What is QGIS?
QGIS (formerly Quantum GIS) is a free, open-source desktop Geographic Information System (GIS) application that allows users to create, edit, visualize, analyze, and publish geospatial information. It supports numerous vector, raster, and database formats, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux. QGIS is widely used for cartography, spatial analysis, and environmental monitoring.
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Real user data aggregated to summarize the product performance and customer experience.
Product scores listed below represent current data. This may be different from data contained in reports and awards, which express data as of their publication date.
87 Likeliness to Recommend
100 Plan to Renew
80 Satisfaction of Cost Relative to Value
Emotional Footprint Overview
Product scores listed below represent current data. This may be different from data contained in reports and awards, which express data as of their publication date.
+98 Net Emotional Footprint
The emotional sentiment held by end users of the software based on their experience with the vendor. Responses are captured on an eight-point scale.
How much do users love QGIS?
Pros
- Helps Innovate
- Continually Improving Product
- Reliable
- Performance Enhancing
How to read the Emotional Footprint
The Net Emotional Footprint measures high-level user sentiment towards particular product offerings. It aggregates emotional response ratings for various dimensions of the vendor-client relationship and product effectiveness, creating a powerful indicator of overall user feeling toward the vendor and product.
While purchasing decisions shouldn't be based on emotion, it's valuable to know what kind of emotional response the vendor you're considering elicits from their users.
Footprint
Negative
Neutral
Positive
Feature Ratings
High Quality Maps
Data Visualization GIS
3D Visuals
Geospatial Technology
Data Integration GIS
Imaging and Production
Mobile
Map Customization
Geo Coding
Spatial Analysis
Map Manipulation
Vendor Capability Ratings
Breadth of Features
Ease of Customization
Business Value Created
Ease of Data Integration
Usability and Intuitiveness
Ease of Implementation
Quality of Features
Vendor Support
Product Strategy and Rate of Improvement
Ease of IT Administration
Availability and Quality of Training
QGIS Reviews
Ritesh N.
- Role: Information Technology
- Industry: Utilities
- Involvement: Business Leader or Manager
Submitted Feb 2026
QGIS is for the self-reliant professional.
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates QGIS from other similar products?
In 2026, QGIS stands out not just because it’s free, but because it functions as a boundary-less workspace. While commercial competitors like ArcGIS Pro build "walled gardens" with curated tools and subscription tiers, QGIS operates more like an open ecosystem
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
In proprietary software, you often hit a ceiling where a specific tool (like high-level spatial statistics, 3D analysis, or network routing) requires an "Advanced" license or a paid extension. In QGIS, the "favorite" part is the Processing Toolbox, which gives you immediate, unfettered access to over 1,000 tools.
What do you dislike most about this product?
Menus are deep, and the "Processing Toolbox" contains hundreds of tools with names that aren't always intuitive. Unlike ArcGIS Pro’s modern "ribbon" interface (which changes based on what you’re doing), QGIS often requires you to hunt through several layers of menus to find a basic setting.
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
As of late February 2026, QGIS is on the verge of its 4.0 release, which moves the software to the Qt6 framework. Version 4.0 is a "bleeding edge" update. Many popular community plugins are still being updated for compatibility. Starting with the LTR ensures you won't be frustrated by "broken" tools or unexpected crashes while the community stabilizes the new version.
Pros
- Helps Innovate
- Continually Improving Product
- Reliable
- Enables Productivity
Please tell us why you think this review should be flagged.
Lina P.
- Role: Information Technology
- Industry: Technology
- Involvement: IT Development, Integration, and Administration
Submitted Feb 2026
Unlocking the power of GIS with QGIS
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates QGIS from other similar products?
QGIS is different because it’s completely free and open source, unlike other tools that charge money. It is accessible to everyone, no matter their budget. It also has a large community that helps improve the software with new features. QGIS can work with different types of maps and data, and I can add extra features through plugins. Its interface is simple for beginners but still powerful enough for experts to do advanced work.
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
My favorite part of QGIS is that it is completely free and open-source. This means I can use it without paying a penny, and it is available to anyone, no matter where they are from or how much money they have. What’s even better is the huge community behind it, constantly making it better. I also love how flexible it is I can work with different types of maps and data, and customize it with plugins to do exactly what you need. It is like getting a powerful tool without the high price tag.
What do you dislike most about this product?
The one thing I do not like about QGIS is that it can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Since it’s so feature-packed, it can be hard to know where to start, especially for beginners. The interface might seem complicated, and it takes some time to learn how to use everything.
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
If you are thinking about using QGIS, I’d recommend taking the time to learn the basics first, even though it might feel a bit tricky at the start. There are lots of free tutorials online that can guide you through it. Do not rush start small with simple tasks and gradually work your way up to more advanced features. Also, make sure to explore the plugins available, as they can really help customize the software for your specific needs.
Pros
- Helps Innovate
- Continually Improving Product
- Reliable
- Performance Enhancing
Please tell us why you think this review should be flagged.
Rasim M.
- Role: Student Academic
- Industry: Engineering
- Involvement: End User of Application
Submitted Jan 2023
Best GIS software for students
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates QGIS from other similar products?
It is an open source GIS software which makes it best for students an early professionals
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
its ease of learning and it being free
What do you dislike most about this product?
Lack of customisation compared to other GIS softwares
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
great choice for first GIS software
Pros
- Unique Features
- Efficient Service
- Inspires Innovation
- Saves Time
Please tell us why you think this review should be flagged.
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