I tried a couple of open-source GIS, but I still find Arc to be the easiest to use. Another factor is what software most of the people you work with (internally and externally) use. And right now, it is still Arc the most common platform. But Linux or R are good examples open-source software can carve their market, even take over the commercial packages. Of all the open-source GIS I tried, QGIS seemed the more rounded and I would be interested to see where it is going.

no Jose A. Salinas-Perez you can use open source softwares which can handle large data sets ex GRASS GIS .. i want to clear you that all so called proprietary softwares have their backend open source. ex: ERDAS having GDAL

As a field mapper I appreciate the ability of Quantum GIS and GDAL to collate a set of high resolution map images. Note however in this respect that it is against Google Earth/Maps 'Terms of Use' to cache GE tiles for offline use outside Google Earth!! For this reason I presume ERDAS and other GIS packages won't go near this! As a free package Quantum GIS is very good.

Quantum GIS is good i feel it as a baby.................. GRASS GIS

which supports GRASS also... learn one get other free...

As some already say, it depends on what scenario you like to work and on your needs:

- ArcGIS is powerfull and mostly easier (or say more consistent) to use as open alternatives. It provides a lot of extensions, but is somewhat limited if you need to integrate it in your very own workflow. Even if it's an de-facto-standard it cost a lot of money, so you need to afford it.

-GRASS, QGIS is very powerful (esp. in combination) but needs a lot of training as it's not that consistent to use and not allways well documented. It's absolutely customizable (beside plugins you can hack all the source) and offers a lot of batch abilities.

-OpenJUMP, OpenStreetMap Toolchain is very easy to use even for GIS beginners, but somewhat limited beside the ability to enter data you might need further tools to build a complete GIS stack for analysis and visualisation. It allows you highly customizable and low cost workflow, but you will have spend time on getting all things together.

I would like to say that GIS software is tool, and it is not a target. The target is the geodatabase. More precisely, the geospatial part of geodatabase not the tabular part. Personally, I like to have more than one GIS software. As an old C developer, I'm a fan of open source, however commercial software can't be avoided, and I prefer to have more that one commercial GIS from different vendors.

What I say, the geodatabase are better to be open and free. I really would follow opengov data format principles, no black boxes.

Finally, GIS software have short lifetime, and geospatial data are eternal.

Currently i think ArcGIS is still the leader and is the preferred software in academia. I am not saying ArcGIS is any better than GRASS or QuantumGIS because its not these open source version and are expandable and can give you many better options. Attitudes in academia will have to change before these open source packages are fully excepted, I personally believe it will be accepted soon with the likes of R really beginning to dominate the stats software market i believe GRASS or a variation on GRASS will be the next big thing, with Universities struggling for money its going to become the norm to use free software.

There are already several Free and Open Source software available. Check QGIS, no extra work you need to do...user-friendly and extremely flexible. I has several plugins for doing any GIS task. The idea that Open Source Software doesn't work comes from likes of ESRI to be able to sell software...it's free so at least you can give it a try!

It depends on your needs, I tried gvSIG, Quantum GIS and Grass. I think ArcGis is powerfull for complex analysis and processing.To do simple analisys I recommend to you gvSIG as open-source, I think it is easier to use as the others.

I agree with the previous post regarding QGIS and GRASS combo with R gdal and rgdal as well. I used ArcGIS for many years, but find the combination of R and QGIS is much more powerful, much less buggy and with a good spatial database, such as postgreSQL, is much faster. Additionally, an important dimension is that many of my colleagues are in the developing world, and they simply cannot afford ArcGIS or Stata for that matter, so going 100% opensource is a must. Also I would add, the user community for opensource solutions seems to be trending towards a stronger source.

If you need regular support - choose commercial. If you need random support - GNU.

If you do project, or build contract based enterprise solution - must be responsible - choose commercial. If job is less important - choose GNU. For money is easier to get warranty. OGC reqs support, GML, if web - WMS, WFS other full-fledged services, data interoperability - important part. Software vendor closed data formats - bad idea. Finally - for yourself - GNU, for enterprise teams - commercial. This is best practice and basic rules for me.

The selection of software completely dependent on your flexibility and options exist. I feel open source is bridging this gap with latest updates and new modules at no cost...

