- GIS software at a glance
- Ten GIS tools to consider
- What GIS does, in one line
- Desktop GIS, cloud platform or simple mapping tool?
- Questions to ask before you choose
- Signs you've outgrown spreadsheets for location data
- Open source or commercial?
- My plain advice on choosing GIS software
- Frequently asked questions
The best GIS software depends on who'll use it: open source desktop GIS suits analysts who want full control, a professional desktop suite suits GIS teams, and a browser-based map suits businesses that want everyone to see location data. Ten options follow in no particular order.
Most business data has a location hiding in it: a customer address, a delivery route, a site, a sales territory. GIS software is how you put that data on a map and start asking better questions of it.
The ten GIS tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from free open source projects to cloud platforms. Every description comes from the maker's own site, read this week. If you're mapping where to grow next, my guide to researching a global expansion strategy is a good place to start.
GIS software at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version, a free app or an open source edition. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArcGIS Pro | Desktop GIS software for advanced mapping | Full desktop GIS on Windows | Trial only |
| Atlas | AI GIS for teams | Maps without GIS staff | Not stated |
| CARTO | Agentic GIS platform on cloud data warehouses | Spatial analysis in the cloud warehouse | Not stated |
| Felt | AI-native GIS in the browser | Shared maps for the whole business | Not stated |
| Global Mapper | Professional GIS and geospatial software | Office data prepared for field work | Trial only |
| GRASS | Free and open source geospatial engine | Open source analysis on any system | Yes |
| Manifold | Fast GIS, ETL and data science tools | Big datasets and fast processing | Not stated |
| MapInfo Pro | Desktop mapping GIS from Precisely | Desktop mapping with ready data | Trial only |
| Mapline | Mapping, routing and charts | Mapping spreadsheets without GIS training | Not stated |
| QGIS | Free and open source desktop GIS | Open source desktop GIS | Yes |
Ten GIS tools to consider
ArcGIS Pro
Best for: GIS professionals on Windows who want full-featured desktop software for advanced mapping inside the wider ArcGIS platform.
Atlas
Best for: Small companies without GIS staff that want to connect data, describe the map they need in plain words and share it live.
CARTO
Best for: Data teams that keep location data in cloud warehouses like BigQuery or Snowflake and want spatial analysis on top of it.
Felt
Best for: Operations and planning teams that want a browser-based, AI-native GIS map that everyone in the business can open, not only the GIS specialists.
Global Mapper
Best for: Surveyors and field crews that prepare geospatial data in the office and then use it in the field through the linked Avenza Maps apps.
GRASS
Best for: Researchers and analysts who want an open source geospatial engine they can install on Windows, macOS, Linux or Docker.
Manifold
Best for: Power users with big datasets who want a GIS that uses every CPU core and GPU for fast geoprocessing.
MapInfo Pro
Best for: Businesses that want desktop mapping GIS backed by ready-made location data from the same company, Precisely.
Mapline
Best for: Sales and operations teams that want to map customer data, optimise routes and build charts without any GIS training.
QGIS
Best for: Anyone who wants free and open source desktop GIS built by a public community project rather than a single vendor.
What GIS does, in one line
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) describes a GIS as a computer system that analyzes and displays geographically referenced information, using data attached to a unique location.
Every tool here does that core job. The differences are who on your team has to use it, how big your data is and where that data already lives.
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Desktop GIS, cloud platform or simple mapping tool?
Desktop GIS suits trained analysts doing detailed work with many data layers. Cloud platforms suit data teams who keep location data in a warehouse and want analysis on top. Simple mapping tools suit sales, operations and planning teams who just need to see customers, sites or routes on a shared map.
Open source desktop tools are a strong option if you have the skills, while browser-based tools are easier for everyone else.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Which file types and databases can it read without conversion?
- Can colleagues without GIS training view and comment on maps?
- How does it handle large datasets?
- Does it run on the operating systems your team uses?
- Can you publish a live map to share outside the business?
- What does it take to automate a repeat task?
Signs you've outgrown spreadsheets for location data
If you're copying addresses into a free map one at a time, or nobody can answer which customers live near a new site, it's time for a real mapping tool. Even a simple one will save hours.
Open source or commercial?
Open source GIS gives you full control and a big community, but you'll handle setup and support yourselves. Commercial tools add support, training and cloud hosting, which suits teams without a GIS specialist.
Do you make GIS software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing GIS software
Decide who the map is for before you decide which tool makes it. If it's for one analyst, power matters most. If it's for the whole business, ease of sharing matters more than any feature list.
Then try your own messiest dataset in each shortlisted tool. Addresses with typos and spreadsheets with missing columns are where the differences show. My marketing dashboard template is useful for deciding which location numbers deserve a regular spot in front of you.
Frequently asked questions
What is GIS software?
It's software for storing, analysing and displaying data tied to locations, from addresses to land parcels and routes.
Is there free GIS software?
Yes. Some tools on this list are free and open source. Check the table for each one.
What's the difference between GIS and a simple map?
A simple map shows points. GIS lets you layer data, analyse patterns and answer questions like what's within a set distance of a site.
Do I need training to use GIS software?
Professional desktop GIS takes learning. Browser-based mapping tools are designed for people without GIS training.
Can GIS software work with spreadsheets?
Yes. Most tools import spreadsheets with addresses or coordinates and turn them into map layers.
Which industries use GIS?
Planning, utilities, property, retail, logistics, agriculture and research all use GIS heavily.
