14 Free GIS Software program Options for 2023

How do firms deal with challenges that span throughout varied areas and nations?

In navigating these complexities, numerous organizations depend on geographical knowledge factors to drive selections that considerably influence our each day lives. For environment friendly assortment and evaluation of this knowledge, professionals typically flip to geographic data system (GIS) software program.

A GIS serves as laptop software program designed to seize, analyze, and interpret geographical knowledge factors. This software seamlessly processes knowledge associated to positions on Earth’s floor, empowering professionals throughout numerous industries to optimize their operations.

Whereas varied free GIS software program choices can be found, choosing essentially the most appropriate one can appear daunting. To simplify this course of, we now have compiled a listing of the most effective free GIS software program primarily based on genuine opinions from verified customers on G2.

Greatest free GIS software program

With many free GIS instruments out there available in the market at this time, evaluating your particular necessities, desired options, and value is important earlier than deciding which one is best for you.

The checklist beneath incorporates actual person opinions. Within the context of this checklist, distributors that provide a free trial are additionally thought of free. 

To be included on this checklist, the GIS software program will need to have at the very least one of many following options:

• Retailer, set up, edit, and analyze geographical knowledge
• Embody visualization capabilities to show geographical data
• Both have GIS functionality or make the most of a GIS platform in its answer
• Align and/or manipulate knowledge from maps and sources

*This knowledge was pulled from G2 in Fall 2023. Some opinions might have been edited for readability.

Google Earth Professional, though not a full GIS software, gives a free platform for visualizing, assessing, and creating geospatial knowledge, with a user-friendly interface serving as an entry level for GIS exploration. Its world imagery database and 3D visualization capabilities allow primary spatial evaluation for customers of assorted experience ranges.

What customers like greatest:

“Google Earth Professional’s high-resolution imagery facilitates exact web site evaluation, whereas seamless GIS knowledge integration strengthens influence assessments. The 3D measurement characteristic ensures correct quantification of potential results. Its video creation instruments and high-quality visuals streamline shows. Inside Environmental Impression Evaluation reviews, Google Earth Professional seamlessly combines superior functionalities with user-friendly design, enhancing effectivity and optimizing outcomes.”

– Google Earth Professional Evaluation, Monika N.

What customers dislike:

Google Earth Professional necessitates a sturdy laptop system with a quick processor, devoted graphics card, and ample RAM for seamless efficiency, particularly when dealing with giant datasets or intricate 3D fashions.

– Google Earth Professional Evaluation, Anuradha P.

Esri ArcGIS presents a variety of capabilities and versatile licensing selections, integrating location-based analytics seamlessly into enterprise workflows. Its contextual instruments for knowledge visualization and evaluation foster collaborative efforts, enabling a complete strategy to organizational methods by means of customizable maps, purposes, and dashboards.

What customers like:

“Having used Esri ArcGIS extensively, each on the general public (StoryMaps) and licensed sides, I discovered its operation no extra advanced than some other graphics platform as soon as I grasped the fundamentals. ArcGIS StoryMaps incorporates a user-friendly interface, making it very best for GIS novices. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be mistaken for Esri ArcGIS, an industry-grade software famend for its strong knowledge visualization by means of maps.”

– Esri ArcGIS Evaluation, Jody T.

What customers dislike:

“I consider the UI/UX may use some enchancment. It may be difficult to recall the exact sequence of buttons and choices required to finish a job. Enhancing the brand new person walk-through may probably alleviate this problem.”

– Esri ArcGIS Evaluation, Cindear Z.

Google Maps API presents builders a collection of instruments leveraging Google’s real-world insights, permitting the creation of immersive purposes by means of options like Maps, Routes, and Locations, enabling the combination of real-time knowledge for enhanced location-based experiences.

What customers like:

“The Google Maps API grants entry to intensive mapping knowledge, together with detailed maps, satellite tv for pc imagery, and road view, whereas additionally offering builders with strong routing and instructions capabilities for calculating optimum routes between places.”

– Google Maps API Evaluation, Surinda A.

What customers dislike:

“I hope Google improves help for low-end telephones. There’s a want for higher verification of locations, as I’ve come throughout inaccuracies in places and locations.”

– Google Maps API Evaluation, Rajiv Okay.

AutoCAD Map 3D® is specialised for mapping and infrastructure administration, with direct knowledge entry and industry-specific fashions, supporting customization and integration for builders of all ranges with its versatile programming language help.

What customers like:

“The software program facilitates seamless integration of GIS knowledge by means of easy import and export capabilities, enabling its use inside AutoCAD drawings. Moreover, it helps advanced knowledge evaluation capabilities.”

– Autodesk Map 3D Evaluation, Shubham S.

