Spatial analysis software is software written to enable and facilitate spatial analysis. It comprises a broad class of tools designed to store, manipulate, visualize, and interpret data with a geographic or spatial component. These applications support tasks such as geostatistics, spacial modeling, network analysis, and raster-vector processing, enabling researchers and practitioners to derive meaningful patterns and relationships from location-based information.
Currently, there are several software packages, ranging from fully open-source projects to proprietary software, which address different layers of the spatial data infrastructure stack.
Packages
PackageFree of chargeOperating SystemsDeveloper institution/personField of interest (if any specific)Main FeaturesLanguageLicenseSnappy MapperYes, for non-commercial useWeb-basedSnappy MapperVector dataBridges the knowledge gap between users and GIS entities, allowing data generation and sharing by non-technical usersProprietary (with free trial available).CARTONoWeb-based (Cloud SaaS)CARTOSpatial data science & location intelligenceSpatial SQL, spatial data science, location analytics, site selection, data visualization, mapping, geocoding and app development. Access to a catalog of 1,000s of spatial datasets.Proprietary (with free trial available). FractNoLinux, Windows, Unix, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, CloudFract, Inc.Geospatial AI Analytics for Business IntelligenceEase of use, AI feedback, Territory Mapping ProprietaryMapciteYes for Excel addinLinux, Windows, Unix, iOS, Android, Windows PhoneMapcite Ltd - London and SydneyGeospatial data analytics, location data sets, geocodingEase of aggregation and harmonisation of disparate data sets to expose insights and create new data.Proprietary360FranTerra 20/20iSite
MarketMentorNoGbBISCustom web applications used for a range of spatial analysis including franchise territory design and management, location analysis and site selection, market analysis and more. LuciadLightspeed No Linux, Windows, Unix, iOS, Android, Windows Phone Luciad LuciadLightspeed is widely recognized as the leading set of high-performance geospatial software components. LuciadLightspeed consists of over 100 different software components and connectors to fuse, visualize and analyze geospatial data. This can include static and moving data, maps, satellite imagery, crowd-sourced data, full motion video, weather data and terrain elevation in many different geodetic references and map projections. Geo-fencing, line-of-sight calculations, geo-triggered events, dynamic and complex route calculations and automated anomaly detection are just a mouse click away. Independent benchmark tests by academia and industry leave no doubt: LuciadLightspeed is over 100 times faster and more accurate than traditional GIS software. Web API, Java-J2EE, .NET, JavaScript, HTML5 Proprietary.Polaris IntelligenceNoLinux, Windows, Unix, iOS, Android, Windows PhonePolaris IntelligenceGeospatial data analytics, business intelligenceEasy to use. Polaris Intelligence consists of multiple modules including mapping (thematic maps, heat maps, POI maps, trade area maps), customer profiling, gravity models, customer allocation models, feature selection, data mining, and targeting. A key strength is the vast quantities of consumer geo-demographic and behaviour data native to the platform. ArcGIS No Linux, Windows, Unix, iOS, Android, Windows Phone Esri A GIS system to create, visualize, manage, and analyze spatial data. Supports desktop, web, and mobile applications. In addition to spatial data editing and visualization, ArcGIS provides spatial analysis and modeling features including overlay, surface, proximity, suitability, and network analysis, as well as interpolation analysis and other geostatistical modeling techniques. Python, Web API, .NET Proprietary. Analytical extensions can be purchased separately. ClusterPy (non-GUI, open source)GeoGrouper (GUI, free) yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows RiSE group, Dr. Juan C. Duque and Boris Dev Spatial clustering Library of algorithms to aggregate areas into regions, where each region is geographically connected, while optimizing a predefined objective function. Python BSD license R-Analysis of Spatial Data yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows Roger Bivand (maintainer) Analysis Full integration of spatial data analysis tools with the R: classes for spatial data; handling spatial data; reading and writing spatial data; point pattern analysis; geostatistics; disease mapping and areal data analysis; spatial regression and ecological analysis. R GPL-2 Google Earth yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows Google 3D visualisation Easy to use, dynamic graphics, historical maps, users can create dynamic "tours," integrated with the Web. - Freeware PySAL yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows GeoDa Center Analysis Modules for: computational geometry, spatial weights, ESDA, inequality, mobility and spatial econometrics Python BSD license Minerva yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows Arizona State University Minerva Project Visualization (3D) High performance; ability to display large amounts of raster and vector from multiple sources C++ BSD license GMap Creator yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows CASA CASA website for GMap Creator, Web Mapping Thematic mapping. Creates image pictures from shapefiles and creates Google Maps websites with the data linked to the shapefile - Freeware QGIS yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows QGIS Development Team Visualization Easy to use, ability to expand functionality with Python plugins. Geo-processing functions included. C++ GPL GRASS yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows GRASS Development Team GIS Extensive set of GIS tools for both raster and vector data, SQL, visualization, voxel C, C++, Python, Tcl GPL GeoDa yes Windows, MAC OS, Linux Center for Spatial Data Science, University of Chicago Analysis Interactive exploratory spatial data analysis, dynamic linking and brushing for cross-section data, local cluster stats, basic spatial regression capabilities. C++ GPL STARS yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows GeoDa Center Analysis ESTDA (Exploratory Space-Time Data Analysis). Interactive linking, brushing and travelling for space-time data Python GPL GeoDaSpace yes MAC OS, Windows Center for Spatial Data Science, University of Chicago Spatial Econometrics Advanced spatial models for cross section (GMM, IV and spatial HAC) Python Freeware SANET yes Windows Atsu Okabe Point patterns in networks Analysis of events that occur on networks or alongside networks. Includes 14 tools for point patterns in networks - Freeware CrimeStat yes Windows Ned Levine and Associates Spatial analysis of points, zones, and lines Basic spatial description, hot spot analysis, kernel density interpolation, space-time interaction, journey-to-crime analysis (Geographic profiling), crime travel demand modelling, and spatial regression. - Freeware SaTScan yes Windows, Linux, MAC OS Martin Kulldorff and Information Management Services Inc. Applications by Field of Study Spatial, temporal and Space-Time Scan Statistics C/C++, Java Freeware Croizat yes Linux, MAC OS, Windows Mauro J. Cavalcanti Panbiogeography Ability to integrate and analyze spatial data on species or other taxa and to explore geographical patterns in diversity under a panbiogeographic and