--- title: "QGIS Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about QGIS Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other GIS products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/185949/QGIS/" page_type: "product" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-10-19" --- # QGIS Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on October 19, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) QGIS ## What is QGIS? QGIS is open source geographic information system software. It allows creating, editing, visualizing, analyzing, and publishing geospatial data. QGIS runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, BSD, and mobile devices. It is available as desktop, server, web browser, and developer libraries. QGIS provides mapping and spatial data management tools. These tools work with vector, raster, and database formats. With QGIS, users can view, edit, and analyze geospatial data. Users can also make printable maps and share geospatial information online. ## What is QGIS used for? [GIS](https://www.capterra.com/gis-software/) Overall rating Based on 100 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 94% Neutral 4% Negative 2% Contact vendor for pricing Free trial not available Includes Free Version Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for QGIS?[Manage this product listing](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/claim_requests/new?auto=true) ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### QGIS 4.5 (100) VS. [### Google Maps](https://www.capterra.com/p/227511/Google-Maps/) [4.7 (1,854)](https://www.capterra.com/p/227511/Google-Maps/reviews/) Starting Price Contact vendor Starting Price Contact vendor Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.2 (100) Ease Of Use 4.8 (1,774) Value For Money 4.6 (74) Value For Money 4.8 (1,211) Customer Service 4.0 (69) Customer Service 4.4 (1,152) ## QGIS alternatives [Google Earth Pro](https://www.capterra.com/p/248994/Google-Earth-Pro/) [4.7 (97)](https://www.capterra.com/p/248994/Google-Earth-Pro/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 98% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/248994/Google-Earth-Pro/) [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/) [4.6 (508)](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 95% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/) [PolicyMap](https://www.capterra.com/p/165945/PolicyMap/) [4.8 (53)](https://www.capterra.com/p/165945/PolicyMap/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 100% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/165945/PolicyMap/) Highest Rated [Maptitude](https://www.capterra.com/p/93335/Maptitude/) [4.8 (88)](https://www.capterra.com/p/93335/Maptitude/reviews/) Starting price $695.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 100% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/93335/Maptitude/) [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/185949/QGIS/alternatives/) ## FAQs about QGIS Overview ### What problems does QGIS solve? QGIS solves fragmented geospatial workflows by combining map creation, layer editing, spatial analysis, satellite-image processing, and data-format conversion in one workspace. Environmental consultants, planners, engineers, researchers, and GIS teams use it to analyze sites, manage raster and vector data, produce maps, and share geographic information without proprietary software costs. Answer based on 67 reviews Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from QGIS? QGIS is most used by engineers, GIS and data analysts, planners, and research and education teams that need to create, analyze, and maintain spatial data. Project managers and technical leaders use it to support site planning, infrastructure decisions, and map-based reporting, while students and academics apply it in coursework and geospatial research. Answer based on 100 reviews Overview ### What company size and industries is QGIS built for? QGIS is built primarily for small businesses, which account for 59% of reviewers, and civil engineering, its top industry at 20%. It serves geospatial professionals, scientists, researchers, students, educators, and open-source developers, with adoption in environmental services (10%) and architecture and planning (8%) for GIS work. Answer based on 100 reviews Features and Usability ### What are the key features of QGIS? QGIS includes data import/export and interoperability for bringing in spatial data and working with other software. Its core mapping features support map creation, geographic maps, categorized symbols, dynamic labeling, and spatial analysis. Data visualization, geocoding, and reporting and statistics help users examine locations, patterns, and spatial data results. Answer based on 22 reviews Integrations ### Which third-party tools and platforms does QGIS integrate with? QGIS integrates with ArcGIS, including ArcGIS REST Server services and ArcGIS Online projects, for moving geospatial data and projects between GIS environments. It also connects with Microsoft Excel databases and formats for importing and processing geographic data. Its official catalog includes GRASS GIS for additional geospatial analysis workflows. Answer based on 39 reviews Getting Started and Support ### How easy is it to onboard and train a team on QGIS? QGIS is straightforward for users with GIS experience and many beginners who need basic mapping tasks. Documentation supports self-guided training, while community guides and videos help teams learn features. Reviewers note that users unfamiliar with GIS terminology, advanced analysis, or the crowded interface may need more time and practice. Answer based on 24 reviews Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does QGIS offer, and how do users rate the experience? QGIS offers Email/Help Desk, FAQ/Forum, and Knowledge Base support. Users generally describe the documentation and community guidance as helpful for learning and troubleshooting, with accessible answers for common issues. Some users report a learning curve when tackling advanced tasks, such