| Comparison Items | Map Type | ||
| Traditional map | Ubiquitous map | ||
| role orientation of the map and its information | nature | Objective product based on scientific observation | Social product in the ICT and big data environment |
| object space | Geographical and social spaces | A hybrid of geographical, social and information spaces | |
| use | Popularized spatial cognition and generalized industry application | More for personalized applications | |
| creators/providers | Professionals | Professionals, amateurs, users, volunteers, and even everyone | |
| information organization of map surface | composition and layout of map surface | Complete composition of the main body, title, legend, etc.; uniform and standardized layout | All components other than the main body may default; flexible and diverse layout |
| basic framework | Spatiotemporal coordinate | Semantic location | |
| information processing | Professional processing according to strict and clear standards | Professional or non-professional processing with or without standards | |
| spatiotemporal accuracy | Generally high | Possibly high or low | |
| data source of map information | nature | Spatial data and thematic data | Spatiotemporal big data |
| characteristics | Relatively single source, mainly structured, single point positioning, static, with weak data currency and long update cycle | Multi-source, heterogeneous, multidimensional, dynamic, with strong data currency and short update cycle (near real-time update) | |
| acquisition methods | Traditional surveying and mapping, applying according to user authority, with high cost | Intelligent and socialized ubiquitous surveying and mapping, with low cost | |
| content of map information | breadth | Focused on the geospatial pattern | Synthesis of natural, human and social aspects; involving multiple scales, multiple dimensions, multiple attributes, and multiple spaces |
| depth | Mainly shallow processing information | Involving raw information (observation data), shallow processing information and deep processing information (knowledge and laws) | |
| levels of detail | Focused on spatiotemporal location, geometric structure and attribute characteristics | Equally emphasized on spatial location, geometric form, attribute characteristics, objects relationship, evolution process, and semantic description | |
| completeness | Large-scale and comprehensive contents around the map theme | Can be fragmented “micro-contents” | |