InfoGuides: Geospatial Data & GIS: Access Other GIS Software

Proprietary Software

ESRI/ArcGIS
- This suite of software is in wide use due to it's power and features. Mason has a site license so it can be installed on any Mason-owned computer, and some student computers.
- Includes ArcGIS Pro (desktop, PC only), ArcGIS online, and ArcMap (being phased out in 2026).

Open Source GIS and Geospatial Tools

QGIS
A free, comprehensive (analyzing and visualizing) open desktop GIS software. Accessible through the DiSC Lab. Works on PC and Mac.
CARTO
Online platform for analyzing and visualizing geodata including 3D mapping and harvesting twitter data (semi free).
GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System)
Geospatial data management, image processing, spatial modeling and visualization.
GPS Visualization: Do-it-yourself
An open source mapping tool that creates maps and profiles for GPS data.
GPSBabel
Free software for GPS data conversion and transfer.
Map Warper
An open source that allows you to find, edit, and rectify scanned maps for GIS analysis.
Free GIS Mapping Software & Resources
A comprehensive list of open GIS software, data, and GIS tutorials.
Collector for ArcGIS
Use your smartphone or tablet to collect and update information in the field, whether connected or disconnected.
GISgraphy
Gisgraphy provides forward and reverse geocoding, geolocalisation, and vehicle tracking web services.
GeoDa
GeoDa is a free and open source software tool that serves as an introduction to spatial data science. It is designed to facilitate new insights from data analysis by exploring and modeling spatial patterns.
Mapbox
A mapping and location cloud platform for developers.
Leaflet
A javascript library for interactive maps.
Droptop
Fully functional online GIS tool that lets users drop in existing data or create new data onto the basemap. Allows for common geoprocessing tasks to run right in the browser, with no need to install GIS software.
Map Tiler Cloud
Online maps for web, mobile apps and desktop software. You can change colors, add or remove particular map elements or enhance the map with own geodata.
Integrated Land and Water Information System (ILWIS)
ILWIS comprises a complete package of image processing, spatial analysis and digital mapping.
SAGA GIS
Standing for System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses, SAGA GIS is an open source GIS primarily used for terrain analysis but can be used for other geoscientific methods.

Additional Online Tools

Geocoder (the Bureau of Census): Convert address data to XY and Census Geographies up to 10000 records. See the guide to use this tool.
GeoCoding Tools (Univ. of Penn): Provides various tools for geocoding.
Geotools: Includes various resources related to geography and GIS tools (via Michigan State University).
Mapshaper: A tool for topologically aware shape simplification. Reads and writes Shapefile, GeoJSON and TopoJSON formats.
Pyramid Shader: A specialized application for visualizing terrain models and other digital raster data. Can can create shaded relief, illuminated and shadowed contour lines, hypsometric colors, local hypsometric colors, exposition colors, bivariate colors, slope, aspect, and profile curvature.