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SpatiaLite / SQLite to GeoJSON SpatiaLite / SQLite to GeoPackage SpatiaLite / SQLite to ESRI Shapefile
• GeoDataViewer Team

GeoJSON vs Shapefile: Which Format Should You Use?

GeoJSON vs Shapefile compared: structure, file packaging, web friendliness, and when it makes sense to convert between formats.

GeoJSON and Shapefile are both common GIS vector formats, but they fit different workflows. GeoJSON is popular for web maps and APIs, while Shapefile is a legacy standard with broad tool support.

Quick comparison

TopicGeoJSONShapefile
FilesSingle .geojson / .jsonMultiple sidecars (.shp, .dbf, .shx, …)
Web mappingVery commonOften requires zipping and handling sidecars
AttributesStored in propertiesStored in .dbf
Best forWeb apps, APIs, lightweight sharingCompatibility with existing GIS tools

When GeoJSON is better

Choose GeoJSON when you need:

  • Simple, readable files you can inspect quickly
  • Easy integration with JavaScript tooling
  • A good interchange format for web visualization

Open GeoJSON online: /open-geojson-online/

When Shapefile is better

Choose Shapefile when you need:

  • Maximum compatibility with legacy GIS workflows
  • A widely accepted “standard” in many organizations

Open Shapefile online: /open-shapefile-online/

Converting between them

Tags: #geojson #shapefile #comparison #gis
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