Global Mapper: Affordable desktop GIS with strong format support and terrain tools. QGIS: Free and open-source desktop GIS for Windows, macOS and Linux.
| Global Mapper | QGIS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Desktop GIS | Desktop GIS |
| Pricing model | Paid | Open source |
| Starts at | See website | Free |
| Free tier | Free trial | — |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Software licence | — | GPL-2.0+ |
| API | — | — |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Made by | Blue Marble Geographics | — |
| Commercial use | Check terms | Allowed |
| Export / print images | Check terms | Allowed |
| Offline / caching | Check terms | Allowed |
| Visits from MapTools | 7 | 9 |
| Visit | Visit |
Global Mapper features
- Hundreds of supported formats
- Terrain and contour generation
- Lidar module
- Digitising and analysis
QGIS features
- Vector and raster editing and analysis
- Processing toolbox with hundreds of algorithms
- Print layouts and atlases
- PostGIS, WMS, WFS and vector tiles
- Python plugins
The software is free for any use. Basemaps and data you load keep their own licences.
QGIS alternativesSummary based on public information. Check each provider's current pricing and terms.