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Best Free ArcGIS Online Alternatives — 12 Tools Compared in 2026

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

The 12 leading free ArcGIS Online alternatives, compared

Quick answer

The best free replacements for ArcGIS Online are CARTO, Maptitude and vMAP. CARTO ranks first with a SpotScore of 9.4 and a 4.65★ rating. Compare all 12 on score, rating, and pricing below.

Whether it's the bill, a missing capability, or the day-to-day friction, plenty of teams leave ArcGIS Online. These 12 geographic information system software free alternatives are where they tend to land. We order them by SpotScore (real-user satisfaction and market presence), star ratings, and pricing. Editors vet each one. Skim the table, then read on for detail.

ProductSpotScoreRatingPricingBest for
CARTONavigate your data with interactive mapping.9.4★★★★★ 4.65(75)FreeFree Trial · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
MaptitudeEmpowering spatial data analysis with high-performance GIS software.9.3★★★★★ 4.91(156)Freefrom $420 One Time Paymentteams of all sizes
vMAPEfficiently visualize terrain data with vMAP.7.4Not yet ratedFreeFree Trial · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
MapboxPowering location innovation with Mapbox.9.8★★★★ 4.42(45)FreeFreemium · Open-source · Subscription · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
MaptiveVisualize, analyze, and share your data with ease.8.9★★★★★ 4.62(46)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
ZeeMapsEffortless mapping made simple.8.8★★★★ 4.43(40)FreeFreemium · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
Scribble MapsExplore, map, and analyze with ease.8.7★★★★★ 4.51(78)FreeFreemium · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
MangoSolve complex problems with ease using Mango GIS.8.7★★★★★ 4.5(1)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
Badger MapsNavigate your data with ease.8.7★★★★★ 4.82(166)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
AziMapUnlock the power of GIS with AziMap.8.6Not yet ratedFreeFree Trial · Subscription · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
QGISEmpowering mapping and analytics for all.8.6★★★★ 4.46(142)FreeFreemium · Open-sourceteams of all sizes
MAPublisherEmpower your mapping with precision and ease.8.3★★★★★ 5(2)FreeFree Trial · One-time licenseteams of all sizes

9.4

SpotScore

CARTO - Geographic Information System Software

CARTO

Navigate your data with interactive mapping.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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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 ...

Read more about CARTO
Free TrialTry Free →·

CARTO offers custom pricing plan

9.3

SpotScore

Maptitude - Geographic Information System Software

Maptitude

Empowering spatial data analysis with high-performance GIS software.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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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. ...

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Free TrialTry Free →

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7.4

SpotScore

vMAP - Geographic Information System Software

vMAP

Efficiently visualize terrain data with vMAP.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is vMAP?

vMAP is a specialized geographic information system (GIS) software that utilizes volumetric and raster data to visualize geographic terrain data, providing the user with a powerful management tool. With vMAP, end users are able to increase their efficiency and make timely decisions by accessing ...

Read more about vMAP
Free Trial·

vMAP offers custom pricing plan

9.8

SpotScore

Mapbox - Geographic Information System Software

Mapbox

Powering location innovation with Mapbox.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

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 ...

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Starts from $50/Month, also offers free forever plan

8.9

SpotScore

Maptive - Geographic Information System Software

Maptive

Visualize, analyze, and share your data with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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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 ...

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Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $250/User

8.8

SpotScore

ZeeMaps - Geographic Information System Software

ZeeMaps

Effortless mapping made simple.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

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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 ...

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Starts from $16.66/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan

8.7

SpotScore

Scribble Maps - Geographic Information System Software

Scribble Maps

Explore, map, and analyze with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

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What is Scribble Maps?

Scribble Maps is a Geographic Information System (GIS) software for phone and desktop. Though originally intended to create maps from survey data (such as DEMs), it can also be used to overlay GIS data on top of imagery such as satellite or aerial photographs. This makes it useful for field ...

