Side by side
GRASS GIS vs QGIS
Both stand on gis and mapping software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+3
GRASS GIS offers extensive geospatial processing through multiple interfaces, with integrations and a large extension repository. It is free and open source, but is provided with no warranty.
Visit GRASS GIS
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
QGIS covers mapping, analysis, reporting, and web-service publishing without a listed software charge. Users in sensitive environments should audit plugins, as submissions do not receive advanced code assessments.
Visit QGISThe facts
| GRASS GIS | QGIS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | grass.osgeo.org | qgis.org |
| On gis and mapping software | #1 of 14 | #3 of 14 |
GRASS GIS: what it does well
- More than 500 geographic-data modules.
- Supports nearly all common GIS file formats.
- Offers GUI, command-line, Python and other interfaces.
- Integrates with QGIS and R.
- Free and open source under GPL (>=v2).
What to know first
- The software comes with no warranty.
- Its broad set of interfaces and tools may require choosing a suitable workflow.
QGIS: what it does well
- Free and open source under GNU GPL version 2 or later
- Includes hundreds of analysis tools
- Community has developed more than 2,000 plugins
- QGIS Server publishes OGC-compatible services
- Long Term Release option prioritizes stability
What to know first
- No QGIS mobile app is listed
- Plugin submissions do not receive advanced code QA
- Mobile field apps listed are third-party apps
Alternatives to GRASS GIS Alternatives to QGIS The whole list