What customers dislike:

“The educational curve is steep for these unfamiliar with Autodesk, making it much less appropriate for novices or novices.”

– Autodesk Map 3D Evaluation, Bharat Okay.

BatchGeo is a web-based software facilitating fast map era by simply plotting knowledge factors onto maps by means of knowledge integration with Google Maps, simplifying the mapping course of for customers by means of automated translation of offered knowledge codecs.

What customers like:

“BatchGeo’s user-friendly interface makes it extremely straightforward to make use of. Importing a spreadsheet of names and addresses is seamless, and the short era of maps enhances the general expertise. The intuitive design additional contributes to its attraction.”

– BatchGeo Evaluation, Derrek S.

What customers dislike:

– BatchGeo Evaluation, Drew N.

ArcGIS Navigator is a cellular navigation utility for field-based operations, providing a variety of world maps and customized map choices for environment friendly asset location and route planning, leveraging GIS know-how for enhanced performance.

What customers like:

“This software program is extremely highly effective, offering instruments for just about each conceivable job associated to geographical knowledge. It allows the creation of good maps and the administration of objects with any desired geographical location and attributes within the background.”

– ArcGIS Navigator Evaluation, Ankit H.

What customers dislike:

“I counsel incorporating extra language choices inside the software program. Whereas the out there tutorials and directions facilitate straightforward utilization, enhancements in language settings can be helpful.”

– ArcGIS Navigator Evaluation, Juliana P.

Mapbox creates tailor-made on-line maps for varied purposes, providing a complete vary of APIs and SDKs to develop customized maps for internet, cellular, automotive, and augmented actuality purposes, catering to numerous person wants and preferences.

What customers like:

“My latest expertise with Mapbox left me totally impressed with its capabilities. The platform’s flexibility, providing varied customization choices, enabled me to create project-specific maps effortlessly. The provision of pre-built map types facilitated the short creation of professional-looking maps. Its user-friendly interface streamlined navigation by means of instruments and choices. Total, I extremely advocate Mapbox as a compelling and versatile map framework for builders and designers.”

– Mapbox Evaluation, Thibault L.

What customers dislike:

“Mapbox’s pricing construction may gain advantage from enchancment, regardless of its beneficiant free tier and versatile plans. The scalability prices might increase considerations for customers, particularly companies with substantial mapping necessities.”

– Mapbox Evaluation, Mayur J.

Google Locations showcases native enterprise listings in search outcomes, enhancing native visibility by means of detailed data and maps, serving as a helpful software for companies concentrating on particular places and native buyer bases.

What customers like:

“Google Locations gives complete enterprise data equivalent to operation hours, contacts, opinions, and pictures, facilitating handy journey planning. Person-generated opinions provide helpful insights into a spot’s repute, aiding in decision-making. The seamless integration with Google Maps for instructions and dwell site visitors updates additional enhances its usability.”

– Google Locations Evaluation, Nusrat N.

What customers dislike:

“Primarily based on my expertise with the Google Locations API, it is important to notice just a few drawbacks and limitations. Inaccuracies in location knowledge can pose challenges for customers counting on exact data. Furthermore, the pricing construction would possibly limit companies with excessive location-based question calls for. Whereas the API gives helpful insights into buyer sentiment, it may not provide a complete view of buyer conduct. Due to this fact, it is essential to grasp these constraints earlier than closely counting on the Google Locations API.”

– Google Locations Evaluation, Cassio B.

Google Beacon makes use of Bluetooth low power (BLE) know-how to ship tailor-made messages to close by smartphones, enabling companies to interact clients by means of focused advertising and marketing, promotions, and occasion bulletins, successfully bridging the digital and bodily realms.

What customers like:

“Permits beacon deployers to seamlessly combine varied options. Whereas outcomes might differ primarily based on utility, the platform’s expansive capabilities facilitate streamlined integration of creativity and innovation.”

– Google Beacon Plaftorm Evaluation, Chris B.

What customers dislike:

“Requires customers to allow location companies for gathering geographical data.”

– Google Beacon Platform Evaluation, Ryan R.

Maptitude GIS and mapping software program provides you the instruments, maps, and knowledge you should analyze and perceive how geography impacts you and your group. Maptitude is essentially the most succesful, least costly, full-featured mapping software program out there.

With Maptitude you’ll be able to create maps and map photos from spreadsheets and you may see exterior knowledge on the map from quite a lot of sources together with Google Maps KML/KMZ information. Designed for knowledge visualization and geographic evaluation, Maptitude comes with a complete library of maps and GIS knowledge to your nation.

