8 Amazing Free GIS Software Options | Ratings & Top Features

GIS software 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 commercial 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.

Looking for more GIS software options? Explore different GIS software types in our blog Intro to GIS: What It Is and How to Get Started.

Open-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 a large variety of geospatial mapping and analysis tasks.

Below, we cover the best free GIS mapping software available including ratings, features, mobile capabilities, and primary use cases.