Global Mapper vs WhiteboxTools
Global Mapper
bluemarblegeo.comWhiteboxTools
whiteboxgeo.comSide by side
| Figure | Global Mapper | WhiteboxTools |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $49.92/mo | $61.67/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 10 |
| Spec score · Point Cloud Software | 8.3 (#1) | 7.6 (#8) |
| Headquarters | Hallowell, Maine, United States | Guelph, Canada |
| 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. | Whitebox works with QGIS, Python notebooks, R workflows, scripts, and local desktop processing. |
| Purpose | Global Mapper is a desktop GIS application for geospatial data processing, spatial analysis, geodetic workflows, and deployment-ready mapping. | Whitebox provides geospatial tools for terrain analysis, hydrology, LiDAR, remote sensing, and vector GIS. |
| 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. | Entry includes best-effort community support, Standard includes a priority support queue during business hours, and Enterprise support is available by agreement. |
Plans
Global Mapper
- Essentials$599 a year
- Advanced$1,199 a year
- Professional$2,199 a year
WhiteboxTools
- Whitebox Open Core (Python, R, QGIS)Free
- LiDAR & Forest Analytics — Entry$740 a year
- Environmental Risk & Compliance — Entry$890 a year
- Network Planning & Operations — Entry$995 a year
- LiDAR & Forest Analytics — Standard$1,270 a year
- Environmental Risk & Compliance — Standard$1,490 a year
- Network Planning & Operations — Standard$1,795 a year
- Environmental Risk & Compliance — EnterprisePriced on request
- LiDAR & Forest Analytics — EnterprisePriced on request
- Network Planning & Operations — EnterprisePriced on request
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.
WhiteboxTools
WhiteboxTools is geospatial software for terrain analysis, hydrology, LiDAR, remote sensing, and vector GIS. Its Whitebox Next Gen library includes more than 700 tools, with open tools accessible through Python, R, and a QGIS plugin. Functions include terrain derivatives from digital elevation models, watershed delineation, flow routing, point-cloud classification, image analysis, change detection, and vector operations. It fits into QGIS, Python notebooks, R workflows, scripts, and local desktop processing. Listed formats range from GeoTIFF, Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF, LAS/LAZ, and COPC to GeoPackage, FlatGeobuf, GeoParquet, GeoJSON, and Shapefile. The maker says processing runs locally, which can support on-premises or offline workflows. Windows, macOS, and Linux are listed. The open core is free; paid Entry plans are $740 a year to $995 a year, and Standard plans are $1,270 a year to $1,795 a year. Pro EULA terms allow opting out of optional telemetry, but not license-validation reporting.