Chapter 07

GIS Software & Tools Overview

From free open-source platforms to enterprise solutions, GIS software provides the tools for spatial data management, analysis, and visualization.

QGISArcGIS ProGoogle Earth EngineArcGIS OnlinePostGISLeaflet

1000+QGIS Plugins↗ Community ecosystem

70+ PBGEE Data↗ Free satellite data

350K+ orgsArcGIS Users↗ Global enterprise

Theory & Foundations

GIS software ranges from desktop applications (QGIS, ArcGIS) to cloud platforms (GEE, ArcGIS Online) to programming libraries (GeoPandas, Leaflet).

QGIS: Free, open-source, cross-platform with 1000+ plugins. Supports all major formats. Best for beginners and professionals who want customizable, no-cost GIS.

ArcGIS Pro: Esri's flagship product. 3D analysis, deep learning tools, ModelBuilder for automation. Industry standard in government and consulting.

Google Earth Engine: Cloud-based platform with 70+ PB of satellite data. JavaScript/Python API for planetary-scale analysis without downloading data.

Web GIS: ArcGIS Online, Mapbox, CARTO, Kepler.gl enable interactive map publishing and collaborative analysis through browsers.

In-Depth Coverage

Desktop GIS Comparison

The two dominant desktop platforms serve different markets.

QGIS: Free, 1000+ plugins, community-driven, cross-platform
ArcGIS Pro: $100+/year, enterprise integration, 3D, ModelBuilder
Both support: All major formats, Python scripting, cartography
QGIS advantage: No cost, customizable, transparent
ArcGIS advantage: Support, deep learning, 3D analysis

Cloud & Web GIS

Modern platforms bring GIS to the browser.

Google Earth Engine: Free for research, petabyte-scale
ArcGIS Online: Enterprise web maps and apps
Mapbox: Custom map design and navigation
CARTO: Location intelligence for business
Kepler.gl: Open-source large-scale visualization

Key Techniques

Software installationInterface navigationData loadingSymbologyLayout creation

Data Visualization

GIS Software Market Share (%)

QGIS: 45%
ArcGIS: 35%
GEE: 12%
Other: 8%

GIS Software Selection

🟢QGISFree • Open-source • Cross-platform
🔵ArcGIS ProEnterprise • 3D • Deep Learning
☁️GEECloud • Petabyte-scale • Free

Practical Workflow

Install QGIS (free) or ArcGIS Pro (license)
Learn interface: layers panel, map canvas, toolbox
Add data: drag files or connect databases
Style layers: symbology, labels, classification
Perform analysis: buffer, overlay, spatial join
Create map layouts with cartographic elements
Export: PDF, image, GeoPackage, web map

Software & Tools

QGISFreeDesktop GIS — Complete GIS analysis

ArcGIS Pro$100+/yrDesktop GIS — Enterprise analysis

Video Tutorials

▶ QGIS Complete TutorialKlas Karlsson · YouTube · 4 hrs ▶ ArcGIS Pro Getting StartedEsri · YouTube · 2 hrs

Real-World Application

QGIS is used by 78% of GIS professionals in developing countries due to zero licensing cost. The World Bank recommends QGIS for government GIS programs in low-income nations.

Real-World Projects

Portland City GIS Migration📍 USA

City migrated 200 staff from ArcGIS to QGIS.

Impact: Saved $500K/year in licensing costs.

Case Study

The City of Portland migrated from ArcGIS to QGIS for 200+ staff, saving $500K annually in licensing while maintaining full analytical capability.

Problem-Based Learning

P1 Choose GIS software for a government department in a developing country

Budget of $0 for software licenses. Need: cadastral mapping, spatial analysis, web publishing.

Solution: Deploy QGIS + PostGIS + GeoServer stack. Train 50 staff. Develop custom plugins for cadastral workflows.

QGISPostGISGeoServerLeaflet

✅ Full GIS capability at zero software cost. $200K saved annually vs commercial alternatives.

Knowledge Check

1. Which GIS software is free and open-source?