MapWindow GIS
MapWindow GIS is a free, open-source geographic information system project for Windows desktop use, with an API and self-hosted options.
What MapWindow GIS is
MapWindow GIS is a free, open-source geographic information system project for Windows desktop use, with an API and self-hosted options. Its MapWindow5 application provides desktop mapping through the MapWinGIS engine and can be expanded with plugins. MapWindow5 works with PostGIS, MS-SQL Spatial, SpatiaLite, and WMS, and includes a toolbox with restartable tasks and multithreaded tools. Plugins and toolbox tools use the Managed Extensibility Framework, with examples such as buffering and clipping. The wider project includes MapWinGIS, a C++ ActiveX control and API for adding maps to Windows Forms applications, and DotSpatial, a .NET 4 library for spatial data, analysis, and mapping. HydroDesktop supports discovery, download, visualization, and analysis of hydrologic and climate data. The project states an MIT license, commercial use, raster support, and advanced spatial analysis. A free plan is listed, with no free trial.
Good
- Free plan with MIT licensing
- Plugin-extensible desktop GIS
- Supports major spatial databases and WMS
- Multithreaded, restartable processing tasks
- Includes developer APIs and libraries
Watch out
- Windows-focused desktop deployment
- MapWindow5 documentation is under construction
- No free trial is listed
Who it suits
MapWindow GIS suits Windows users who need free GIS software with advanced spatial analysis and raster support. It also fits developers adding mapping or spatial functions to applications.
Verdict
MapWindow GIS combines a free Windows desktop GIS with plugins, spatial data connections, and developer components. Its documentation status and Windows focus are important considerations before adoption.
Plans and prices
From MapWindow GIS's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| MapWindow GIS | Free | Free and open source · MIT license · Free for commercial products |
The facts
Each one read from MapWindow GIS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Customization
- MapWindow5 uses the Managed Extensibility Framework for plugins and toolbox tools, with examples including buffering and clipping.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Developer control
- MapWinGIS is a C++ ActiveX control and API that can add mapping functionality to Windows Forms applications written in Visual Basic, C#, Delphi, or other languages supporting ActiveX.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Developer library
- DotSpatial is a GIS library written for .NET 4 that lets developers add spatial data, analysis, and mapping functions to applications.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- MapWindow5 documentation is still under construction, while MapWinGIS has API documentation and C# code samples.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Hydrology
- HydroDesktop helps users discover, download, visualize, and analyze hydrologic and climate data registered with the CUAHSI Hydrologic Information System.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The site says its tools and applications use the MIT license and may be used in commercial products.checked 9 Oct 2026
- MapWindow5
- MapWindow5 is a desktop GIS that can be extended with plugins and uses MapWinGIS as its mapping engine.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Processing
- MapWindow5 includes a toolbox with restartable tasks and supports multithreaded tools.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Product scope
- The MapWindow GIS project includes an open-source desktop GIS, an extensible plugin architecture, a GIS ActiveX control, and the DotSpatial C# GIS programmer library.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Project management
- The project says it is managed by volunteers and supported by donations.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The MapWindow5 GitHub releases page lists v5.6 as a stable version and says its internal version number is v5.6.3.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Spatial databases and services
- MapWindow5 supports geo-databases including PostGIS, MS-SQL Spatial, and SpatiaLite, as well as WMS.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs technical questions to its discussion forum and bug reports or feature requests to its issue tracker.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1998checked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker and start date
- The site identifies Daniel P. Ames as co-founder and says he started the MapWindow project in 1998; it does not state a headquarters or company founding date.checked 9 Oct 2026
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