Best Free GIS Software of 2025 - Page 3

Discover the globe like never before with unparalleled detail, allowing you to place markers for significant sites within your project and draw shapes or lines right on the map. You can enrich your map with images and videos that provide valuable context, and you have the ability to tilt the view for an ideal 3D perspective or immerse yourself in Street View for an engaging 360-degree experience. Collaborate seamlessly with others, much like you would in Google Docs, and share your narrative through a compelling presentation. Google Earth Pro is available for free on desktop for users who require advanced features, letting you import and export GIS data while also offering the ability to explore historical imagery. This versatile tool is compatible with PC, Mac, or Linux systems. For mobile users, Google Earth offers a convenient way to explore the globe with just a swipe on your smartphone or tablet, and with Google Earth for Chrome, you can effortlessly fly anywhere in moments while enjoying the exploration of 3D cities directly in your browser. Additionally, Earth Studio provides a powerful animation tool for creating visuals using Google Earth’s satellite and 3D imagery, while Google Earth Engine merges a vast collection of satellite imagery and geospatial datasets with the ability to perform planetary-scale analyses, making it an invaluable resource for researchers and enthusiasts alike. With these diverse functionalities, the possibilities for exploration and presentation are virtually endless.

Innovative mapping tools like Route and Clip simplify the process of drawing along roads and boundaries effortlessly. Felt introduces a sleek and modern approach to mapping, akin to contemporary creative software. You will never have to wait for a dataset to load again; while standard internet maps can take over 30 seconds to refresh during pan and zoom actions, Felt achieves this in under 300 milliseconds. It includes a comprehensive library of over 50 carefully curated data layers that are both reliable and of high quality. Each map is assigned a unique link, facilitating easy sharing with your team, the public, or on social media platforms. Felt’s maps are fully functional across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, ensuring a smooth experience. Additionally, it features live multi-player editing, allowing you to invite collaborators and work simultaneously in real time. For the first time ever, sharing maps has become as straightforward as sharing documents and photos, making collaboration even more efficient and enjoyable. With its user-friendly interface, Felt truly revolutionizes the way we interact with maps.

OpenStreetMap offers mapping data utilized by countless websites, mobile applications, and devices. This platform is developed by a collaborative group of mappers dedicated to contributing and updating information about various features such as roads, trails, cafés, and train stations across the globe. It places a strong emphasis on local expertise, with contributors employing tools like aerial imagery, GPS technology, and simple field maps to ensure the accuracy and currency of the data. The community surrounding OpenStreetMap is diverse, enthusiastic, and continually expanding, encompassing hobbyist mappers, GIS experts, server engineers, and humanitarians who focus on mapping areas affected by disasters. For further insights into this vibrant community, one can explore the OpenStreetMap Blog, user diaries, various community blogs, and the OSM Foundation website. OpenStreetMap is categorized as open data, allowing users to utilize it freely for any purpose, provided that proper credit is given to OpenStreetMap and its contributors. This openness fosters collaboration and innovation, making it a valuable resource for a variety of applications.