Free, Open-Source and proprietary GIS software options
In this post you will find a list of free and/or open-source and proprietary GIS-software options.
Free and open-source desktop-GIS software
1. QGIS
QGIS is a free and open-source geographic information system. With QGIS you can create, modify, visualize and analyze spatial data on Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD and Android.
2. GRASS GIS
GRASS GIS is a hybrid, modular geographic information system software with grid and vector-oriented functions.
3. SAGA GIS
Software for automated geoscientific analysis. The SAGA project is mainly developed at the Department of Geography at the University of Hamburg.
Java based open-source GIS.
5. GeoDa
GeoDa is a free and open-source GIS-software and serves as an introduction to geodata analysis.
6. gvSIG
Open-Source Desktop, Online und Mobile GIS.
7. MapmakerPro
MapMaker is aimed at specialists who need to create maps. For example foresters, archaeologists, emergency services, etc..
8. DIVA GIS
DIVA-GIS is a free GIS for mapping and analyzing geographic data.
9. TerraLib
TerraLib is an open source GIS software library that supports the development of custom geographic applications.
10. Kalypso
Kalypso is an open source modeling program. The focus is on numerical simulations in water management and ecology.
11. OrbisGIS
OrbisGIS is a cross-platform open source GIS developed by and for research.
12. OzGIS
OzGIS is a GIS for analyzing and displaying spatial statistics.
13. FalconView
FalconView is a GIS developed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
14. ILWIS
The Integrated Land and Water Information System (ILWIS) is a desktop-based GIS and remote sensing software that was developed by ITC up to Release 3.3 in 2005.
15. MapWindow GIS
MapWindow GIS is an open source GIS desktop application that is used by a large number of users and organizations around the world.
16. Whitebox GAT
Whitebox Geospatial Analysis Tools is an open source, cross-platform geospatial information system and remote sensing software package.
17. Capaware
3D-world-viewer.
The Generic Mapping Tools are a collection of free software for creating geological or geographical maps and diagrams.
Proprietary GIS Software
19. ArcGIS, ArcView
ArcGIS is the generic term for various GIS software products from Esri.
20. AutoCAD Map3D
AutoCAD Map3D from Autodesk is a GIS software solution and offers extensive access to all CAD and GIS data and enables its creation and editing.
21. Aquaevo GIS
Aquaveo is a GIS software for modeling environmental and water resources.
22. Bentley Map
23. Cadcorp
Cadcorp's GIS and Web Mapping Software are GIS software products for the creation, analysis and data management of geodata.
24. Conform
Conform is a GIS software for merging, visualizing, editing and exporting 3D environments for urban planning, games and simulations.
25. Dragon / ips
Dragon / ips is a remote sensing image processing software.
26. ENVI
The ENVI image analysis software is used by GIS experts, remote sensing scientists and image analysts to extract meaningful information from images to help them make better decisions.
27. ERDAS IMAGINE
ERDAS IMAGINE is software for evaluating remote sensing data, especially graphics and photos.
28. Field-Map
Field-Map is a proprietary integrated tool for programmatic field data acquisition by IFER - Monitoring and Mapping Solutions, Ltd. It is mainly used for mapping forest ecosystems and for data collection during field analysis.
29. Geosoft
GEOSOFT is one of Germany's leading developers of geodetic computing and organizational software for private and public surveying agencies.
30. GeoTime
GeoTime is a geodata analysis software that enables the visual analysis of events over time. The third dimension adds time to a two-dimensional map so that users can see changes in time series data.
31. Global Mapper
Geographic information system with distance and area calculation; offers an integrated scripting language, 3D display and GPS tracks.
32. Golden Software
Surfer and Mapviewer are two software solutions with a variety of mapping and adaptation options and support any geodata format (including LiDAR data), 3D visualization, as well as volume / distance / area calculations.
33. Intergraph
GeoMedia is a GIS software from Intergraph. GeoMedia is a software product family with desktop GIS, web GIS and is mainly aimed at municipalities.
34. Manifold System
Manifold System is software for the management of digital maps. Digital maps and remote sensing data can be easily edited.
35. MapInfo
MapInfo Professional is a geographic information system software from the US company MapInfo Corporation.
36. Maptitude
Maptitude is a mapping software program created by Caliper Corporation that allows users to view, edit, and integrate maps. The software and technology are designed to facilitate the geographic visualization and analysis of contained data or user-defined external data.
37. Netcad
NETCAD GIS is a CAD and GIS software that supports international standards and was designed for users of engineering and geographic information systems.
38. RegioGraph
RegioGraph is a geomarketing software specializing in questions in the areas of marketing, sales, controlling, logistics and corporate strategy.
39. RIWA GIS Zentrum
The RIWA GIS Zentrum is a powerful, web-based geographic information system that has been used in numerous municipal administrations and industrial companies for many years.
40. Smallworld
Smallworld GIS is the professional geographic information system for network operators in the energy and water industries.
41. TNTmips
TNTmips is a geospatial data analysis system that offers a fully featured GIS, RDBMS and automated image processing system with CAD, TIN, surface modeling, map layout and innovative data publishing tools.
42. TerrSet ( IDRISI )
TerrSet is an integrated geographic information system and remote sensing software for monitoring and modeling the Earth system.
43. Google Earth Pro
Google Earth Pro Desktop is free and intended for users who need advanced features. You can import and export GIS data and go on a journey through time with the help of historical images.
Online GIS
44. Bing Maps
Bing Maps is an online map service from Microsoft, through which various spatial data can be viewed and spatial services can be used. It is a further development of the MSN Virtual Earth and is part of the Bing search engine.
45. Google Maps
Google Maps is an online map service from the US company Google LLC. The surface of the earth can be viewed as a road map or as an aerial or satellite image, with locations of institutions or known objects also being displayed. The service started on February 8, 2005.
46. NASA World Wind
NASA World Wind is an open source software that enables satellite and aerial images to be displayed on a virtual globe combined with elevation data and to be zoomed in anywhere in the world in 3D graphics and viewed freely from all sides.
47. OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap is a free project, which collects freely usable geodata, structures it and keeps it in a database for everyone to use. This data is under a free license, the Open Database License.
48. Wikimapia
Wikimapia is a web interface that combines maps with a restricted wiki system without hypertext functions. It allows the user to add information in the form of a note to any position on the earth.
Other GIS-Tools and Software used with GIS
49. GDAL/OGR
The Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL / OGR) provides command line-based auxiliary programs. A large number of raster and vector geodata formats can be converted and processed using these.
50. Leaflet
Leaflet is the leading open-source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps.
51. OpenLayers
OpenLayers makes it easy to put a dynamic map in any web page. It can display map tiles, vector data and markers loaded from any source.
52. R
R is a free programming language for statistical calculations and graphics.
53. Blender
Blender is a free, GPL-licensed 3D graphics suite with which bodies can be modeled, textured and animated.
First published August 31, 2020
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About The Author
Geospatial Developer
Hi, I'm Max (he/him). I am a geospatial developer, author and cyclist from Rosenheim, Germany. Support me