What customers like:

“Maptitude is my best choice for knowledge evaluation and visualization. Its seamless knowledge import and export choices from varied platforms equivalent to Google Earth, OpenStreetMap, Esri Form, MapInfo, GPS, AutoCAD, Excel, and Textual content, amongst others. Over my 13 years of use. I closely depend on it for drive time evaluation and optimizing supply routes, decreasing prices, and offering exact directions to drivers.”

– Maptitude Evaluation, Sheldon Neil C.

What customers dislike:

“Be ready for a studying curve; buying all the mandatory knowledge would possibly take a while. Familiarizing oneself with the layers and processes is important, but the useful workers is at all times out there to offer steering. Moreover, there are quite a few YouTube tutorials that may assist within the studying course of.”

– Maptitude Evaluation, Babir S.

Scribble Maps is an intuitive on-line GIS platform facilitating knowledge administration, route optimization, annotation, collaboration, and interactive map creation for numerous sectors, empowering customers to realize helpful insights and make knowledgeable selections throughout industries.

What customers like:

“Scribble Maps stands out for its spectacular array of map types, providing customers entry to straightforward, satellite tv for pc, and topographical maps. This versatility caters to numerous wants, whether or not it is planning a memorable street journey or optimizing supply routes for companies.”

– Scribble Maps Evaluation, Manish Okay.

What customers dislike:

“Scribble Maps gives a complete vary of options, which can require some effort and time to totally grasp. For these unfamiliar with mapping software program, the preliminary studying curve would possibly pose a problem in getting began.”

– Scribble Maps Evaluation, Andrew W.

MapInfo Professional simplifies the duties of capturing, managing, and visualizing location knowledge, enabling customers to uncover patterns and traits effectively, with a user-friendly interface and strong functionalities for complete spatial evaluation and visualization.

What customers like:

“This plotting and mapping software holds substantial attraction for Telecommunications engineers. I’ve relied on this software since 2007, and it has constantly delivered with out fail. Its fast processing capabilities permit for environment friendly plotting, processing, and show of numerous maps, providing a spectrum of thematic choices to vividly showcase websites and knowledge in varied codecs.”

– MapInfo Professional Evaluation, Adnan A.

What customers dislike:

“MapBasic possesses vital energy, and its capability for automation is a major cause why my group depends on it. Nevertheless, the MapBasic element inside MapInfo is progressively slowing down and encountering points, creating extra challenges than offering options. Pressing modernization is required to make sure its continued relevance and effectivity.”

– MapInfo Professional Evaluation, Jonathan D.

QGIS is a flexible and free cross-platform GIS utility for viewing, enhancing, and analyzing geospatial knowledge, repeatedly developed by a worldwide neighborhood, making it a preferred alternative for mapping and geographic evaluation throughout varied fields.

What customers like:

“One of many standout options of QGIS is its standing as an open-source GIS platform. Familiarity with its plugin system could make it a handy and cost-effective different to pricier choices like ArcGIS. Set up is hassle-free with out the necessity for licensing, and it serves as a standalone software program, eliminating the requirement to handle completely different elements as is the case with ArcGIS, equivalent to ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox.”

– QGIS Evaluation, Md Mehmud S.

What customers dislike:

“Sometimes, the appliance crashes when utilizing greater than three plugins, and there have been situations the place listing information failed to save lots of, leading to software program crashes. Moreover, it may be difficult at instances to handle the software program as a consequence of its dependency on the C drive path.”

– QGIS Evaluation, Aishwarya S.

Citymapper gives complete transportation choices and real-time updates for city journey, integrating knowledge for varied modes of transportation to reinforce customers’ journey expertise and decision-making course of.

What customers like:

“For my part, the standout characteristic is the appliance’s seamless integration with varied platforms like Uber for handy automotive rides, in addition to its compatibility with completely different city-specific apps. Furthermore, it presents a complete map of the world, guaranteeing even the best particulars are simply accessible.”

– Citymapper Evaluation, Raghav Okay.

What customers dislike:

“CityMapper’s subscription service contains options such because the ‘Fewest Transfers’ perform, which goals to optimize journey routes with minimal transit modifications. The app usually prioritizes the shortest distance, however the subscription provides a voice-guided navigation possibility. Customers have the pliability to make the most of Google Maps or different options. Nevertheless, the present model doesn’t help the direct buy of native transport tickets for particular cities, probably limiting some person preferences.”

– Citymapper Evaluation, Ankit J.

You may ‘map’ it occur!

Some software program choices provide restricted capabilities totally free accounts. Should you’re hoping to make use of one in all these GIS options long-term, it’s greatest to discover what every paid providing contains as properly. Don’t be afraid to check out just a few free accounts throughout a number of GIS platforms earlier than making a choice.

Transcend easy mapping. Study extra about spatial evaluation and its advantages.