LibGuides: Data & GIS Lab: GIS Software

GIS Desktop Software

ArcGIS Desktop / ArcGIS Pro
Desktop is the most common commercial GIS software on the market. Pro is the latest industry GIS Software that many are transiting to. Both ArcGIS Desktop and Pro are used for creating and using maps, compiling geographic data, analyzing mapped information, sharing and discovering geographic information, using maps and geographic information in a range of applications, and managing geographic information in a database.
- UCSD students can access a student license by following these instructions.
- UCSD faculty and staff can acquire a license by contacting ETS.
QGIS
GIS is a user-friendly open source Geographic Information System (GIS) that is commonly used around the world. QGIS is an official project of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). QGIS will run on on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Cartographic - GIS for Mac
Created for Mac, Cartographica allows users to create maps, analyze data, and convert data between formats. Its design emphasizes usability. It is one of the few GIS software options that was made for macOS.
DIVA - GIS
DIVA-GIS is a free computer program for mapping and geographic data analysis. It also provides free spatial data, and emphasizes mapping and analyzing biodiversity data with their program. It can also read and write standard data formats, such as Esri shapefiles.
GRASS GIS
GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) is a free and open source GIS software suite used for geospatial data management and analysis, image processing, graphics and maps production, spatial modeling, and visualization. It is a founding member of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo).
MapInfo
MapInfo is a commercial software that allows users to visualize, analyse, edit, interpret, understand and output data to reveal relationships, patterns, and trends. MapInfo allows users to explore spatial data within a dataset, symbolize features, and create maps.

Mobile GIS Software

- ArcGIS Survey123
  Is a simple and intuitive form-centric data gathering solution that makes creating, sharing, and analyzing surveys possible. The difference with this survey tool is that location is a core component of the survey design. Options for creating include a web designer or a desktop application that uses XLSForms (spreadsheets)
- Collector for ArGIS
  Use your smartphone or tablet to collect and update information in the field, whether connected or disconnected to the Internet.
- ESRI mobile app
  Navigate maps, collect and report data, and perform GIS analysis from your smartphone or tablet.
- GIS Cloud
  GIS Cloud Mobile Data Collection is a tool for web and mobile devices which allows you to collect data in real time using custom-designed forms. Offline mode is available.
- GPS Map Camera - Geo Camera
  Geo Camera allows the user to take a photograph then add UTM coordinates or geographical location.

Web Hosted GIS Software

ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online is an online, collaborative web GIS that allows you to use, create, and share maps, scenes, apps, layers, analytics, and data. It hooks into other ArcGIS programs and apps.
CartoDB
CARTO Builder is a web-based drag and drop analysis tool that allows you to analyze location data.
GIS Cloud
Is a web server based GIS software that enables users to share private maps, create interactive maps, collect and manage field data.
MapBox
Is a location data platform for mobile and web applications. Built on vector maps, it provides an advanced approach to mapping where data is delivered to the device and precisely rendered in real-time.
MapServer
MapServer is an Open Source platform for publishing spatial data and interactive mapping applications to the web. MapServer is released under an MIT-style license, and runs on all major platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X). MapServer is not a full-featured GIS system.
Scribble Maps
Scribble Maps and Scribble Maps Pro are both free products that enable users to create customized maps online. Users can mark up maps, measure distances, import KMLs, Shapefiles, tabular files, add placemarks, text, images, and shapes. Finished maps may be embedded into webpages or exported in various formats.