Terrasolid TerraScan vs WhiteboxTools
Terrasolid TerraScan
terrasolid.comWhiteboxTools
whiteboxgeo.comSide by side
| Figure | Terrasolid TerraScan | WhiteboxTools |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €47.50/mo | $61.67/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 10 |
| Spec score · Point Cloud Software | 7.4 (#13) | 7.6 (#8) |
| File formats | Supported import and export formats include LAS, LAZ, TerraScan Binary, TerraScan Fast Binary, and user-defined ASCII formats. | Listed formats include GeoTIFF, Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF, LAS/LAZ, COPC, GeoPackage, FlatGeobuf, GeoParquet, GeoJSON, and Shapefile. |
| Headquarters | Helsinki, Finland | Guelph, Canada |
| Security and privacy | Terrasolid says databases holding personal data are protected by firewalls, passwords, and other technical measures and kept in locked premises with access limited to designated persons. | The Pro EULA says the software may collect non-personally identifiable usage statistics, performance metrics, and error logs; users may opt out of optional telemetry but not license-validation reporting. |
| Support | The maintenance agreement describes support as replies to technical questions and reasonable efforts to resolve problems, while excluding training and consulting. | Entry includes best-effort community support, Standard includes a priority support queue during business hours, and Enterprise support is available by agreement. |
Plans
Terrasolid TerraScan
- TerraScan UAV — 2-month subscription€370, paid once
- TerraScan Lite — annual subscription€570 a year
- TerraScan Full — 2-month subscription€612, paid once
- TerraScan UAV — 6-month subscription€738, paid once
- TerraScan UAV — annual subscription€1,026 a year
- TerraScan Full — 6-month subscription€1,245, paid once
- TerraScan Full — annual subscription€1,710 a year
- TerraScan Lite — perpetual license€1,900, paid once
- TerraScan UAV — perpetual license€3,420, paid once
- TerraScan Full — perpetual license€5,700, paid once
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
Terrasolid TerraScan
Terrasolid TerraScan is Windows desktop software for managing, processing, and visualizing point clouds, including tools for creating 3D vector data from laser points. Automatic classification routines can be refined with semi-automatic and manual tools. It can generate 3D building vector models up to LOD2 over large areas and vectorize power lines. Classification routines can be combined into macros for batch processing, and TerraBatch can run macros on other workstations over a LAN. Import and export formats include LAS, LAZ, TerraScan Binary, TerraScan Fast Binary, and user-defined ASCII formats. TerraScan supports point-cloud registration, E57, point classification, and geospatial analysis. The available editions are Full, UAV, and Lite, with network or node-locked licenses. A network license allows multiple users on the same network to share product licenses. Use cases listed by the maker include urban planning, asset management, emergency response, mapping, powerline, road, railway, water resources, forestry, and mining. Paid plans include subscriptions and perpetual licenses; a free trial is available, and no free plan 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.