All depends on what you want to do. QGIS is very good; GRASS has a steep learning curve. dlgv32Pro, distributed by the USGS is the free version of Global Mapper, but it's limited to 4 datasets. Global Mapper (Blue Marble Geographics) is one of the cheapest GIS software and very complete.

I would also recommend qgis: works with Win and Linux and has good interfaces to many other systems (R, Grass...). I would try to avoid ArcGis at any costs - 95% of the problems are linked to copy protection and the package is heavily overpriced. In case you work in a commercial environment you and your clients need a license, this means base costs between 5000-10000Euro for 2 PCs (here in Germany).

I use and support the development of uDig, of which you can find information and documentation here:

http://abouthydrology.blogspot.it/2013/04/a-concise-introduction-to-udig-gis.html

and in related pages.

All the best,

riccardo

ILWIS is open source and can perform both GIS and RS functions. Learning curve is not steep.It is s fully supported by 52North.More iInfo: Visit http://52north.org/communities/ilwis

A couple of additional options of free GIS software

Kosmo: http://www.opengis.es/

gvSIG: http://www.gvsig.com/welcome?set_language=en

I hope that these options will be useful for you.

I agree with all the above comment. Use commercial software only if constrained by you administration or contract and only if you do not have skilled personnel and need continuous support.

In any other case just choose one of the several open source GISs available, such as GRASS (steep learning curve), ILWIS 52North (very simple yet powerful), QIGIS, uDig and so on.

If you make use of landscape and topographic analysis have a look at the SAGA GIS, one of the best, in my opinion, for the support in advanced spatial analysis.

http://www.saga-gis.org/en/index.html

Try to avoid ArcGIS. The problem is not only the price but also the very cumbersome license protection software that in many cases hampers the proficient use of the GIS in a multiuser environment.

A final notice: when choosing, pay also attention to the ability of database integration (with special reference to postgreSQL and postGIS)

In a corporate environment the use of ArcGIS almost impossible to avoid. For production and edition, it is w/o doubt your best choice. Allday processing is included, very handy. But don't expect performance or the best possible results. And the bugs can make you mad sometimes.

QGIS offers almost the same capabilities, but when working with large imagery on backgroud, the problems start. QGIS has however a very powerful native connection to PGIS (any!!!), with editig enabled (not possible in ArcGIS). This shoud be your option if you are working alone or in a group that is not usig ArcGIS for a long time.

And, at last, if you need some very specific or performance depending task with large datasets, maybe programming is also an option. Combining JAVA with GeoTools and JTS will offer also flexibility and performance. And it much easier as it sounds.

Java, GEOtools, and JTS (with connection to GRASS and Postgis/Postgress) are some of the bricks upon which uDig is built.

It doesn't matter which one you choose - you have to understand the processes behind the buttons and be able to code a little bit if you like to dive deeper into GIS.

You should use open source if you are GIS developer and no much money. Otherwise, using commercial GIS software is best choice.

Thank you so much I cannot believe how ignorant I was about there being fee versions out there. The glitches and lack of user support from Esri, despite the huge licencing fees are enough to drive me into the arms of the free software!

Considering the new insights about PRISM etc. I would also not use ArcGis Online or other services - your (private) maps may go directly to the NSA or to wherever they need them.

The answer depends on whether you are willing to get dirty, have a limited budget, love seeing what's going on behind the hood and your understanding of GIS concepts. If your answer to any two of these questions is yes, then you are better of going open source, otherwise get the commercial products. But at the end of the day, you are able to accomplish your tasks whichever way you go ... and I guess that's what matters!

I am in agreement with David, I would like to add It depends on you and your choice as well as you expertise which David has put in as "your understanding of GIS concepts". The crux of the matter is that work should be done and that too efficiently. I cannot agree with David more.

Dear Sokunthet Sok, In "Geoinformatic" curriculum IT is an essential part. Considering this, the algorithm development, programs coding and software developments are naturally inculcated in an Geoinformatic engineer. Hence, choose open-source GIS software and make use of it rather than acquiring the costly commercial ones foe simple plug and play.

