squaremap vs Tectonicus

squaremap is a free Minecraft server plugin or mod that generates a live world map viewable in a web browser. Its vanilla-like, top-down 2D presentation is designed for navigation and supports live updates, dimension maps, and markers or waypoints. Player markers can show yaw rotation, health, and armor. The project lists Paper, Fabric, NeoForge, and Sponge support; Fabric additionally requires Fabric API. An internal web server is enabled by default and uses port 8080 by default, although a host may restrict available ports. For advanced arrangements such as SSL certificates, the documentation recommends an external web server. Integrations include ChunkyBorder, Heatmap, PlotSquared, Residence, and Towny, plus add-ons for banners, claims, death spots, mobs, signs, skins, vanish, and WorldGuard. Developers can use the API to draw markers, shapes, and icons on rendered maps. Downloads are directed through Modrinth, with development builds on Jenkins. squaremap uses the MIT License, while its Leaflet frontend uses the 2-clause BSD License.

Tectonicus generates a detailed, zoomable map from a Minecraft Java world by building a 3D model and rendering map images. Its stated aim is to make maps resemble what players see in Minecraft. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows; maps can be viewed offline or served from a web server. Setup involves downloading a release, preparing an XML configuration file, and running the program from the command line with Java. Later runs using the same options are quicker after the initial render because only changed tiles are rendered. Players can filter which signs appear, and signs marked with #view can create first-person views with configurable height, angle, field of view, and nighttime rendering. Release 2.31 supports Minecraft 1.21 through 1.21.11, but not Minecraft 26.1. It also adds rectangular world subsets and arm64 LWJGL libraries for M-series Macs and possibly other ARM systems. Generated images can consume gigabytes of disk space depending on world size; WebP or JPG output and closestZoomSize can reduce storage use. Copper golem statues do not work, and shelves render only partially.