as spatial analysis and layer styling. Answer based on 10 reviews Features and Usability ### How easy is QGIS to use for beginners? QGIS makes basic mapping and layer management approachable, but new GIS users can face a noticeable learning curve. Many students and GIS professionals find menus, visual tools, recent projects, and layer controls easy to navigate after initial practice. Print layouts, advanced options, and crowded panels can feel confusing without tutorials or prior GIS knowledge. Answer based on 40 reviews Features and Usability ### How well does QGIS handle geospatial data processing? QGIS processes vector, raster, and geospatial data effectively through built-in analysis tools, format conversion, and plugins. GIS professionals, researchers, planners, and students value its support for varied data sources, spatial analysis, remote sensing, and scripting. Some users encounter slower performance, instability, or limited raster-processing options during heavy workloads or complex calculations. Answer based on 27 reviews ## Features AI summary Based on 1,667 GIS reviews Capterra reviewers highlight these as the features buyers value most when choosing GIS software: - **Data Import/Export** (**52%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Geographic Maps** (**48%**) - **Route Optimization** (**43%**) QGIS supports **Data Import/Export** and **Geographic Maps**, so teams can bring in spatial data from different sources and work with detailed map-based views for analysis and planning. However, it does not offer **Route Optimization**. Instead, it provides **Map Creation** (**39%**), which gives users another way to build and customize visual geographic outputs. Together, these features help businesses manage location data more effectively, improve spatial decision-making, and give teams clear map-based insights for daily work. Data Import/Export 4.5 (47) 72.34% of 47 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Import and export data to and from software applications Geographic Maps 4.5 (48) 66.67% of 48 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Visualize locations on a map Map Creation 4.6 (47) 72.34% of 47 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Create custom maps Data Mapping 4.4 (47) 74.47% of 47 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Track the management and flow of data throughout the organization Data Visualization 4.4 (42) 66.67% of 42 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Graphical representation of data Reporting & Statistics 4.3 (35) 60.00% of 35 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns QGIS 17 features ### All Features - Activity Dashboard: Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities - API: Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases - Color Codes/Icons: A way to visually represent data where different categories of items are marked with different colors - Data Capture and Transfer: Import, collect, and capture data from multiple sources - Data Collection: Process of gathering, measuring, and analyzing accurate data - Data Import/Export: Import and export data to and from software applications - Data Mapping: Track the management and flow of data throughout the organization - Data Visualization: Graphical representation of data - Geocoding: Converting human-readable addresses into geographic coordinates - Geographic Maps: Visualize locations on a map - Geolocation: Determines the location of a device using GPS or an IP address - Interoperability: The ability of two or more systems to exchange information or data. - Map Creation: Create custom maps - Reporting & Statistics: Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns - Reporting/Analytics: View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data - Spatial Analysis: A study of entities based on topological, geographic and geometric attributes. - Third-Party Integrations: Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes --- Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.4 (100) 4.4 Based on 100 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.6 (74) Free Version Basic $0.00 Value for money 4.6 (74) 4.6 Based on 74 reviews ## Integrations [ GRASS GIS](https://www.capterra.com/p/241665/GRASS-GIS/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.0 (69) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.0 (69) 4.0 Based on 69 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.5 Based on 100 reviews Filter by rating 5(59) 4(35) 3(4) 2(0) 1(2) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent MI Maria Isabel S. CEO Market Research ### "Ótima interface visual" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 17, 2025 Ótima, apesar de pontos a melhorar na visualização dos relatórios. O software é intuitivo e visual. É o que se espera de um app usado principalmente para geoprocessamento. Funcionalidades claras permitindo a manipulação de camadas geográficas. Pros A interface é ótima. Consigo encontrar os comandos facilmente, é muito visual e intuitivo comparado aos demais softwares de geoprocessamento. Além de me permitir anexar vários tipos de arquivos. Logo após a inicialização os últimos projetos ficam visualmente expostos o que ajuda o usuário a relembrar o que foi feito recentemente. Cons Acredito que a seção "gerar relatório" e "Layout de impressão" ainda precisa melhorar. O painel com a "composição" e "propriedades do item" adicionado é confuso e se sobrepõe visualmente a outras funções. Para fazer alterações simples como tamanho da fonte é uma busca entre setas e letras minúsculas dentro do menu de opções, não é nada intuitivo. Switched from [GRASS GIS](https://www.capterra.com/p/241665/GRASS-GIS/) o QGIS é muito mais visual e prático, o que eu levaria horas no GRASS levo minutos no QGIS apenas com a interface visual mais clara. