QGIS — GIS (Open Source)

QGIS is an open-source GIS solution from QGIS project. Compare it against 80 other GIS tools on FreeSoftwareX — by features, licensing and price — and request a quote or demo free in 2026.

What is QGIS?

QGIS is open source — its source code is publicly available and free to use, modify and self-host, usually with an active community and no licensing fees. It is categorised under GIS and published by QGIS project. Buyers typically evaluate QGIS when they need a dependable GIS option and want to weigh the trade-offs between free, open-source and paid tools before committing.

QGIS alternatives

If QGIS isn't the right fit, compare these GIS alternatives side by side:

ARC/INFOArcGISArcGIS OnlineArcGIS ServerArcIMSArcMapArcSDEAutoCAD Map 3DAutodesk MapGuideAutodesk TopobaseBentley MapCadcorp SISCapawareCartoDB (CARTO)

Frequently asked questions

Is QGIS free?
Yes. QGIS is open source and free to use, with no purchase cost for the core product.
What are the best QGIS alternatives?
Popular GIS alternatives to QGIS include ARC/INFO, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server. See the full list of GIS on FreeSoftwareX.
What type of software is QGIS?
QGIS is an open-source GIS tool developed by QGIS project.

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