Open-source geospatial softwares
This section provides a curated collection of free and open-source software for geospatial learning, analysis, research and applications. The resources cover the complete geospatial workflow, from GIS mapping and remote sensing to field data collection, spatial databases, web GIS, UAV mapping, 3D analysis and geospatial programming.
The software listed here can support students, teachers, researchers, professionals and practitioners in developing geospatial skills and applying spatial thinking to real-world challenges. Each resource includes information on its key applications, platforms, licence and official website to support informed selection and use.
Desktop GIS and spatial analysis
QGIS
Type
Open-source Desktop GIS
About
QGIS is a free and open-source Geographic Information System for creating, editing, visualising, managing and analysing geospatial data. It supports raster and vector data, spatial analysis, geoprocessing, cartography and a wide range of geospatial formats. It is suitable for education, research, environmental analysis, field mapping and professional GIS workflows. QGIS is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Key Applications
GIS mapping; spatial analysis; geoprocessing; thematic cartography; environmental and land-use analysis.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
GNU General Public License (GPL)
Official Website
QGIS
GRASS GIS
Type
Open-source GIS and Geospatial Processing Software
About
GRASS GIS is a powerful open-source geospatial processing system for raster and vector data. It provides tools for spatial modelling, terrain analysis, hydrology, ecosystem modelling, imagery processing, spatial statistics and large-scale geospatial analysis. GRASS can also be used through Python, R and command-line interfaces, making it useful for advanced research and reproducible workflows.
Key Applications
Raster and vector analysis; terrain modelling; hydrological analysis; spatial modelling; remote sensing; time-series analysis.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
GNU General Public License (GPL)
Official Website
GRASS GIS
SAGA GIS
Type
Open-source Geoscientific Analysis System
About
SAGA GIS (System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses) is an open-source GIS platform designed particularly for scientific and environmental geospatial analysis. It provides tools for terrain analysis, hydrology, geostatistics, raster processing, image analysis and spatial modelling. It can complement QGIS through its extensive analytical toolsets.
Key Applications
Terrain analysis; hydrology; geostatistics; raster analysis; environmental modelling; scientific GIS.
Platforms
Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and macOS
License
GNU General Public License (GPL) / GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), depending on component.
Official Website
SAGA GIS
Remote sensing and Earth observation
ESA SNAP
Type
Open-source Earth Observation and Remote Sensing Software
About
SNAP (Sentinel Application Platform) is an open-source software platform developed by the European Space Agency for processing and analysing Earth observation data. It provides specialised tools for Sentinel satellite missions and supports optical, radar and other satellite datasets. It is particularly useful for image visualisation, preprocessing, classification and analysis of satellite imagery.
Key Applications
Sentinel-1 SAR processing; Sentinel-2 optical imagery; image preprocessing; classification; Earth observation analysis.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
Open-source
Official Website
ESA SNAP
Orfeo Tool Box ( OTB)
Type
Open-source Remote Sensing and Image Processing Software
About
Orfeo ToolBox is an open-source software library and application set for processing high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery. It provides algorithms for image filtering, segmentation, classification, feature extraction, geometric correction and large-scale image processing. OTB can be used independently or integrated into GIS and Python-based workflows. It is distributed under the Apache 2.0 open-source licence.
Key Applications
Satellite image processing; image classification; segmentation; feature extraction; change detection; large-scale Earth observation.
Platforms
Windows and Linux
License
Apache License 2.0
Official Website
Orfeo ToolBox
Geospatial data processing and infrastructure
GDAL
Type
Open-source Geospatial Data Processing Library
About
GDAL (Geospatial Data Abstraction Library) is a widely used open-source library for reading, writing, converting and processing raster and vector geospatial datasets. It supports a large number of geospatial formats and provides command-line tools for data conversion, reprojection, mosaicking, clipping and other processing tasks. GDAL forms part of the underlying geospatial infrastructure used by many GIS applications.
Key Applications
Data format conversion; raster processing; vector processing; coordinate transformation; data preparation; geospatial automation.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
MIT-style Open Source License
Official Website
GDAL
PostGIS
Type
Open-source Spatial Database Extension
About
PostGIS extends the PostgreSQL relational database system with support for storing, querying and analysing geospatial data. It enables users to perform spatial queries, geometry operations, spatial indexing and analysis on large datasets. It is particularly useful for organisations and researchers working with large or multi-user geospatial databases.
Key Applications
Spatial databases; spatial queries; large geospatial datasets; spatial indexing; database-driven GIS applications.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
GNU General Public License (GPL)
Official Website
PostGIS
Web GIS and geospatial data sharing
GeoServer
Type
Open-source Web GIS Server
About
GeoServer is an open-source server for publishing and sharing geospatial data through web services. It supports widely used open standards including Web Map Service (WMS), Web Feature Service (WFS) and Web Coverage Service (WCS). GeoServer can connect to databases and geospatial files and is useful for developing web-based mapping and spatial data infrastructure.
Key Applications
Web mapping; geospatial data publishing; WMS/WFS services; spatial data infrastructure; web GIS applications.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
GNU General Public License (GPL)
Official Website
GeoServer
GeoNode
Type
Open-source Geospatial Data Sharing Platform
About
GeoNode is an open-source platform for creating, managing, publishing and sharing geospatial datasets and maps through the web. It provides tools for cataloguing spatial data, creating maps, managing users and sharing geospatial information. It can be used to develop institutional or community-based spatial data portals.
