Global Mapper is a Geographic Information System (GIS) software offering tools for working with map data. It allows you to process spatial data, analyze maps, and create visualizations. Global Mapper aims to be user-friendly for both beginners and experienced GIS professionals. It promises efficient data management, accurate map creation, and a good return on investment for organizations of all sizes.
Who is Global Mapper best for
Global Mapper is a user-friendly GIS software suitable for both beginners and experts. It offers comprehensive tools for spatial data processing, map analysis, and visualization. Users praise its ease of use, data format support, and terrain analysis capabilities, while some find the menus overloaded and documentation lacking. A cost-effective solution for diverse GIS tasks.
Best fit for small to medium-sized businesses.
Ideal for businesses in real estate, construction, energy, utilities, software, IT, telecommunications, manufacturing, and logistics.
Global Mapper features
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
Supported
Global Mapper supports geoprocessing tools like data conversion, buffering, clipping, and spatial joins.
Supported
Global Mapper supports importing, storing, and managing vector data.
Supported
Global Mapper supports terrain analysis, including slope and elevation analysis using DEMs.
Supported
Global Mapper supports importing, storing, and managing raster data.
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Global Mapper offers robust geospatial analytics tools for data analysis and visualization.
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Global Mapper supports creating and displaying 3D maps, including interactive tools and export options.
Global Mapper reviews
We've summarised 30 Global Mapper reviews (Global Mapper G2 reviews) and
summarised the main points below.
Pros of Global Mapper
User-friendly interface and easy to use.
Comprehensive data format support and conversion capabilities.
Excellent for terrain analysis, 3D visualization, and LiDAR data.
Cost-effective solution for various GIS tasks.
Powerful scripting capabilities for automation.
Cons of Global Mapper
Overloaded menus and could use better documentation.
Inaccurate 3D contour maps requiring rescaling.
Cartography features and symbology tools need improvement.
Limited customization for drawing tools and title blocks.
Global Mapper pricing
The commentary is based on 2 reviews from Global Mapper G2 reviews.
Global Mapper offers node-locked, floating, and USB dongle licenses for single users, as well as network licenses for multiple users. The pricing varies based on the license type and product edition (Standard or Pro). The base version of Global Mapper Mobile is free, while the Pro version costs $50 per device. Maintenance and Support (M&S) is included for the first year and can be renewed annually.
Support for importing and exporting 300+ file formats
Access to online data sources for streaming imagery, basemaps, terrain, and vector data
Vector drawing, editing, analysis, and spatial operations
Attribute editing, joining, calculation, graphing, and querying
Thematic and choropleth mapping
Map design and pre-print layout
Lidar display, filtering, and manual editing
Terrain creation and modification
Terrain analysis, including contour generation, line of sight, viewshed, watershed, and flood simulation
Volume calculation, pile volume estimation, cut and fill analysis, and change detection
Immersive 3D visualization, 3D data creation and editing, fly-through recording, and layer animation
Image rectification
Image blending, feathering, cropping, and pan sharpening
Image and raster reclassification
Raster calculation Including NDVI, NDWI, NBR, and custom formulas
Address geocoding
Batch file conversion and workflow automation with Global Mapper scripts
Integration with Global Mapper Mobile app
GPS support for tracking and data collection
Image blending, feathering, histogram matching, cropping and pan sharpening
Single User Node-Locked - Pro
$1750 one-time
All Standard features, plus:
Terrain painting
Breakline calculation
Advanced querying, editing, segmenting, and filtering of lidar and 3D point clouds
Automatic classification of point cloud data including ground, vegetation, buildings, power lines, and poles
Vector feature extraction from classified point cloud data
Lidar noise identification and removal
Variography and Kriging
Point cloud thinning and vertical and horizontal rectification of point cloud data
Automatic alignment of overlapping point clouds
Visual analysis of point cloud data, including by local density, height above ground, intensity, and classification
Point cloud profiling
Pixels to Points® - Drone/UAV imagery processing to create 3D point clouds, orthoimage, and 3D model
Advanced automated vectorization of imagery and terrain
Support for RTK devices and display of satellite constellation
Built-in editor for Global Mapper scripts
Support for Python scripting
Script Builder tool to record actions in Global Mapper Script
Streamlined mobile data merging
Single User Floating - Standard
$1050 one-time
Support for importing and exporting 300+ file formats
