Is there a free alternative to 21stCenturyGIS?

Yes — QGIS, MAPublisher, Mapbox offer free tiers or trials suitable for small teams and individuals.

Last updated: October 17, 2026

12 21stCenturyGIS Alternatives for Mac, Ranked (2026)

Explore 12 alternatives to 21stCenturyGIS — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

The 12 strongest 21stCenturyGIS alternatives, side by side

Quick answer

If 21stCenturyGIS isn't working out, the best alternatives are QGIS, MAPublisher and Mapbox. QGIS ranks first with a SpotScore of 8.6 and a 4.46★ rating. See all 12 compared on score, rating, and price below.

When 21stCenturyGIS no longer matches how your team works, the right swap makes a big difference. These 12 geographic information system software alternatives are the strongest candidates, ranked by SpotScore (real-user satisfaction plus market presence), ratings, and pricing. Each is editor-vetted. Use the table to compare at a glance, then read the breakdowns.

Product	SpotScore	Rating	Pricing	Best for
QGISEmpowering mapping and analytics for all.	8.6	★★★★☆ 4.46(142)	FreeFreemium · Open-source	teams of all sizes
MAPublisherEmpower your mapping with precision and ease.	8.3	★★★★★ 5(2)	Freefrom $1,499 Fixed License	teams of all sizes
MapboxPowering location innovation with Mapbox.	9.8	★★★★☆ 4.42(45)	FreeFreemium · Open-source · Subscription · Quotation Based	teams of all sizes
CARTONavigate your data with interactive mapping.	9.4	★★★★★ 4.65(75)	FreeFree Trial · Quotation Based	teams of all sizes
MaptitudeEmpowering spatial data analysis with high-performance GIS software.	9.3	★★★★★ 4.91(156)	FreeFree Trial · One-time license · Open-source	teams of all sizes
ArcGIS OnlineStreamline your location intelligence with ease.	9.2	★★★★☆ 4.49(147)	FreeFree Trial · Subscription · Quotation Based	teams of all sizes
Esri ArcGISMapping your world, one click at a time.	9.1	★★★★☆ 4.35(330)	Quotation Based	teams of all sizes
BatchGeoTransform your data into powerful maps.	8.9	★★★★★ 4.67(1019)	Subscription	teams of all sizes
MaptiveVisualize, analyze, and share your data with ease.	8.9	★★★★★ 4.62(46)	FreeFree Trial · Subscription	teams of all sizes
eSpatialAffordable GIS made easy for all.	8.9	★★★★★ 4.81(18)	Subscription · Quotation Based	teams of all sizes
MapRightEfficiently map your world with MapRight.	8.8	★★★★☆ 3.85(10)	Subscription	teams of all sizes
ZeeMapsEffortless mapping made simple.	8.8	★★★★☆ 4.43(40)	FreeFreemium · Subscription	teams of all sizes

8.6

SpotScore

QGIS

Empowering mapping and analytics for all.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

4.5

142 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is QGIS?

QGIS is a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) that runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, and Windows. No matter what continent on or which GIS software user uses at work, QGIS has much to offer in common with GIS tools already installed. It supports vector, raster & database ...

MAPublisher

Empower your mapping with precision and ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

5.0

2 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is MAPublisher?

MAPublisher is a desktop mapping and cartography plugin that lets users manage map layers, view map attributes, customize themes with stylesheets, create selection filters, and chart points with precision. It is used by private companies, government institutions, and educational organizations ...

Mapbox

Powering location innovation with Mapbox.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

4.4

45 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Mapbox?

Mapbox is a location data platform, serving developers, design studios, and enterprises globally. It provide the building blocks for businesses to integrate location into any product or service. Whether looking to make a bold geo-enabled statement or simply need a reliable map that's both easy ...

CARTO

Navigate your data with interactive mapping.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.7

75 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is CARTO?

CARTO is a powerful yet easy to use Geographic Information System Software that allows for mapping and for the creation of interactive maps using the location data. Use it to create custom maps and locations, show spatial distributions of data, and make them searchable on the map. CARTO ...

Maptitude

Empowering spatial data analysis with high-performance GIS software.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.9

156 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Maptitude?

Maptitude is a high-performance Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The product allows anyone to visualize, analyze, and map all kinds of spatial data like health care costs, demographics, census tracks, topographic maps, climate or electoral results on local or global scales. ...

ArcGIS Online

Streamline your location intelligence with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.5

147 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is ArcGIS Online?

