Global Mapper vs QGIS
Global Mapper
bluemarblegeo.com
QGIS
qgis.orgSide by side
| Figure | Global Mapper | QGIS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $49.92/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · GIS Software | 8.3 (#9) | 7.9 (#24) |
| Spec score · GIS and Mapping Software | 8.1 (#2) | 7.7 (#7) |
| Spec score · Geo Tools | 8.1 (#4) | 7.7 (#13) |
| Founded | 1993 | 2002 |
| Purpose | Global Mapper is a desktop GIS application for geospatial data processing, spatial analysis, geodetic workflows, and deployment-ready mapping. | QGIS provides spatial visualization and decision-making tools, including tools to create, edit, analyze, and publish geospatial information. |
| Security | The installation help page states that there are no known security vulnerabilities in the current version of Global Mapper. | QGIS says desktop and server are written to limit SQL injections and other known security vectors, and QGIS Server has been hardened against SQL injections. |
| 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 provides community support through its Discourse forum, GIS StackExchange, chat channels, and local user groups. |
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
QGIS is free, open-source software for creating, editing, analyzing, visualizing, and publishing geospatial information. Its layout designer produces print maps, while reporting tools can assemble atlases and reports containing maps and tabular material. It includes hundreds of analysis tools and supports visual workflows that can be reproduced. QGIS works with many data sources and formats and can use or create web services based on industry standards. More than 2,000 community-developed plugins add capabilities. QGIS Server publishes projects and layers through OGC-compatible WMS, WMTS, WFS, and WCS services. The download page offers a Long Term Release for users who prefer stability over the latest features. The project lists third-party mobile field apps, including QField, Mergin Maps, and IntraMaps Roam; these are separate from QGIS mobile apps. QGIS is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or later and has community support through forums, GIS StackExchange, chat channels, and local user groups. The free plan costs nothing.