectivity.

At a Glance​

FeatureGLOBUSMapboxGoogle Maps
Offline Maps✅ Full offline support⚠️ Limited offline⚠️ Limited offline
Custom Styling✅ MapCSS (full control)✅ JSON styles⚠️ Limited
Offline Routing✅ Valhalla-powered⚠️ Online only⚠️ Online only
Offline Search✅ Full offline⚠️ Limited❌ Online only
Performance60 FPS on old devicesGoodGood
Data Privacy✅ 100% on-device⚠️ Cloud-based⚠️ Cloud-based
PlatformsiOS, AndroidiOS, Android, WebiOS, Android, Web

Core Components​

GLOBUS consists of three powerful SDKs that work together seamlessly:

GLMap – Rendering Engine​

The heart of GLOBUS. A blazing-fast, offline-first map renderer with complete styling control.

Key Features:

  • ⚡ Optimized Vector Tiles – Binary format designed for minimal size and maximum rendering speed
  • 🎨 Full MapCSS Support – Customize every aspect of your map: colors, icons, labels, visibility by zoom level
  • 🚀 GPU-Accelerated Rendering – 60 FPS on devices dating back to iPhone 6s using Metal (iOS) and OpenGL ES (Android)
  • 🌐 Global Language Support – Renders text in any language using Harfbuzz text shaping
  • 📍 Offline + Online Hybrid – Seamlessly switch between cached tiles and live data sources
  • 🎯 Markers & Overlays – Display custom markers with clustering, polygons, polylines, GeoJSON

GLSearch – Offline Search​

Powerful search capabilities that work completely offline. No API calls, no latency, no privacy concerns.

What You Can Search:

  • 📮 Address Search – Find any street address from offline data
  • 🏢 POI Search – Search by business type, amenities, and categories
  • 🗺️ Administrative Boundaries – Search cities, regions, countries
  • 🔄 Reverse Geocoding – Convert coordinates to human-readable addresses
  • ⚡ Instant Results – All searches run locally on-device

GLRoute – Navigation Engine​

Turn-by-turn navigation powered by Valhalla, the same open-source routing engine used by major mapping platforms.

Navigation Features:

  • 🧭 Turn-by-Turn Guidance – Complete maneuver-by-maneuver instructions
  • 🛣️ Lane Guidance – Show users which lanes to use at complex intersections (v1.11.0+)
  • 📴 Fully Offline – Calculate routes without internet connectivity
  • 🔄 Alternative Routes – Offer multiple route options
  • ⚙️ Route Customization – Avoid highways, prefer shortest/fastest, accessibility options
  • 📊 Rich Route Data – Distance, duration, elevation profiles

Quick Start​

Get a map on screen in under 5 minutes:

Get your free API key at user.globus.software.

Swift:

import GLMap
import GLMapSwift

// In AppDelegate
GLMapManager.activate(apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY")

// In your view controller
let mapView = GLMapView(frame: view.bounds)
view.addSubview(mapView)

// Set map position
mapView.mapGeoCenter = GLMapGeoPoint(lat: 37.7749, lon: -122.4194) // San Francisco
mapView.mapZoomLevel = 12

Kotlin:

// In Application.onCreate()
GLMapManager.Initialize(this, "YOUR_API_KEY", null)

// In your Activity
val mapView = findViewById<GLMapView>(R.id.map_view)

// Set map position
mapView.renderer.setMapGeoCenter(MapGeoPoint(37.7749, -122.4194)) // San Francisco
mapView.renderer.mapZoom = 12f

Get Started →

See It In Action​

Explore our comprehensive demo apps with 25+ examples:

Who Uses GLOBUS?​

GLOBUS powers navigation and mapping features in apps across industries:

  • 📱 Guru Maps – Offline maps for travelers, hikers, and adventurers
  • 🚗 Fleet Management – Vehicle tracking with offline map support
  • 🏗️ Field Services – On-site navigation for technicians and inspectors
  • 🚴 Outdoor Recreation – Hiking, biking, and adventure apps
  • 🚛 Logistics – Route optimization and delivery tracking

Ready to Build?​

Whether you're building a navigation app, field service tool, or location-based service, GLOBUS gives you the performance and flexibility you need.

Next Steps:

  1. Get Started – Install the SDK and display your first map
  2. Your First Map Tutorial – Step-by-step guide
  3. Explore API Reference – Dive into the full API
  4. Demo Apps – See complete working examples

Questions? Need help? Contact us at [email protected]