Analyzing geographic or geospatial data can take up a lot of time due to spatial complexity, vast GIS data volume, and variety. Thanks to geographic information system (GIS) solutions that simplify spatial patterns analysis, location mapping, and geographic information visualization. The software’s versatile usability across diverse sectors, such as urban planning, archaeology, real estate, makes it a valuable tool for geospatial analysis.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective option to buy a geographic information system, why not consider free GIS software? You can assess the software’s usability and try out basic features. You can also upgrade to a paid version as your business needs grow.
In this article, we’ve highlighted, in alphabetical order, three top-rated free GIS software products based on verified software reviews. Read more.
The tools featured in this article are dedicated GIS software that help users visualize locations. Some common features across all these products include live updates, map creation, and map sharing.
1. Google Maps
Google Maps is a dedicated web mapping GIS software offered by Google that offers detailed information about geographical locations worldwide. The platform is accessible through a web browser or an app on your mobile devices. It offers an indoor maps feature that enables users to view indoor maps of locations, such as airports, malls, and stadiums, making it easier to find your way around. You can use this feature to check the indoor floor plan of a building and locate points of interest inside.
Google Maps is free for up to $200 usage every month, which is 28,500 map loads. The platform enables users to integrate interactive maps and geolocation features into their own applications using application programming interfaces (APIs) provided by Google. For example, Google Maps Android API can be used to integrate maps into Android mobile. This is a paid functionality, depending upon the user’s requirements.
Free featuresTraffic updates: Check out live traffic updates before you step out. GIS software allows users to view current traffic conditions in certain areas and their estimated time of arrival at a destination. The feature includes color-coded lines that indicate traffic speed at different location points.
Maps gallery: View and share maps using the gallery feature, a collection of maps created by Google users and partners. With the maps gallery, you can also create custom maps using lines and shapes, add photos and videos to your maps, and share these maps with other users.
Location sharing: Use GIS software to display and share real-time locations with other users accurately. This feature is useful if you need to provide directions to others. The feature combines various data sources, such as GPS signals and Wi-Fi networks, to determine the user’s location.
Customer support options: Emails, online FAQs, and knowledge base.
Who should consider Google Maps?
Individuals and businesses can use Google Maps to display/find locations and get directions. Businesses having complex interior layouts, such as large retail stores and shopping malls, can use the tool’s indoor maps feature to provide visitors with detailed indoor navigation within spaces. Individuals, including travelers and tourists, can use its recommendations for local attractions to navigate unfamiliar areas.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
/ Pro tip
Consider a free GIS tool that allows you to share maps and geographic data with other users. While sharing options may differ based on the tool’s functionality, some common ways could be shareable links, embeddable maps, email sharing, and downloadable files.
2. LocationIQ
LocationIQ is an online location data provider that offers geocoding, routing, and mapping application programming interfaces (APIs) to help businesses visualize location data on maps and convert them into street addresses. With LocationIQ, users can create static maps to help others visualize location data as images. You can also customize maps by changing colors, icons, and fonts to match your brand’s requirements.
The free plan of LocationIQ is meant for limited commercial use, whereas the upgraded version allows you to use the tool in commercial applications that involve location-based services and mapping. Moreover, the free version has limited email support, whereas the paid plan offers priority email support.
Free featuresReverse geocoding: Convert geographic coordinates, including latitude and longitude, into human-readable addresses. With this feature, users can see the actual names of places on their maps instead of mere numbers and letters. The software offers a free tier of 5000 requests per day.
Distance matrix: Calculate the most efficient and the fastest route between the supplied coordinates, including the duration of the route between these coordinates, using the Distant Matrix and Routing API.
Map themes: Select from a range of map themes—streets, dark, and light to suit your visual style and branding. Typically, these include the option to change visual elements, such as fonts and colors, to match your brand.
Customer support options: Email, online FAQs, and knowledge base.
Who should consider LocationIQ?
Businesses looking for a GIS software that can help them embed their location on their website’s home page or contact us page for visitors to navigate easily can consider LocationIQ. With static maps feature and diverse map themes, this GIS software enables users to show location data on a store locator, embed it in emails, and even print it on their marketing materials.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
Narrow your search for business intelligence companies with our list of companies in the following areas:
3. Scribble Maps
Scribble Maps is an online mapping platform that helps users, including government officials, students, and military personnel, build custom maps, annotate maps, plot territories, and more. This GIS software offers drawing tools, such as shapes, markers, freehand, and text labels for custom map styling. You can use these to draw routes, trails, and boundaries to improve GIS data comprehension.
