Mapbox
Mapbox is a best-in-class mapping service that power the mapping features in many well-known apps and websites, such as New York Times, Strava, Instacart, Booking.com and more.
Similar to the Google Maps API, it allows powerful mapping features for various use-cases, such as Closeby. One major difference is that Mapbox supports a wider variety of customization options and in our opinion, better looking maps.
Mapbox + Closeby Subscriptions
You may be wondering how this ties into Closeby.
Closeby requires users to connect their own Mapbox accounts in order to publicly use the maps they've designed on Closeby. This allows us to use the generous free tier that Mapbox offers every account (currently 50,000 map views/month) as well as simplifying any billing beyond the free tier to be managed independently of the Closeby account.
You can see more information on their pricing here under "Map Loads For Web".
In other words, Closeby users only need to pay their flat-rate monthly subscription on Closeby and usually don't have to pay anything more to Mapbox. If they are users with significant scale beyond the Mapbox free tier, then there will be additional billing that will be required independently on Mapbox's website. That's it.
Why not Google Maps?
You may be thinking, "Why not use Google Maps, which is a free-to-use website"? When using Google Maps on other websites for things like store locators, there is a similar cost structure that people must pay. It is not free, though they have a very similar free tier as Mapbox.
Similar in price, the primary difference is how they look. Mapbox tends to look a bit more modern and support more extensive design customizations.