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Starts from $14/Month when Billed Yearly, also offers free forever plan

8.7

SpotScore

Mango - Geographic Information System Software

Mango

Solve complex problems with ease using Mango GIS.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is Mango?

Mango is a GIS software for solving complex spatial problems. The new, powerful interface makes Mango easy to learn. It's comprehensive, with tools for data management, processing, analysis and display that are unmatched by other GIS software. Easy to acquire and use, Mango gives all the ...

Read more about Mango
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $39/Month when Billed Yearly

8.7

SpotScore

Badger Maps - Geographic Information System Software

Badger Maps

Navigate your data with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Badger Maps?

Badger Maps software is a cost-effective professional tool for viewing, querying, and analyzing geographic information system (GIS) data. More of a mapping program than a CAD tool, Badger Maps provides an easy-to-use solution for viewing, querying, and analyzing geographic information systems ...

Read more about Badger Maps
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $49/Month when Billed Yearly

8.6

SpotScore

AziMap - Geographic Information System Software

AziMap

Unlock the power of GIS with AziMap.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is AziMap?

AziMap GIS software is am open source Geographic Information System (GIS) softwares available on the market. AziMap is an easy to use, full-featured GIS written in Java, which integrates with other geographical systems to provide an extremely competitive solution for organizations involved with ...

Read more about AziMap
Free TrialTry Free →·

Starts from $44.90/Month when Billed Yearly

8.6

SpotScore

QGIS - Geographic Information System Software

QGIS

Empowering mapping and analytics for all.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Try for Free

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 ...

Read more about QGIS

8.3

SpotScore

MAPublisher - Geographic Information System Software

MAPublisher

Empower your mapping with precision and ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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 ...

Read more about MAPublisher
Free Trial·

Starts from $1,499Fixed License

Why each one belongs on this list

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.

vMAP7.4Best for teams of all sizes

Volumetric data visualization

Watch for: Limited advanced GIS features

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.

Maptive8.9Best for teams of all sizes

Powerful data management

Watch for: Can be expensive for small users

ZeeMaps8.8Best for teams of all sizes

Easy to use with helpful team support.

Watch for: Occasionally slow performance during map creation.

Scribble Maps8.7Best for teams of all sizes

Highly user-friendly interface with easy-to-use tools for creating customized maps.

Watch for: Learning curve for some users due to minor inconsistencies in the interface conventions.

Mango8.7Best for teams of all sizes
Badger Maps8.7Best for teams of all sizes

Easy to use with mapping capabilities for efficient route planning.

Watch for: Some users find the richness of features and customizations overwhelming without sufficient guidance or training.

AziMap8.6Best for teams of all sizes

Open source

Watch for: Java-based may limit performance

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

Why teams look for a ArcGIS Online alternative

Teams rarely leave ArcGIS Online without a reason — usually it's one of these:

  • Subscription costs may be high for smaller organizations.
  • Geoprocessing functions are more limited than ArcGIS Desktop.
  • Automation of certain functions could be improved.
  • Steep learning curve for new users.

What to consider when replacing ArcGIS Online

Comparing pricing, ratings, and strengths across the 12 free alternatives: 12 offer a free tier; paid plans run $420, with Maptitude the cheapest entry point; and MAPublisher is the highest rated at 5 across 2 reviews.

Our ranking, explained simply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

The top-rated alternatives to ArcGIS Online are MAPublisher (5.0★), Maptitude (4.9★), Badger Maps (4.8★). Compare all 12 alternatives side-by-side above.

When evaluating alternatives to ArcGIS Online, prioritize: Spatial Analysis, Map Sharing, Map Creation, Labeling, Internet Mapping, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

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

Which ArcGIS Online alternative wins for your team?

  • On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — CARTO, Maptitude and vMAP 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: CARTO has the highest Spotsaas Score (9.4) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

Switching from ArcGIS Online the smart way

Plan your ArcGIS Online migration around your data. Export it, confirm the new tool imports it without loss, and check that the workflows you depend on still work. Run a pilot on a free plan first, and keep ArcGIS Online open until the switch is complete.

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