The Best Free Map Software app downloads for Mac: MacGPS Pro RouteBuddy World Explorer MindArchitect Marble Geo WPS Magic Maps Interactive map for the.
Comes in two general formats: open-source and commercial.Open-source GIS software is free and the source code is openly available - meaning anyone can study it and/or make changes. In most case, free GIS software doesn't have the same functionality and support as commerical GIS.
That said, some open-source options are still quite powerful.In contrast, commercial GIS involves a paid subscription or a one-time per user fee. These platforms tend to offer more updates and greater functionality, but the top tier options can be quite expensive. Check out ourOpen-source GIS software is a fantastic option for organizations on a budget or anyone looking to learn GIS without a huge financial commitment. Though free GIS platforms don't offer full feature parity, many are still quite robust: capable of performing large a variety of and analysis tasks.Below, we cover the best free available including ratings, features, mobile capabilities, and primary use cases. Click any of the links below to jump there directly.
Though the cartographic tools aren't as developed as a platform like QGIS, the LiDAR capabilitities - such as LAS to shapefile conversion - make Whitebox GAT one of the more unique and useful softwares on this list. SAGA GIS Best forAutomated geoscientific analysisTop 3 Features✔ Easy and effective implentation of spatial algorithms✔ A comprehensive, growing set of geoscientific methods✔ Approachable user interface with many visualization optionsRatings round-up: 4.5/5: 6.6/10: 4.9/5TypeDesktopMobile capableNo. SAGA GIS, System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses, is one of the best regarded GIS softwares on this list.This platform specializes in geoscientific analysis. It's capable of processing LiDAR data and offers 3D visualization - a relative rarity for open-source GIS.With powerful toolsets for raster processing, terrain analysis, and geoscientific data analysis - SAGA is a favorite among those working on more technical geoscience projects.SAGA also offers geostatistics tools.
With regression analysis and semi-variograms, users can engage in various predictive exercises. Despite the complexity of these processes, users report that the simple user interface makes these tasks relatively straightforward. GRASS GISGRASS stands for Geographic Resources Analysis Support System. This platform offers advanced geoprocessing tools and is used primarily for land management and environmental planning.is a favorite in the academic community.
Its code base is easy to inspect and manipulate, meaning it can be tailored to fit specific projects.Featuring over 350 geoprocessing tools, GRASS specializes in raster and vector manipulation, but is also capable of image processing, graphic production, and data visualization.Though aspects of GRASS are more developed that your average open-source GIS, it does have a few downsides. Primarily, an unintuitive user interface and clunky cartographic tools. Though it's possible to, users report the process is quite difficult and, given the availability of other more effective options, not worth the trouble. GvSIG GISwas developed in Valencia, Spain and released for public use in 2004.GIS Geography, a popular GIS publication, actually prefers gvSIG to QGIS for 3D mapping, calling it thegvSIG boasts the largest network of open-source integrated geomatics on the web.
It is also quite easy to use, allowing users to create layouts and access geoprocessing networks without advanced technical knowledge.With 3D visualization, users can view all layers as rasters or 3D vectors, all togehter or one-by-one. With impressive OpenCAD tools, gvSIG users can trace geometries, snap and split lines, edit vertices, and add polygons.NavTable, one of the most popular gvSIG plugins, enables users to navigate within the map by selecting data sets.
Click a specific table within the data set and the data from that table with automatically highlight within the map or visualization. OpenStreetMap GIS(OSM) is a community-driven platform, developed by 'mappers' throughout the world.With decent cartographic capabilities but no geospatial analysis tools, this platform is fairly basic compared to the other free options on this list.That said, it's also very straightforward and easy to use - perfect for novice map makers. Popular among outdoor enthusiasts, OSM is often used to digitally map hiking trails.Public contributors continually update the system with fresh information about roads, railways, trails, and other points of interest all over the globe. OpenJUMP can handle large data sets and works well for visualizing data through plots, pie charts, or.Visual rendering on OpenJUMP is above average and the platform offers several mapping options.
With plugins, users can manipulate rasters, employ large-scale databases, and conduct spatial analysis. UDIG Best forBasic mappingTop 3 Features✔ User-friendly drag and drop interface✔ Import base maps, similar to ArcGIS✔ Works as an extension of other systemsRatings round-up: 4.9/10TypeDesktopMobile capableNo. UDig GISBreak down the acronym and you can easily understand the platform's capabilities.u – User-friendly interfaceD – Desktop (Run uDig on Windows, Mac, and Linux)i – Internet-oriented consuming standard: including WMS, WFS, or WPSg – GIS ready for complex analytical capabilitiesuDig is best for basic and specializes in forest management and biodiversity projects. It's capable of base map import and features a drag-and-drop interface, editing tools, and vector operations.Built with Eclipse Rich Client (RCP) technology, uDIG users can engage in complex data analysis within a user-friendly framework.This open-source platform works as an independent application or as an extension of other RCP plugins.
Compared to other options here, the uDig community is smaller, meaning updates are less common. That said, the documentation is robust and in terms of GIS basics, uDIG has a lot to offer. ConclusionThere you have it! Our top eight picks for the best available free GIS software. No matter what functionality you’re looking for, there's likely a platform out there that will suit your needs.If you've tried the free options and are looking for more support and functionality, try a. Our platform, OnePlace, is cloud-based, easy-to-use, and designed for built-world industries.