20 Best GIS Software Applications with Download link

Discover the top 20 essential GIS software every geospatial professional should know.

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1 20 Essential GIS Tools Every Geospatial Professional Should Know

20 Essential GIS Tools Every Geospatial Professional Should Know

Introduction

In today’s technologically advanced world, Geographic Information System (GIS) tools have become indispensable for geospatial professionals. These tools provide the means to analyze and visualize spatial data, enabling professionals to make informed decisions in various fields such as urban planning, environmental management, transportation, and more. In this article, cartogeek.com will explore the top 20 essential GIS tools that every geospatial professional should know. Let’s dive in and discover how these tools can enhance your work efficiency and effectiveness.

20 Essential GIS Tools Every Geospatial Professional Should Know

GIS tools offer a wide range of capabilities, allowing professionals to collect, manage, analyze, and display spatial data. Here are the ten essential GIS tools that every geospatial professional should be familiar with:

1.Easri ArcGIS 10.3

ArcGIS 10.3 is a version of Esri’s ArcGIS software that was released in late 2014. While it is not the most recent version available, it still offers a wide range of geospatial capabilities.

2.ArcGIS 10.4

ArcGIS 10.4 is a previous version of the ArcGIS software suite developed by Esri. It introduced several new features and enhancements to improve geospatial analysis, mapping, and data management capabilities.

3.ArcGIS 10.5

ArcGIS 10.5 is a previous version of Esri’s flagship GIS software suite, offering a range of tools and functionalities for geospatial analysis, data management, and mapping.

4.ArcGIS 10.7

ArcGIS 10.7 is a previous version of Esri’s ArcGIS software suite. Released in 2019, it includes a range of tools and capabilities for geospatial analysis, mapping, and data management.

5. ArcGIS 10.8.2

ArcGIS 10.8.2 is a version of the ArcGIS software suite developed by Esri. It is one of the releases in the ArcGIS 10.x series and offers a range of geospatial capabilities and tools.

6. ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Pro is a powerful desktop application developed by Esri, a leading provider of GIS software. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for creating, editing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data. With its intuitive user interface and advanced features, ArcGIS Pro is widely used in various industries for spatial data management and analysis.

7. QGIS

QGIS, also known as Quantum GIS, is an open-source GIS software that offers a wide range of capabilities for geospatial data analysis and visualization. It provides a user-friendly interface and supports various data formats. QGIS is highly customizable and extensible, allowing users to enhance its functionalities through plugins.

8. Google Earth Pro

Google Earth Pro is a widely popular GIS tool that allows users to explore the world through satellite imagery and aerial photography. It offers advanced features such as measuring distances, creating 3D visualizations, and importing/exporting geospatial data. Google Earth Pro is a valuable tool for geospatial professionals working in fields such as environmental monitoring and urban planning.

9. PostGIS

PostGIS is a spatial database extension for PostgreSQL, a powerful open-source relational database management system. It adds support for spatial objects and allows users to store, query, and analyze geospatial data efficiently. PostGIS is widely used in web mapping applications and provides advanced spatial analysis functions.

10. GeoServer

GeoServer is an open-source server-side software that allows users to publish and share geospatial data over the web. It supports various data formats and provides standard-compliant services such as Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS). GeoServer is widely used in the geospatial community to create and manage spatial data infrastructure.

11. GRASS GIS

GRASS GIS, also known as Geographic Resources Analysis Support System, is an open-source software suite for geospatial analysis, data management, and visualization. It offers a wide range of tools for raster and vector data processing, including spatial modeling, image classification, and network analysis. GRASS GIS is a powerful tool for geospatial professionals working on complex spatial analysis tasks.

12. Global Mapper

Global Mapper is a comprehensive GIS software that provides advanced geospatial data processing and analysis capabilities. It supports a wide range of data formats and offers tools for terrain analysis, 3D visualization, and Lidar processing. Global Mapper is widely used in various industries, including mining, forestry, and oil and gas exploration.