Key Applications
Spatial data catalogues; web mapping; data sharing; geospatial portals; collaborative GIS.
Platforms
Linux and server environments
License
Open-source
Official Website
GeoNode
MapLibre
Type
Open-source Web Mapping Library
About
MapLibre is an open-source mapping technology for creating interactive web and mobile maps. It supports vector tiles, custom map styles and interactive geospatial visualisations. It provides an open alternative for developing modern web mapping applications without depending on a proprietary mapping SDK.
Key Applications
Interactive web maps; vector-tile mapping; custom map visualisation; web GIS applications; mobile mapping.
Platforms
Web, Android and iOS
License
Open-source
Official Website
MapLibre
Field data collection and mobile GIS
QField
Type
Open-source Mobile GIS and Field Data Collection
About
QField is an open-source mobile GIS application designed for collecting, editing and managing geospatial data in the field. It is closely integrated with QGIS and allows users to take GIS projects into the field using mobile devices. It is useful for field surveys, environmental monitoring, infrastructure mapping and community mapping.
Key Applications
Field data collection; GPS mapping; environmental surveys; infrastructure mapping; community mapping; mobile GIS.
Platforms
Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux
License
Open-source
Official Website
QField
Mergin Maps
Type
Open-source Mobile GIS and Field Data Collection
About
Mergin Maps provides tools for collecting and synchronising geospatial data between field teams and GIS projects. It integrates with QGIS and supports collaborative field data collection using mobile devices. It can be used for environmental surveys, asset mapping, infrastructure inventories and community-based data collection.
Key Applications
Mobile GIS; field surveys; collaborative mapping; environmental data collection; asset mapping.
Platforms
Android, iOS and Windows
License
Open-source
Official Website
Mergin Maps
Epicollect5
Type
Open-source mobile and web-based data collection platform
About
Epicollect5 is a free and open-source platform for collecting, managing and visualising field data using smartphones and web browsers. It enables users to design customised data-collection forms, capture location information and other attributes in the field, and synchronise collected data to a central project database. It can be used for environmental surveys, biodiversity monitoring, community mapping, infrastructure inventories and field-based research.
Key Applications
Field surveys; environmental monitoring; biodiversity data collection; community mapping; infrastructure inventories; location-based data collection.
Platforms
Android, iOS and Web
License
Open-source
Official Website
Epicollect5
UAV, photogrammetry and 3D geospatial data
OpenDroneMap
Type
Open-source Drone Mapping and Photogrammetry Software
About
OpenDroneMap is an open-source toolkit for processing aerial imagery captured by drones. It can transform overlapping photographs into geospatial products such as orthophotos, digital surface models, digital terrain models and 3D models. It provides an accessible platform for drone-based mapping and photogrammetry.
Key Applications
Drone mapping; orthomosaic generation; DSM/DTM generation; 3D reconstruction; agricultural and environmental mapping.
Platforms
Windows, macOS, and Linux
License
Open-source
Official Website
OpenDroneMap
CloudCompare
Type
Open-source 3D Point Cloud Processing Software
About
CloudCompare is an open-source application for processing and analysing 3D point clouds and meshes. It provides tools for visualisation, measurement, registration, segmentation, comparison and geometric analysis of 3D datasets. It is particularly useful for LiDAR, photogrammetry and 3D surveying workflows. The software is distributed under GPL-based open-source licensing.
Key Applications
LiDAR processing; point-cloud analysis; 3D surveying; photogrammetry; terrain and surface comparison.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
GNU General Public License (GPL) / LGPL for selected components
Official Website
CloudCompare
PDAL
Type
Open-source Point Cloud Processing Library
About
PDAL (Point Data Abstraction Library) is an open-source software library and command-line toolkit for processing point-cloud data. It supports filtering, transformation, classification, conversion and analysis of large point-cloud datasets and is particularly useful for LiDAR and 3D geospatial workflows.
Key Applications
LiDAR processing; point-cloud classification; format conversion; filtering; 3D geospatial analysis.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
Open-source
Official Website
PDAL
Advanced geospatial analysis and modelling
WhiteboxTools
Type
Open-source Geospatial Analysis and Modelling Software
About
WhiteboxTools is an open-source geospatial analysis platform containing a large collection of tools for terrain analysis, hydrology, raster processing, LiDAR analysis and spatial modelling. It is particularly useful for environmental and physical geography applications and can be integrated with GIS and programming workflows.
Key Applications
Terrain analysis; watershed modelling; hydrology; LiDAR processing; raster analysis; environmental modelling.
Platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux
License
Open-source
Official Website
WhiteboxTools
CesiumJS
Type
Open-source 3D Geospatial Visualisation Library
About
CesiumJS is an open-source JavaScript library for creating interactive 3D globes, maps and geospatial visualisations on the web. It supports terrain, satellite imagery, 3D buildings, point clouds and time-dynamic geospatial data. It is useful for advanced web-based visualisation of large and complex spatial datasets.
Key Applications
3D GIS; terrain visualisation; 3D city models; satellite imagery; point-cloud visualisation; digital twins.
Platforms
Web
License
Apache License 2.0
Official Website
CesiumJS