Online mapping tools help businesses analyze and visualize spatial data, whether defining sales territories, planning delivery routes, or tracking urban development. Powered by geographic information systems (GIS), today’s platforms make it easy to create accurate, interactive maps that anyone can use.

Finding the right software for map projects lets you quickly interpret raw data, collaborate with teammates, and make more informed decisions. 

Explore the best mapping software platforms available, their core features, and the key factors to consider to help you find the best fit for your needs.

The Top 8 Online Mapping Tools

GIS software empowers teams with visual data, real-time updates, and seamless integration. Here are the eight best interactive mapping programs for any project.

1. Felt

Felt is the first and only cloud-native GIS, helping teams create, analyze, and share maps quickly. There’s no need for technical know-how or desktop installation — the platform is instantly available to every team member and stakeholder via a simple link.

This easy-to-use mapping software is straightforward and accessible to technical and non-technical users. With its smooth and intuitive interface, you can create custom maps, add memorable symbols and icons, and leave comments in a few clicks.

Here are Felt’s main benefits:

• User-friendly display: Felt encourages everyone to contribute with simple features and functionality. Upload anything — drag and drop any file or format to instantly process and visualize the data.
• Top-notch security: The platform offers enterprise-grade privacy and multiple hosting regions so you know your data’s safe. It’s GDPR compliant and SOC 2 Type II certified.
• Robust performance: Felt provides optimized, lightning-fast performance, allowing you to process massive datasets. Analyze thousands of data points and discover key patterns faster.
• Developer-ready tools: This advanced GIS is developer-friendly, letting you build unique apps and dashboards. Customize your experience, add functionality, and weave Felt into your workflows and pipelines.
  
  

2. Esri

Esri ArcGIS is known for its deep spatial analysis and visualization. It offers several tools, including Esri ArcGIS Online, a cloud-based mapping platform, and Esri ArcGIS Pro, a desktop platform. 

Pros:

• Varied platforms: Esri provides cloud-based, desktop, and mobile GIS tools for teams with diverse needs.
• Detailed support: It offers thorough customer support, including a knowledge base and high-quality technical help.

Cons:

• Poor integration: Esri has a very specific workflow and framework, making it difficult for teams to switch between tools.
  
  

3. Google Maps

Google Maps is one of the most famous mapping tools, but it goes beyond locating shops and getting directions. Businesses can upload spreadsheets and create custom maps, adding details like markers, shapes, and images. However, it’s a bit simplistic and lacks in-depth analysis, so it isn’t the best professional platform.

Pros:

• Free basic mapping: While it isn’t a very detailed business tool, Google Maps is a reliable free platform to help you get started.
• Quick route planning: This tool provides multi-stop route planning up to 10 destinations, and offers real-time and predictive traffic information.

Cons:

• Data inaccuracy: Users report inconsistent information, non-existent locations, and incorrect addresses.
  
  

4. Carto

Carto is mapping software with low-code spatial analysis. It’s known for its powerful analytics, which lets data teams analyze large scale spatial datasets. However, reviews say the learning curve spikes with certain features, making it too basic for advanced users but too complex for beginners.

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Pros:

• Straightforward interface: Carto uses a visual, widget-driven system, intended to lower the barrier to entry for users without GIS experience.
• Personalization: This platform lets you add logos, brand colors, and custom labels to your maps. It also has developer-centric API integrations.

Cons:

• Complexity and learning curve: Advanced building and data management features can be confusing and challenging to master.
  
  

5. Maptive

Maptive helps you visualize and interact with geospatial information. Users can upload details from spreadsheets like Excel and Google Sheets and create custom maps to explore, share, and analyze. Maptive is best for small mapping projects, as performance often suffers when processing large amounts of data.

Pros:

• Simple interface: Maptive is an easy-to-use platform, with smooth onboarding for most users to learn regardless of skill level.
• Solid customization: Teams can personalize their experience by choosing the map style and markers and adding brand logos and assets.
• Reliable customer support: Maptive has a large support center, including live online chat and email. They provide the same support options to every subscription tier.

Cons:

• Processing challenges: Users often experience stuttering performance when uploading and working with large amounts of data.
• Awkward data integrations: Maptive may have problems correctly syncing and uploading spreadsheet data. It also lacks support for complex GIS files, like GeoJSON.
  
  

6. BatchGeo

BatchGeo creates maps from spreadsheet files like Excel and CSV. While it provides technical spatial analysis, it’s a basic program that lets teams give mapping software a try without overwhelming them with features. However, this also means it’s a little rudimentary and lacks in-depth customization.

Pros:

• Fast creation: BatchGeo reads spreadsheets and turns the data into interactive maps quickly. 
• Free plan: It provides a simple free plan to introduce users to mapping tools. While it isn’t intended for long-term business use, it’s an option for beginners to try digital maps.

Cons:

• Limited file compatibility: The platform lacks compatibility with common GIS formats, like Shapefiles and GeoJSON. It’s aimed at spreadsheet users, particularly Excel-heavy teams.
  
  

7. Mapbox

Mapbox caters primarily to developers and includes 3D modeling and API functionality. It allows users to visualize their projects with satellite imagery, terrain information, and street views, but it may be too complicated for non-technical users.

Pros:

• In-depth tools: It allows users to create detailed 3D visualizations and use API features to integrate mapping and navigation functionality into their own applications.
• Strong personalization: Mapbox provides rounded customization, including font, colors, and map layers. 

Cons:

• Steep learning curve: Reviews say that Mapbox is complex for non-technical users and it can also take developers some time to onboard.
  
  

8. Mapline

Mapline offers multiple tools, including spatial visualization, vehicle routing, and team scheduling. This gives teams a range of ways to manage location data, but it may be overwhelming or expensive for small to mid-sized businesses.

Pros:

• Diverse data management: Mapline’s various tools give organizations a rounded tech stack to visualize spatial data.
• Detailed customization: It provides deep personalization, such as colored pins, dynamic labels, and different base map styles.

Cons:

• Complex options: Mapline’s large selection of tools may be confusing. Reviews also say its features and interface are difficult to navigate.

Finding the Right Mapping Tools for Your Needs

The best mapping software depends on your team size and the types of projects your company deals with. Advanced platforms with in-depth analytics and custom map building are ideal for complex spatial analysis. Tools with simple, intuitive interfaces work better when data needs to be shared with non-technical users such as stakeholders or new teammates. 

It’s important to review your tech budget, too. If your team isn’t committed yet, try a basic plan from platforms like Felt. That way, you can start using mapping software for free, letting you learn the features and see the results before diving into pro subscription tiers.

Explore How Felt Transforms Online Mapping

Mapping tools are essential for visualizing and managing spatial data. While every team has different needs, Felt offers a well-rounded experience across industries and applications. It can process massive datasets in seconds, helping businesses analyze and share location-based information faster. Upload any file format and turn it into a visually rich map — no coding skills required. Customize your display, invite teammates and stakeholders, and enhance efficiency with real-time updates.

Transform raw data into actionable insights with Felt.