GIS software are computer-based tools designed to capture, store, retrieve, manage, display and analyze all types of geographic and spatial data. This software lets users produce maps and other graphic displays of graphical information for analysis and presentation. GIS is more than just software. People and methods are combined with geospatial software and tools, to enable spatial analysis, manage large datasets and display information in maps/graphical forms.
Varieties of GIS software can be categories as commercial software, free(open) software, or open-source software. While on the other hand come in different formats such as desktop, online/cloud and mobile. Here is the top software used for geospatial mapping and analysis by GIS professionals around the globe.
Environmental Systems Research Institute has been creating GIS software for over 30 years. Recognized as the leader in GIS software, it’s been estimated that about seventy percent of GIS users use Esri products. Esri overhauled its software packages into an interoperable model called ArcGIS (the desktop GIS is referred to as ArcMap). In addition, Esri has developed plug-ins called extensions which add to the functionality of ArcGIS.
ArcGIS Pro is also an ESRI product widely used by many as it modernizes GIS with a ribbon interface, 64-bit processing and 3D integration. It’s a massive overhaul with a focus on quickness, ingenuity and cartography. Even though ArcGIS Pro is a big machine with lots of moving parts, it earns top spot.
ArcGIS Online is a complete mapping and analysis solution. It can be used on its own or expand your work using other ArcGIS products. The work you do can be shared and integrated across ArcGIS. ArcGis online composes Developer tools, field operations, and advanced workflows
GIS is an open-source GIS software used for analysing and editing geospatial data. This open-source platform composes/exports graphical maps and depends on raster/vector layers. Users can use QGIS for supporting shapefiles, coverage, personal geodatabases and MapInfo. QGIS plugins still give you the power to analyze like the Incredible Hulk. Some of the major features in Qgis is DB Manager, Map Composer, Spatial bookmarks, Annotation tools, QGIS browser, On the fly reprojection, OpenStreet Map data
Google Earth Pro is a 3D interactive globe that can be used to aid planning, analysis and decision making. Google Earth is the user-friendly GIS software and it allows users to quickly and easily view high-quality satellite imagery from around the world and make simple polygon or polyline layers. This platform also has the historical imagery tool which is extremely useful for geographic research.
Global Mapper is an affordable and easy-to-use GIS application that offers access to an unparalleled variety of spatial datasets and provides just the right level of functionality to satisfy both experienced GIS professionals and beginning users
GRASS or Geographic Resources Analysis Support open source GIS software is a free open software used for geospatial data analysis and management. Graphics, image processing and maps production are other core features of the platform. It is powered by a 3D-raster. Major Features of GRASS GIS are temporal framework, erosion modeling, watershed analysis, point data analysis, solution transport, map creation.
SAGA or System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses is meant primarily for geodata analysis and processing. This open-source GIS software has a robust API, programmed within the system designed and object-oriented C++ language. It is specifically used for georeferencing and cartographic projections. Features of SAGA are intuitive data management and visualization, arid interpolation of scattered point data, image analysis, portable, scripting through the command line, modular structure, geodata handling, etc
Whitebox Geospatial Analysis Tools is an open-source and cross-platform Geographic information system and remote sensing software package that is distributed under the GNU General Public License. Whitebox GAT is intended to provide a platform for advanced geospatial data analysis with applications in both environmental research and the geomatics industry more broadly. It was envisioned from the outset as providing an ideal platform for experimenting with novel geospatial analysis methods
MapInfo Professional is its leading GIS product containing the most advanced analytical tools. MapInfo also offers plug-ins called add-ons to enhance the functionality of MapInfo Professional. For the development side, MapInfo offers Map-X. Through an Active X component, developers can embed mapping applications into other applications such as Excel. Although it can be used for a variety of analysis, the makers of MapInfo market the software more towards the business sector.
Hexagon Geospatial’s GeoMedia Professional is a geographic information system management solution for map generation and the analysis of geographic information with smart tools that capture and edit spatial data. GeoMedia is used for: creating geographic data; managing geospatial databases; joining business data, location intelligence and geographic data together; creating hard and soft-copy maps; conduct analysis in ‘real-time’; base platform for multiple applications, geographic data validation, publishing geospatial information and analyzing mapped information
This is a powerful, user-friendly, interoperable GIS used by thousands of users worldwide. It is easy to work in a variety of formats with gvSIG Desktop, vector and raster files, databases and remote services. There are always available all kinds of tools to analyze and manage your geographic information. gvSIG Desktop is designed to be an easily extensible solution, allowing thus continually improving the software application and developing tailor-made solutions.
AutoCAD Map 3D is a user-friendly GIS software used by businesses for GIS mapping. This intuitive system allows users to take topographical information from GIS and CAD data to create models for analysis. Map 3D is capable of taking hundreds of data points for a large geographic area and isolating the features you need automatically. Some of the top features of AutoCAD Map 3D include GIS analysis, 3D navigation, modeling tools, and the AutoCAD Ribbon.
AutoCAD Map 3D has a wide range of apps that can integrate into the software such as landscape, structural, analysis apps, and others to expand the features of the platform. AutoCAD Map 3D has a mobile app available for iOS, Android, and the web available so that you can take your work while on the go. AutoCAD Map 3D is a powerful GIS program and 3D mapping tool for managing and analyzing geospatial data.
The Maptitude Mapping Software is a full-featured mapping package for Windows. Designed for ease-of-use, data visualization, and geographic analysis, Maptitude comes with comprehensive nationwide and worldwide maps, including complete US street maps, and Census tract and ZIP Code boundaries and demographics. Caliper also produces TransCAD for transportation and logistics. TransCAD is used for solving key analytical problems in transportation planning, management, and operations. TransCAD is used extensively for transportation database development and maintenance, demand forecasting, operations management, and vehicle routing and scheduling.
RockWorks is a comprehensive 3D modeling program that offers visualization and modeling of spatial data and subsurface data. The app also offers GIS software capabilities designed to be workable for small and large businesses dealing with real science, and it achieves this by way of geology or topography while being intuitive and capable of more integrations. RockWorks is used in the petroleum, environmental, geotechnical, and mining industries for surface and subsurface data visualization. It employs popular tools such as maps, logs, cross-sections, fence diagrams, solid models, and volume calculations. The app offers numerous options for analyzing your surface and subsurface data and accepts many different data types, such as stratigraphy, lithology, downhole geochemistry/geophysics/geotechnical measurements, color intervals, fractures, and aquifer data.
MapViewer is a pioneer in GIS software, bringing a lot of powerful new tools to businesses in making informed decisions, managing territories, and providing a whole new kind of CRM. Today, geospatial data is only growing with mobile phones and intelligent devices, which pretty unanimously have a global positioning system (GPS). Coordinating with advanced, interactive global map systems, GIS software is going to be the next big data type to capitalize on and evolve through integration in all industries.