ArcGIS Online from Esri is a most powerful, flexible and easiest-to-use location intelligence platform in the market today. Using ArcGIS Online for ArcGIS Cloud, ArcGIS for Server, or a combination of the two allows to start improving workflows faster with this set of web services, maps, apps ...

Esri ArcGIS

Mapping your world, one click at a time.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Get Pricing Details

4.3

330 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Esri ArcGIS?

ArcGIS is a Geographic Information System (GIS) that allows user to view, analyze, edit, and display data that relates to locations they choose. Combine data, maps and geographic information to create informative and visually rich experiences that viewers can easily comprehend. ArcGIS software ...

BatchGeo

Transform your data into powerful maps.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

See Plans & Pricing

4.7

1019 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is BatchGeo?

BatchGeo is free geographic information system software that helps anyone with a GPS device or mobile phone to quickly create, edit, and display geographic data on the earth. BatchGeo is software for everyone: the average person who wants to view or map their favorite places; the entrepreneur ...

Maptive

Visualize, analyze, and share your data with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.6

46 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Maptive?

Maptive is an GIS software with amazing functionalities. For this application, the target market is first and foremost GIS professionals and decision makers that are seeking a powerful tool to manage large-scale datasets. The software can be used in many different industries as a common ground ...

eSpatial

Affordable GIS made easy for all.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

See Plans & Pricing

4.8

18 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is eSpatial?

eSpatial is a geographic information system (GIS) that offers all the features and functionality of expensive GIS software at an affordable price. Export data to a shapefile, add labels or images, edit, draw new features and create color-fill layers. eSpatial allows to quickly perform spatial ...

MapRight

Efficiently map your world with MapRight.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

See Plans & Pricing

3.9

10 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is MapRight?

MapRight is an intuitive and powerful Geographic Information System (GIS) software for tracking geographic information and data. Use MapRight to geocode addresses, integrate GPS tracks, display colored maps all on desktop. MapRight runs on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, ...

ZeeMaps

Effortless mapping made simple.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

4.4

40 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is ZeeMaps?

ZeeMaps is an innovative geographic information system (GIS) and mapping system for Google Earth. It was designed to simplify the process of locating items on a map so that anyone can easily create layers for searching, modify them, and analyze the results. ZeeMaps contains over 700,000 ...

Who competes with 21stCenturyGIS?

Across Geographic Information System Software, 12 products compete directly with 21stCenturyGIS. The strongest overlap is with QGIS, MAPublisher and Mapbox. Each is compared against 21stCenturyGIS on rating, pricing and feature coverage below.

Tools similar to 21stCenturyGIS

Searches for "sites like 21stCenturyGIS" and "apps like 21stCenturyGIS" land on the same set of options as "21stCenturyGIS alternatives" — the 12 options below cover both, whether you want a like-for-like replacement or something lighter.

Why we picked these 21stCenturyGIS alternatives

QGIS8.6Best for teams of all sizes

QGIS is an open-source GIS platform with a wide array of features and plugins that make work easier and more efficient.

Watch for: Output templates are not readily available, requiring additional time for configuring settings when doing layout.

MAPublisher8.3Best for teams of all sizes

Comprehensive mapping tools

Watch for: May require GIS knowledge

Mapbox9.8Best for teams of all sizes

Offers a wide range of customization options and base map styles for detailed, distinctive map designs.

Watch for: Map-view-based pricing can lead to unexpectedly high costs for popular sites or high-traffic apps.

CARTO9.4Best for teams of all sizes

Feature-rich platform for spatial mapping, allowing multiple layers on each map for complex work demands.

Watch for: Intimidating learning curve at the beginning for users without data analytics expertise.

Maptitude9.3Best for teams of all sizes

Mapping tool with strong data analysis capabilities.

Watch for: Learning curve for complex features may require some training.

ArcGIS Online9.2Best for teams of all sizes

Combines mapping and analysis tools in a cloud-based environment.

Watch for: Subscription costs may be high for smaller organizations.

Esri ArcGIS9.1Best for teams of all sizes

Industry standard GIS software with a wide range of features and capabilities.

Watch for: Some users find the complexity of features and customizations daunting, especially for newcomers without proper support.

BatchGeo8.9Best for teams of all sizes

Easy to use, especially with Excel integration, making data uploading and mapping straightforward.

Watch for: Some users find the rich features and customization options overwhelming without proper guidance or support.

Maptive8.9Best for teams of all sizes

Powerful data management

Watch for: Can be expensive for small users

eSpatial8.9Best for teams of all sizes

User-friendly interface and easy steps for creating daily travel routes.

