Given the wide array of mapping tools available, it could be hard to know which ones will best suit the needs of a given project. This post will review and compare six of the most popular mapping tools available so you can find the right tool for you. If you don’t currently have a mapping project in mind, this guide could be a helpful resource to get a sense of the possibilities.

Here are some basic questions to start off with that will help you narrow down your options.

• Do you want your final map to be static (an image) or interactive (a web-based application)?
• Would you be willing to pay for a service?
• What is your time commitment? Do you have the time to learn higher level mapping skills, which is better for doing a spatial analysis, or do you want a tool that can allow you to make a map quickly because you just want to visualize spatial data?
• Will you be working in a team? Might you need a shared platform for creating your map?

For the ease of comparing each mapping tool, I have created a standard rubric based on these questions. Additionally, I have grouped the tools into two main categories—tools for creating static maps and tools for creating interactive maps. Let’s review each one!