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. WN Werner Nell S. Teacher E-Learning ### "Not user friendly and extremely difficult to download " 1.0 Overall Rating 1.0 1.0 Ease of Use 1.0 1.0 Features 1.0 1.0 Customer Service 1.0 1.0 Likelihood to Recommend 0/10 March 6, 2025 It was unfortunately a complete waste of time. Pros There are sadly no pros. I will not be using this product under any circumstances ever again. Cons It was extremely difficult to download. I am a newbie to GIS. All I got was a bunch of files that did not want to open on my computer and took unnecessary space. I cannot waste my time in this way. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AP Aswathy P. Engineer Civil Engineering ### "QGIS REVIEW" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 2.0 2.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 March 5, 2025 Pros Helps with locating the points where we have tested. Cons Its too slow when it comes to performance. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. CS Cooper S. Architectural Historian Architecture & Planning ### "Just use ESRI." 1.0 Overall Rating 1.0 1.0 Ease of Use 1.0 1.0 Features 1.0 1.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 0/10 October 3, 2024 Honestly terrible, i used it for a very brief period of time due to all of its issues. Pros In theory, it was easy to use, however there were always problems. Cons The opensource nature of the product led to a lack of overall support and compatibility. I experienced constant problems, slow-downs, freezes, and crashes with the program. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Usman A. Engineer Civil Engineering ### "QGIS for You Mapping Needs" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 3.0 3.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 August 29, 2024 Pros The software is free and open source which provides benefits to students and on academic projects. Cons The software lacks tools that are available in competitive products such as ArcGIS Pro. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Sandra G. Phd Student Higher Education ### "A Solid Geographic Information System Tool" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 July 19, 2024 QGIS has been a valuable addition to my work with geographic data. The software is feature-rich and user-friendly for a GIS tool. It offers a wide range of capabilities for spatial data analysis and visualization. Additionally, being open-source makes it a cost-effective choice for anyone in need of GIS software. Overall, QGIS is a reliable tool for geographic information system tasks. Pros QGIS provides a comprehensive suite of tools for mapping and spatial analysis. It supports a wide range of data formats and has robust plugins that extend its functionality. The software is also highly customizable, allowing users to tailor it to their specific needs. The community support and extensive documentation make it easier to learn and troubleshoot issues. Cons The interface can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, and there can be a steep learning curve. Some advanced features may require additional training or practice to use effectively. Switched from [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/) The switch was driven by the need for a cost-effective solution that didn't compromise on capabilities and offered flexibility and customization options. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. daniel R. Ingeniero Ambiental Higher Education ### "La facilidad de comprender el mapeo gracias al Qgis" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 February 19, 2024 Pros Que es una herramienta que abre muchas puertas en el ámbito laboral principalmente en el mapeo de sectores estratégicos importantes en la planeación de empresas o consultorías ambientales u otras Cons Que requiere mucha dedicación para comprender el uso de esta herramienta importante para el mapeo. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. PC Pamela C. Laboratory technician Education Management ### "Excellent tool for your GIS proyects" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 January 13, 2024 Qgis has a wide variety of tools that helps in the quality of the product I'm working on. Pros It's a fantastic tool for free. I like the facilites in different types of formats, the compatibility with Python and support. Cons For me everything works fine cause I get what a need in a easy way without problem. I really enjoy using Qgis. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. RA Rita A. research technician Research ### "An innexpensive GIS software ready for everyday use" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 December 7, 2023 It's a tool that can be easily learnt by anyone and be integrated in workflow. The base maps are very good. Pros I appreciate that is free software and it can be used on PCs and MACs alike, without having the bother of having different software depending on the machines. It's straightforward to learn how to use. The map creation allows a variety of possibilities of layout and every kind of user can quickly have a grasp on. Cons The design of the software is rough around the edges and not as appealing as other GIS software. It's like a out dated version of previous ArcGIS versions. In computers where the user doesn't have power over custom downloads it can be a hassle. 3D can make the software a little slow. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. MR Mat R. Ingenieur Renewables & Environment ### "L'outil de cartographie de référence pour les données géographiques" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 28, 2023 Parfait pour mon utilisation régulière. Mes besoins sont tous couverts par Qgis. Pros L'outil ne manque pas d'options et d'avantages ! Le traitement des infos géographiques depuis les bases de données est simple et qualitatif. Création de jolies cartes pour des projets environnementaux. Le rendu est toujours apprécié. Cons Quelques bugs ponctuels qui persistent, sans incidence sur la qualité de l'utilisation globale. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. [View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/185949/QGIS/reviews/) ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. 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