Geospatial & location analytics · QGIS.org

QGIS

Free, open-source desktop GIS application for spatial data viewing, editing, analysis and cartographic map production.

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QGIS is a cross-platform desktop GIS application, built and maintained by a volunteer community under a non-profit foundation, that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. It supports most common vector and raster formats, connects directly to spatial databases including PostGIS, and exposes Python scripting through PyQGIS for automating analysis and workflows. A large plugin ecosystem extends it into remote sensing, geostatistics and specialized cartographic output. QGIS is the default free alternative to commercial desktop GIS such as ArcGIS Pro for practitioners, researchers, NGOs and public agencies that need full-featured spatial analysis and map production without a per-seat license fee.

At a glance

Vendor QGIS.org
Pricing model Open source + paid options
Free tier —
Deployment Self-hosted
Open source Yes (GPL-2.0)
Best for GIS analysts and researchers wanting a full-featured desktop GIS without a commercial license.

Pricing

Free to download and use; funded by community donations and a non-profit foundation rather than licenses.

Pricing has not been verified yet — see the vendor's site.

Features

  • Desktop vector and raster GIS editing and analysis
  • Native PostGIS and spatial database and web-service support
  • Python/PyQGIS scripting and processing automation
  • Large community plugin ecosystem
  • Cartographic map composition and printing
  • Cross-platform: Windows, macOS and Linux

Integrations

Profile last reviewed September 21, 2026

Head to head

Alternatives

PostGIS Open-source spatial extension for PostgreSQL adding geographic objects, spatial indexing and GIS query functions. Esri ArcGIS Industry-standard GIS platform spanning desktop, server and cloud products for mapping, spatial analysis and enterprise geodata. kepler.gl Open-source, browser-based tool for visually exploring and animating large geospatial datasets without writing code.

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Terms to know

Remote sensing Collecting data about the Earth's surface or atmosphere from satellites, aircraft or drones without physical contact. Spatial analysis Analytical techniques that use the location, distance or arrangement of data to find patterns tabular data hides.

Related guides

How to choose a geospatial analytics tool Pick a location-intelligence tool by the question you're asking — desktop analysis, a shared map, an embedded feature, or warehouse SQL — not the demo map. How to start with geospatial analysis Coordinate systems, geocoding, spatial joins, and the map design choices that mislead — the fundamentals before you pick a GIS tool.