In its free version, Scribble Maps allows you to create up to five maps. If you need access to a higher number, you’ll have to get the upgraded version of the software that offers unlimited maps, along with other features, such as overlay management, geocodes, and heatmaps.
Free featuresImage export: Retrieve an image of the map in 450x450 width and height pixels using the free version of the software. You can also save your image as a PDF file.
Map sharing: Share your custom maps with friends and other users using shareable links. With Scribble Maps, you can share your maps virtually on any social media platform or embed the map in a Reddit post.
Encryption: Save and share maps using military standard AES-256 encryption with a PBKDF2 key. With this, users get access to an encryption password that is further used to decrypt the map data.
Customer support options: Emails, online FAQs, and knowledge base.
Who should consider Scribble Maps?
Businesses and teams that are into urban planning, environment protection, and real estate can consider Scribble maps. The software’s versatile range of drawing tools can help users create custom maps with annotations and overlays that can be used to visualize proposed developments, map out ecosystems, and highlight property listings.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
/ Pro tip
Select a free geographic information system that allows users to visualize geographical data in 2D or 3D formats by customizing the font, style, color, and charts. Your free tool should also help annotate maps in different ways, including color-coded regions, text labels, topographical layers, and more.
What is the cost to upgrade from free GIS software to a paid one?
GIS software upgrades can be as low as $12 per month or increase up to $199+ per month, depending on various factors—features, licensing model, target audience, integration capabilities, and more. Most GIS platforms typically include the following subscription plans:
Free trials: No-cost plans ranging between 3-30 days, giving users access to all or limited software features. These are ideal for businesses that wish to try out a tool before purchasing it.
Free versions: Free software plans offer basic features and limited premium feature access. This is ideal for small businesses or individuals on a budget.
Entry-level plans: Start at $12 per month, and offer limited features. This option is suitable for small businesses with basic feature requirements such as location maps and map sharing.
Mid-tier plans: Range from $20 to $79 per month and offer features such as map design tools, geocoding APIs, advanced map editing, and static maps. These are ideal for businesses that have outgrown basic GIS solutions but do not require the full range of functionality offered by enterprise-level tools.
High-end plans: Advanced plans that cost over $150 per month and offer unlimited users, unlimited teams, business analytics, premium customer support, and more. These are ideal for businesses that deal with complex spatial data analysis and require advanced geographical insights.
Hidden costs associated with GIS software
Besides the software license, additional costs are associated with online GIS software. These may include:
Data updates: If your GIS software solution relies on regularly updated data, you might need to incur additional costs for data updates. These ongoing costs are necessary to ensure the accuracy of your maps and analyses.
Customization: Your GIS software may offer several customization options, such as user interface customization, functionality additions, and data source integrations. Since these can lead to additional maintenance efforts, you might end up paying extra charges for such customization options.
Data conversion: Converting existing data into compatible formats could require extra time and effort. You might also need specialized tools, additional labor, or technical expertise for the conversion, which could impact your expenses.
Small businesses should also budget for these expenses when considering a new tool.
Frequently asked questions when selecting free GIS software
Here are some questions to ask GIS application providers before making a final purchase:
What kind of limitations does the free software have?
Free GIS software solutions often have limitations, such as limited users, maps, and support. These might also have restrictions on the types of data format they can support or the volume of data they can handle. Ask your vendor about all such limitations to ensure your tool aligns with your needs.
Does the free tool offer mobile compatibility?
GIS software applications with mobile compatibility can extend the reach and usability of geospatial information beyond the traditional desktop environment. These typically allow users to access maps, view spatial information, perform spatial data analysis, capture location-based data, and collect accurate geographic coordinates on their mobile devices.
What are the available integration options?
Your shortlisted GIS application should necessarily integrate with web mapping services for accessing up-to-date map data, enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools to visualize spatial data related to resources and locations, business intelligence (BI) platforms to combine spatial data with business data, and data visualization tools to enhance the presentation of geospatial data. Besides these, a GIS tool should also integrate with email and cloud storage platforms to facilitate sharing of maps and geographic data.