Global Mapper vs QGIS Cloud
Global Mapper
bluemarblegeo.comQGIS Cloud
qgiscloud.comSide by side
| Figure | Global Mapper | QGIS Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $49.92/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · GIS Software | 8.3 (#9) | 7.8 (#28) |
| Headquarters | Hallowell, Maine, United States | Zürich, Switzerland |
| Integrations | The product supports data exchange with ArcGIS formats and can export to Avenza Maps for offline field use; MAPublisher provides a workflow with Adobe Illustrator. | The documentation describes database access using pgAdmin or QGIS Database Manager and background map layers from WMS, WMTS, XYZ, OpenStreetMap, Bing, and Google Maps. |
| Intended users | The maker identifies GIS professionals, surveyors, engineers, government agencies, utilities, environmental consultants, and public safety organizations as users. | The documentation directs commercial or government applications to QGIS Cloud Pro and describes Free for testing and non-commercial activities. |
| Purpose | Global Mapper is a desktop GIS application for geospatial data processing, spatial analysis, geodetic workflows, and deployment-ready mapping. | QGIS Cloud is a hosted Web-GIS platform for publishing QGIS maps, spatial data, and services online. |
| Security | The installation help page states that there are no known security vulnerabilities in the current version of Global Mapper. | The documentation says database access is password protected and encrypted, while QGIS Cloud Pro can restrict access to maps and services. |
| Support | Technical support is included with Global Mapper purchase and covers the current software version; the policy lists security patches, bug fixes, feature enhancements, and standard support. | QGIS Cloud links users to its documentation and Support and FAQ pages. |
Plans
Global Mapper
- Essentials$599 a year
- Advanced$1,199 a year
- Professional$2,199 a year
In their own words
Global Mapper
Global Mapper is a desktop GIS application for geospatial data processing, spatial analysis, geodetic workflows, and preparing maps for deployment. It supports more than 300 vector, raster, elevation, and point cloud formats without add-ons or additional licenses. The Essentials plan covers data viewing and conversion, coordinate transformation and reprojection, and streamed online data sources. Advanced adds terrain and vector analysis, scripting, geodetic analysis, and cartographic production. Professional adds lidar and point cloud processing, drone photogrammetry, complex imagery and raster analysis, automated breakline extraction, and AI/ML image classification. Lidar tools include feature classification, noise removal, point cloud thinning, and vector feature extraction. GeoCalc provides more than 12,000 geodetic definitions and supports modernized NSRS and CSRS. AI-assisted extraction can identify roads, buildings, vegetation, power lines, and other features. It exchanges data with ArcGIS formats, exports to Avenza Maps for offline field use, and supports a workflow with MAPublisher and Adobe Illustrator. Plans start at $599/user/yr; a 14-day trial is listed.
QGIS Cloud
QGIS Cloud is a hosted Web-GIS platform for publishing QGIS maps, spatial data, and services online. Users install its plugin in QGIS Desktop, upload data, and publish maps served with QGIS Server; the maps retain the styling of their desktop projects. The service provides PostgreSQL databases extended with PostGIS, manageable through tools such as pgAdmin and QGIS Database Manager. Maps and data can be shared through WMS, WFS, and WFS-T services, with WFS-T supporting edits. QGIS Cloud also includes web and mobile clients and map printing at resolutions up to 1200 dpi. Database access is password protected and encrypted; Pro can restrict access to maps and services. Maps and services under Free accounts are public, and Free use is limited to non-commercial and non-government activity. QGIS Cloud Free costs nothing and includes unlimited public maps, one PostGIS 3.1 database, 50 MB total, and 10 concurrent database connections. QGIS Cloud Pro is billed at 65 Euro/month.