#18 in Business IntelligenceUpdated 2026-08

QGIS

by QGIS · Free and open source desktop GIS for mapping and spatial analysis

25 — BenchRank score out of 100

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Overview

QGIS is a free and open source desktop application for spatial visualisation, mapping and analysis, available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It covers cartographic design and print layouts, digitising of points, lines, polygons and meshes, and an analysis toolbox whose tools can be combined into reproducible workflows. It reads a range of data sources and formats and works with standards-based web services.

Best for: Mapmakers and analysts wanting free desktop GIS for cartography, editing and spatial analysis
Pricing: No prices are shown; QGIS is a free download licensed under GNU GPLv2+, with optional donations and sustaining membership.
Runs on: iOSAndroidmacOSWindows

Strengths and trade-offs

Strengths

Free and open source under GNU GPLv2+, owned by its contributors
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux
Layout designer for large-format print maps, atlases and reports
Third-party plugins extend the built-in analysis toolbox

Trade-offs

Desktop-first; cloud and mobile publishing needs further extension
Support comes from community groups or paid providers, not a vendor
Funded by donations and sustaining members, not a support contract

How this score is made up

Each dimension is scored out of 100 and combined into the headline score using fixed weights.

MCP support: 0 out of 100
Documentation: 50 out of 100
Agent friendliness: 35 out of 100
Changelog: 0 out of 100
Marketing site structure: 45 out of 100
Operational trust: 25 out of 100

Measured, but not part of the score

Useful to know, but not a mark for or against the product — so these do not affect the ranking.

Openness: 60 out of 100
Maintenance: 100 out of 100

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