MapTools

About MapTools

MapTools is an independent directory of map, GIS and geospatial tools, run by people who make maps for a living.

How tools are selected

We list tools that help people make, analyse or publish maps, or supply the data behind them. Each listing is written from the tool's public website and documentation, and checked by hand. Anyone can suggest a tool or an edit through the submit form.

What the licensing fields mean

Each listing summarises three rules: commercial use, exporting or printing map images, and offline use or caching. “With conditions” means the use is allowed only under specific terms, such as an attribution line or a paid plan. “Check terms” means we have not reviewed it yet. Read the licensing guide for details.

How rankings work

Rankings count unique visits that MapTools sends to each tool. A visitor is counted once per tool every 24 hours, using an anonymous hash; we do not store IP addresses. Known bots and crawlers are ignored.

Sponsored and featured listings

Sponsored and featured tools are labelled on every card. Payment buys position, not opinions: the listing text and licensing fields are written the same way for every tool.

API

The directory is available as JSON. Read endpoints are public; write endpoints need an API key.

GET  https://maptools.cc/api/tools?category=basemaps&limit=50
GET  https://maptools.cc/api/tools/qgis
GET  https://maptools.cc/api/categories
GET  https://maptools.cc/api/rankings?period=30d&category=map-makers
GET  https://maptools.cc/api/stats

POST https://maptools.cc/api/submit
     {"name":"…","url":"https://…","category":"map-makers","tagline":"…"}

MCP server for AI agents

MapTools runs a read-only Model Context Protocol server, so AI assistants and agents can search the directory, compare tools and check licensing rules directly.

Endpoint:  https://maptools.cc/mcp
Transport: Streamable HTTP (JSON-RPC 2.0), no auth

Tools:
  search_map_tools   query + filters (category, pricing, free_only,
                     open_source, commercial_use, export_allowed, platform)
  get_map_tool       full details for one tool
  find_alternatives  alternatives, optionally free only
  compare_map_tools  2–4 tools side by side
  list_categories    all categories
  get_rankings       most visited tools (7d / 30d / all)

To add it in Claude: Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector, and paste the endpoint URL. Other MCP clients accept the same URL as a remote HTTP server.