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qgis/QGIS

QGIS is a free, cross-platform desktop geographic information system for viewing, editing, analyzing and mapping spatial data.

Open-source alternative to:ArcGIS

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What is it?

QGIS is a desktop geographic information system (GIS) that runs on Linux, Windows and macOS. It lets users open, create, edit and analyze spatial data, including raster, vector, mesh and point cloud formats, from local files, spatial databases such as PostGIS and web services such as WMS and WFS.

The application includes a wide range of cartographic tools, with fine control over symbology, labeling, legends and print layouts, plus a processing framework with hundreds of built-in algorithms and access to providers such as GDAL, SAGA and GRASS. Models, batch processing and a Python and C++ API (PyQGIS) support automation and custom tooling, and a plugin ecosystem extends the core features.

The project also includes QGIS Server, a headless map server that implements standards such as WMS, WFS and OGC API for Features and can run behind Apache or nginx or in Docker. QGIS is licensed under GPL-2.0 or later and is developed with Qt and C++.

Key features

  • 01Reads and writes raster, vector, mesh and point cloud formats, including GeoPackage, Shapefile and PostGIS.
  • 02Reprojects data on the fly between coordinate reference systems.
  • 03Offers 2D and 3D map rendering with detailed symbology, labeling and print layouts.
  • 04Provides a processing framework with built-in algorithms and access to GDAL, SAGA and GRASS.
  • 05Supports automation through a model designer, batch processing and PyQGIS.
  • 06Includes QGIS Server for publishing maps via WMS, WFS and OGC API for Features.

Use cases

  • Visualizing and analyzing spatial datasets such as land use, transportation networks or environmental data.
  • Producing printed or PDF maps with automated atlas and report generation.
  • Publishing map services to web applications through QGIS Server.
  • Automating geoprocessing workflows with Python scripts or models.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Download the installer for your platform from the QGIS.org download page

  2. 2

    Or follow the building guide (INSTALL.md) to build QGIS from source

Things to know

  • Licensed under GPL-2.0, a copyleft license that requires derivative works to remain open source.
  • Building from source is a multi-step process described in a separate guide.

Topics

#gis#mapping#geospatial#cartography#spatial-analysis#python#cpp#qt

FAQ

What is QGIS?
QGIS is a free, cross-platform desktop geographic information system for viewing, editing, analyzing and mapping spatial data. QGIS is a desktop geographic information system (GIS) that runs on Linux, Windows and macOS. It lets users open, create, edit and analyze spatial data, including raster, vector, mesh and point cloud formats, from local files, spatial databases such as PostGIS and web services such as WMS and WFS.
Is QGIS free to use? What license does it have?
QGIS is open source under the GPL-2.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is QGIS still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to QGIS was on Nov 6, 2026.
What can I use QGIS for?
Visualizing and analyzing spatial datasets such as land use, transportation networks or environmental data. Producing printed or PDF maps with automated atlas and report generation. Publishing map services to web applications through QGIS Server. Automating geoprocessing workflows with Python scripts or models.
How do I install QGIS?
Download the installer for your platform from the QGIS.org download page Or follow the building guide (INSTALL.md) to build QGIS from source
Where can I get QGIS?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/qgis/QGIS

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