Access to online data sources for streaming imagery, basemaps, terrain, and vector data
Vector drawing, editing, analysis, and spatial operations
Attribute editing, joining, calculation, graphing, and querying
Thematic and choropleth mapping
Single User Floating - Pro
$2625 one-time
All Standard features, plus:
Terrain painting
Breakline calculation
USB Dongle - Standard
$1050 one-time
Support for importing and exporting 300+ file formats
Access to online data sources for streaming imagery, basemaps, terrain, and vector data
Vector drawing, editing, analysis, and spatial operations
Attribute editing, joining, calculation, graphing, and querying
Thematic and choropleth mapping
USB Dongle - Pro
$2625 one-time
All Standard features, plus:
Terrain painting
Breakline calculation
Network - Standard
$2100 one-time
Support for importing and exporting 300+ file formats
Access to online data sources for streaming imagery, basemaps, terrain, and vector data
Vector drawing, editing, analysis, and spatial operations
Attribute editing, joining, calculation, graphing, and querying
Thematic and choropleth mapping
Network - Pro
$5250 one-time
All Standard features, plus:
Terrain painting
Breakline calculation
Global Mapper alternatives
ArcGIS Enterprise
Better fit for enterprise companies. Has negative sentiment around pricing. Is growing faster in terms of website traffic and employee growth.
Better fit for enterprise companies. Open-source and free. Fewer features, lower ratings, and less user feedback. A good Global Mapper alternative for budget-conscious large organizations.
Better for enterprise companies. More suitable for Healthcare, Finance, Consumer Goods, Education, Media, Software, Government and Energy industries. Has grown faster in terms of website traffic and employee base. Cloud-based and easier to implement, though users mention high subscription costs and confusing credit system.
Better for enterprise companies and a wider range of industries. It has more momentum based on website traffic and employee growth. More powerful features, but also more expensive and complex.
Better fit for enterprise companies and more widely applicable across various industries. It has broader data source integrations beyond geospatial data. Tableau has more momentum in its market, with faster employee growth. Users praise its intuitive interface and performance with large datasets but dislike the cost and limited trial period. A popular Global Mapper alternative and competitor.
Better for identifying website visitors and understanding online behavior. More suitable for targeted advertising and fraud prevention. A strong Global Mapper alternative for IP address analysis.
What is Global Mapper and what does Global Mapper do?
What is Global Mapper and what does Global Mapper do?
Global Mapper is an affordable and easy-to-use GIS software for mapping, data processing, and analysis. It offers comprehensive tools for terrain analysis, 3D visualization, and LiDAR data processing, making it suitable for users ranging from beginners to GIS professionals. It's known for its broad data format support and powerful scripting capabilities.
How does Global Mapper integrate with other tools?
How does Global Mapper integrate with other tools?
Global Mapper integrates with other tools through its support for a wide range of data formats. It facilitates data exchange with other GIS software and allows users to export their work in various formats for use in other applications. This interoperability enhances workflow efficiency for geospatial projects.
What the main competitors of Global Mapper?
What the main competitors of Global Mapper?
Alternatives to Global Mapper include ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, Esri ArcGIS, and OrbisGIS. Other options, depending on your needs, might be Tableau for data visualization or IPinfo for IP address analysis.
Is Global Mapper legit?
Is Global Mapper legit?
Yes, Global Mapper is a legitimate GIS software. It's known for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive data format support, and powerful terrain analysis capabilities. While some users mention areas for improvement, it is a cost-effective solution for various GIS tasks.
How much does Global Mapper cost?
How much does Global Mapper cost?
Global Mapper pricing is not publicly available. Contact the vendor for a quote to determine if the product's cost aligns with your needs and budget.
Is Global Mapper customer service good?
Is Global Mapper customer service good?
Based on the reviews, Global Mapper's customer service is generally considered to be excellent and responsive, providing quick and helpful support to users. One user specifically praised their positive experience with the customer service team.
Reviewed by
MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio
Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT
management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs
of any business and find solutions to its problems.
TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio
Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech
department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX,
HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.