Watch for: Lack of dark mode feature, which could enhance user experience.

MapRight8.8Best for teams of all sizes

Very easy to use and requires no training, making it suitable for beginners and non-tech users.

Watch for: Lack of detail and zoning information may limit in-depth analysis for some users.

ZeeMaps8.8Best for teams of all sizes

Easy to use with helpful team support.

Watch for: Occasionally slow performance during map creation.

Why teams look for a 21stCenturyGIS alternative

A handful of pain points come up again and again when teams consider replacing 21stCenturyGIS:

Complex for beginners
May require technical knowledge
Limited support resources

The factors that matter in a 21stCenturyGIS alternative

A factual rundown of the 12 alternatives: 8 offer a free tier; paid plans run $1499, with MAPublisher the cheapest entry point; and MAPublisher is the highest rated at 5★ across 2 reviews.

How the ranking holds up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

What are the best alternatives to 21stCenturyGIS?

The top-rated alternatives to 21stCenturyGIS are MAPublisher (5.0★), Maptitude (4.9★), eSpatial (4.8★). Compare all 12 alternatives side-by-side above.

What features should I look for in a Geographic Information System Software alternative?

When evaluating alternatives to 21stCenturyGIS, prioritize: Spatial Analysis, Map Creation, Interoperability, Internet Mapping, Image Management, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

How difficult is it to migrate from 21stCenturyGIS to an alternative?

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply 21stCenturyGIS is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend narrowing to 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

How to match a 21stCenturyGIS alternative to your team

On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — QGIS, MAPublisher and Mapbox let you evaluate without paying upfront.
If real-user ratings matter most: MAPublisher has the strongest star rating (5★) among the options with verified reviews.
Want the safest pick: QGIS has the highest Spotsaas Score (8.6) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

Your migration plan from 21stCenturyGIS

Switching from 21stCenturyGIS doesn't have to be painful. Begin with a data export and verify the new tool imports it. Confirm feature parity, pilot the change on a trial, and keep 21stCenturyGIS running in parallel until you're sure. Many tools above let you test for free first.

Compare top products

CARTO

Maptive

eSpatial

MapRight

Maptive

eSpatial

Esri ArcGIS

eSpatial

Maptive

MapRight

QGIS

Mapbox

ArcGIS Online

Esri ArcGIS

eSpatial

ZeeMaps

ArcGIS Online

BatchGeo

About the reviewer

Rajat Gupta

Rajat Gupta is the founder of Spotsaas. Over the past two years, he has reviewed 2,000+ tools across CRM, HR, AI, and finance — applying hands-on product research and a background in commerce and the CFA program to evaluate software through a business and ROI lens. His goal: help teams make software decisions they won't regret.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

12 21stCenturyGIS Alternatives for Mac, Ranked (2026)

The 12 strongest 21stCenturyGIS alternatives, side by side

QGIS

Empowering mapping and analytics for all.

MAPublisher

Empower your mapping with precision and ease.

Mapbox

Powering location innovation with Mapbox.

CARTO

Navigate your data with interactive mapping.

Maptitude

Empowering spatial data analysis with high-performance GIS software.

ArcGIS Online

Streamline your location intelligence with ease.

Esri ArcGIS

Mapping your world, one click at a time.

BatchGeo

Transform your data into powerful maps.

Maptive

Visualize, analyze, and share your data with ease.

eSpatial

Affordable GIS made easy for all.

MapRight

Efficiently map your world with MapRight.

ZeeMaps

Effortless mapping made simple.

Who competes with 21stCenturyGIS?

Tools similar to 21stCenturyGIS

Why we picked these 21stCenturyGIS alternatives

Why teams look for a 21stCenturyGIS alternative

The factors that matter in a 21stCenturyGIS alternative

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to match a 21stCenturyGIS alternative to your team

Your migration plan from 21stCenturyGIS

Compare top products

CARTO

Maptive

eSpatial

MapRight

Maptive

eSpatial

Esri ArcGIS

eSpatial

Maptive

MapRight

QGIS

Mapbox

ArcGIS Online

Esri ArcGIS

eSpatial

ZeeMaps

ArcGIS Online

BatchGeo

Research Popular Software and Services

About the reviewer

Compare top products

CARTO

Maptive

eSpatial

MapRight

Maptive

eSpatial

Esri ArcGIS

eSpatial

Maptive

MapRight

QGIS

Mapbox

ArcGIS Online

Esri ArcGIS

eSpatial

ZeeMaps

ArcGIS Online

BatchGeo

Research Popular Software and Services

About the reviewer