QGIS WITH GRASS PLUGIN

It depends upon your work. For most of works open source like qgis is more than sufficient.  Only for few high level analysis commercial software like Arcgis is useful. I support open gis.

This is not an easy issue. There are many different business models and sometimes, distinction between open-source and commercial software is difficult. There are many open source software offered by commercial companies while same companies sell products on commercial basis and these products are available to customers for inspection. The moot question here is if both open and commercial sources perform same work with same capability and efficiency, then what for these companies are? For public service! There must be a big difference between the types of software.

If one uses open source software, it is because it is free. One will not care about it being open source, if it meets one’s needs so why would one pay for something else? But, if open sources software would be of not much help in whatever one needs to do on a desktop/computer, then?

The issue may also be seen from the perspective of making a choice between saving the time or saving money. This sounds like the typical kind of claim from a closed source vendor trying to protect their business model. Both in business and open source there are good products and bad ones. For a library or framework, the best way to figure out if it suits one is to write a simple test project. In open source that is exactly what one does. For any problems one is free to ask the community. Depending on the quality of the product and feedback one gets, one can determine whether to continue or not with that product. The same is true about commercial products. For this one needs to be allowed, most possibly for some payment, to do one’s test. Whether or not one can ask questions depends on the vendor. One could forgo on the test and just trust the vendor's marketing department, thus saving time. However, not doing the test could cost one a lot more if there is a mismatch between expectations and what is delivered.

In the end, it is always the quality of the product which is most important.

For expert opinion, please go through links:

http://geospatial-solutions.com/open-source-gis-part-ii/

http://www.directionsmag.com/entry/foss4g-2011-opening-plenary-session-recap/200064

Open source software isn't ALWAYS the answer, but it must be considered, especially in the GIS world. Because a lot of good work has gone into it.

ESRI continues to be the market leader in closed source codes around the world, but are they necessarily the best, or simply the best advertised?

I believe the questions come down to these:

1. Do you require on-demand support? (and, what are your experiences with ESRI support calling you back... admittedly, it's been a long time since I dealt with ESRI software and contracts, so I cannot answer this)

2. What are you trying to do? Does your set of business cases and applications require, absolutely, ESRI or Intergraph or MapInfo compatibility? Then go that route. If you're doing something a bit more free-form, can support yourself, or can find support for the OSGEO softwares that's satisfactory for you, AND if they meet your needs, go that route.

3. Is there something in either proprietary software or OSGEO that meets a requirement better than anyone else? While this is similar to #2 above, it's not really identical. For instance OGR does a lot of things I cannot readily do with other, proprietary codes. For me, it's good. I am familiar with OS web mapping tools. They meet my requirements. There's nothing that Oracle does I can't as easily accomplish in PostgreSQL/PostGIS. And, I'm an unabashed open source bigot.

In other words, the path, for me, is simple. 

You, on the other hand, have to actually determine what your mission's requirements are, and stick to them. 

Although, I do have access to Arc GIS, I like to have GRASS and QGIS spread all over the world. The answer is simple. If we can do the same job with the software which we get free of cost, why should we pay to buy commercial software? I see that there is a stiff learning curve associated with GRASS GIS, but learning is another fun to have. That way, you will enjoy working with the software and feel proud of what you have done. So, all in all. I am in the favor of free source GIS software. Vote for this.

By the way, I am a big fan of R as well. I see why R is getting popular. It is all because these companies who have commercial statistical software like SAS are so greedy. They charge hell a lot for something which we can solve our problems using the similar software which we can get free.

the latest version of QGIS has support of generating models and hydrological estimations, watershed delineation tools such as Q-SWAT.

Grass 7 version is par better than any commercial software GUI with both shortcuts and description.

The world of open source GIS software is mature. For example, PostgreSQL with PostGIS extension, a DBMS combo that underlies much of the success of FOSS4G in general, and often used with QGIS, is used by many large companies to drive analytic workloads at scale. One reason you want to go with open source is if you want to take best advantage of Cloud. Why? because you can then run what are often highly parallel workloads without the encumbrance of vendor licenses. Or you can just simply share a snapshot of your PostgreSQL DB with your colleague. QGIS on Amazon Workspaces connected to RDS PostgreSQL is a good example of this.