Google Maps Engine vs QGIS

Struggling to choose between Google Maps Engine and QGIS? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Google Maps Engine is a Travel & Location solution with tags like maps, location, geographic-data, visualization.

It boasts features such as Upload and store geospatial data, Visualize data on interactive maps, Perform analysis and make measurements, Share maps and collaborate, Develop custom web and mobile map applications and pros including Powerful and intuitive mapping capabilities, Integration with other Google services, Scalable cloud infrastructure, Collaborative features, Free tier available.

On the other hand, QGIS is a Office & Productivity product tagged with gis, mapping, geospatial-data, data-visualization.

Its standout features include Desktop GIS application, View, edit, analyze geospatial data, Create maps with many layers, Plugin architecture for extensibility, Supports many vector and raster formats, Powerful styling and labeling capabilities, Geoprocessing tools, Print layouts for map production, Python console for automation and customization, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), Active development community, User friendly graphical interface, Support for GRASS, SAGA, GDAL libraries, Can handle large datasets, Many plugins available, Integrates with PostgreSQL/PostGIS databases.

Feature	Google Maps Engine	QGIS
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Travel & Location	Office & Productivity

Product Overview

Google Maps Engine

Description: Google Maps Engine is a cloud-based mapping platform that allows users to store, visualize and share geographic data. It provides tools to create custom maps by uploading data or connecting to external sources.

QGIS

Description: QGIS is a free and open-source geographic information system software. It allows viewing, editing, and analyzing geospatial data. QGIS offers features for mapping, data management, and data visualization.

Key Features Comparison

Google Maps Engine Features

• Upload and store geospatial data
• Visualize data on interactive maps
• Perform analysis and make measurements
• Share maps and collaborate
• Develop custom web and mobile map applications

QGIS Features

• Desktop GIS application
• View, edit, analyze geospatial data
• Create maps with many layers
• Plugin architecture for extensibility
• Supports many vector and raster formats
• Powerful styling and labeling capabilities
• Geoprocessing tools
• Print layouts for map production
• Python console for automation and customization

Pros & Cons Analysis

Google Maps Engine

Pros

• Powerful and intuitive mapping capabilities
• Integration with other Google services
• Scalable cloud infrastructure
• Collaborative features
• Free tier available

Cons

• Limited styling and customization options
• Requires learning curve for advanced features
• Deprecated and no longer available

QGIS

Pros

• Free and open source
• Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
• Active development community
• User friendly graphical interface
• Support for GRASS, SAGA, GDAL libraries
• Can handle large datasets
• Many plugins available
• Integrates with PostgreSQL/PostGIS databases

Cons

• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Not as polished as commercial GIS
• Limited cartographic quality of maps
• No enterprise-level support services
• Some stability issues
• Lacks some advanced analysis tools

Pricing Comparison

Google Maps Engine

• Free
• Subscription-Based

QGIS

• Open Source