13. ENVI

ENVI is a remote sensing software that specializes in image analysis and interpretation. It provides advanced tools for extracting information from satellite and aerial imagery, such as image classification, change detection, and spectral analysis. ENVI is widely used in remote sensing applications for environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management.

14. MapInfo Pro

MapInfo Pro is a desktop GIS software developed by Pitney Bowes. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for mapping, spatial analysis, and data visualization. MapInfo Pro supports a wide range of data formats and provides advanced capabilities for thematic mapping, spatial querying, and network analysis. It is widely used in industries such as retail, telecommunications, and logistics.

15. Leaflet

Leaflet is a lightweight open-source JavaScript library for interactive web mapping. It provides a simple and flexible platform for creating interactive maps and visualizations on the web. Leaflet supports various basemaps and overlays, and it is highly customizable and extensible through plugins. It is widely used by geospatial professionals to develop web-based mapping applications.

16. ERDAS IMAGINE 2014

ERDAS IMAGINE 2014 is a software suite developed by ERDAS for remote sensing and image analysis. It offers a range of advanced tools and capabilities for processing, analyzing, and visualizing satellite and aerial imagery.

17. ERDAS IMAGINE 2015

ERDAS IMAGINE 2015 is a software suite developed by ERDAS for remote sensing, image analysis, and geospatial data processing. It builds upon the capabilities of previous versions and introduces new features and enhancements.

18. SAGA GIS

SAGA GIS (System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses GIS) is an open-source geographic information system software that is widely used for geoscientific data processing and analysis. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and algorithms for various geospatial tasks.

19. GVSIG

GVSIG is an open-source geographic information system (GIS) software developed by the gvSIG Association. It is designed to manage, analyze, and visualize geographic data. GVSIG offers a wide range of functionalities for working with spatial data, including data capture, editing, analysis, and map production.

20. PostGIS

PostGIS is an open-source spatial database extension for PostgreSQL, a popular object-relational database management system (DBMS). It adds support for geographic objects and spatial queries to PostgreSQL, allowing you to store, manage, and analyze spatial data within the database.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ 1: What are GIS tools?

GIS tools are software applications or systems designed to capture, store, manage, analyze, and visualize spatial or geospatial data. These tools enable professionals to make informed decisions by integrating different types of data onto maps and conducting spatial analysis.

FAQ 2: Why are GIS tools important for geospatial professionals?

GIS tools are essential for geospatial professionals as they provide the means to effectively collect, manage, analyze, and visualize spatial data. These tools enable professionals to gain valuable insights, make informed decisions, and communicate spatial information effectively.

FAQ 3: Can you give examples of industries that use GIS tools?

GIS tools are used in various industries such as urban planning, environmental management, transportation, agriculture, forestry, disaster management, telecommunications, and retail. These tools play a crucial role in decision-making processes and resource allocation.

FAQ 4: Are GIS tools difficult to learn?

The ease of learning GIS tools depends on the complexity of the software and the user’s prior knowledge and experience. However, many GIS tools offer user-friendly interfaces and provide extensive documentation and online resources to facilitate the learning process.

FAQ 5: Can GIS tools be integrated with other software or systems?

Yes, GIS tools can be integrated with other software or systems to enhance their capabilities. For example, GIS tools can be integrated with databases, remote sensing software, or web mapping platforms to provide comprehensive solutions for geospatial data management and analysis.

FAQ 6: Are there any free GIS tools available?

Yes, there are several free and open-source GIS tools available, such as QGIS and GRASS GIS. These tools provide a wide range of capabilities and can be used without any licensing costs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, GIS tools play a crucial role in the work of geospatial professionals by providing them with the means to effectively collect, manage, analyze, and visualize spatial data. The ten essential GIS tools mentioned in this article, including ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Google Earth Pro, and others, offer a wide range of capabilities to enhance professionals’ work efficiency and effectiveness. Whether you are working in urban planning, environmental management, or any other field that involves spatial data, these tools can significantly contribute to your success. Familiarize yourself with these essential GIS tools and unlock their full potential in your geospatial endeavors.