ArcGIS Alternatives

    ArcGIS is described as 'is geographic information system (GIS) software for visualizing, managing, creating, and analyzing geographic data' and is an app in the Travel & Location category. There are more than 25 alternatives to ArcGIS for a variety of platforms, including Windows, the Web, Linux, Mac and Android. The most liked alternative is QGIS, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like ArcGIS are R (programming language) (Free, Open Source), GRASS GIS (Free, Open Source), OpenLayers (Free, Open Source) and PostGIS (Free, Open Source).

    The list of alternatives was last updated Nov 5, 2020
    ArcGIS info, screenshots & reviewsAlternatives to ArcGIS
    • 41 alternatives

    • QGIS

      A fully featured, user friendly, open source Geographic Information System (GIS) with similar power to ArcGIS and MapInfo.
      Almost everyone thinks this is a great alternative to ArcGIS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • Android
      • BSD
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      QGIS can read geodatabases. The software is frequently updated and print composer is very good alternative to ArcGIS for map layouts.
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      Positive comment • almost 4 years ago • 4 users agree

      The GUI is pretty simple and intuitive and it runs decent on windows (at least as fast as ArcMap), but on GNU/Linux it flies. And since the license is GPL you can use it for different purposes (from educational to research or commercial) without worrying for a sue.
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      Positive comment • 10 months ago

      QGIS runs on multiple platforms, has a strong community and is becoming more and more mature. You can do almost everything using QGIS and it integrates very well with GRASS and SAGA for additional power.
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      Positive comment • 10 months ago

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    • R (programming language)

      R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
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      Even though this programming language is not specific to spatial data, the vast collection of R packages available for importing, processing, analysing, converting and visualising spatial makes it an excellent alternative that can create fully reproducible processes. Searching "R Spatial" online will bring up a wealth of books, tutorials and resources.
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      Positive comment • 4 months ago

    • GRASS GIS

      GRASS GIS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) is an open source, free software (FOSS) Geographical Information System (GIS) with raster, topological, vector, image...
      Almost everyone thinks this is a great alternative to ArcGIS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Mac
      • Windows
      • Linux
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      • OpenLayers

        OpenLayers is a high-performance, feature-packed library for all your mapping needs.
        • Free • Open Source
        • Online
        • Self-Hosted
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      • PostGIS

        PostGIS adds support for geographic objects to the PostgreSQL object-relational database.
        No screenshots yet
        • Free • Open Source
        • Mac
        • Windows
        • Linux
        • BSD
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          While PostGIS can collect GIS data, its primary functionality is that of a database and doesn't provide most of the feature set that ArcGIS has.
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          Negative comment • over 5 years ago • 4 users agree

        • Mapserver

          MapServer is an Open Source platform for publishing spatial data and interactive mapping applications to the web.
          No screenshots yet
          • Free • Open Source
          • Mac
          • Windows
          • Linux
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          • what3words

            Geocoding system for the simple communication of locations with a resolution of 3 m.
            • Free
            • Online
            • Android
            • iPhone
            • iPad
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            • gvSIG Desktop

              gvSIG is a Geographic Information System (GIS), that is, a desktop application designed for capturing, storing, handling, analyzing and deploying any kind of referenced geographic...
              • Free
              • Mac
              • Windows
              • Linux
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              • MapWindow GIS

                MapWindow is a fully free and open source geographic information system project.
                • Free • Open Source
                • Windows
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                • Mapline

                  Maximize the use of your Excel spreadsheet data. Make mapping the easiest. Transform Excel data into visual analysis. We lead in data simplification and presentation. We are committed to deliver the tools needed to outpace competition.
                  • Freemium
                  • Mac
                  • Windows
                  • Online
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