# QGIS, Surfer vs GeoServer Comparison | | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 154 | 126 | 25 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (44.9% of reviews) | Small-Business (53.2% of reviews) | Small-Business (55.0% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | $599.00 1 License Per Year | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### QGIS Pros: - Customization Options (3 reviews) - Ease of Use (2 reviews) Cons: - Stability Issues (3 reviews) - Feature Limitations (2 reviews) ### Surfer **Not enough data** ### GeoServer **Not enough data** --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (130 reviews) | 8.6 (102 reviews) | 8.5 (12 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.1 (130 reviews) | 8.7 (106 reviews) | 8.9 (12 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 8.8 (33 reviews) | 9.1 (48 reviews) | 8.0 (10 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.5 (18 reviews) | 8.9 (47 reviews) | 8.7 (10 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 7.5 (107 reviews) | 9.2 (90 reviews) | 7.1 (11 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.7 (20 reviews) | 9.3 (45 reviews) | 7.9 (8 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.9 (124 reviews) | 8.4 (107 reviews) | 6.1 (12 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### QGIS #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### Surfer #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Surfer® single -user subscription Price: $599.00 1 License Per Year Description: Billed annually Key Features: - Access to the latest version of Surfer and Surfer Beta - Free upgrades, updates, and fixes during the term of your subscription - Access to Surfer on two personal devices [Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/surfer/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### GeoServer #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### GIS | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **QGIS** | 8.7/10 | 64 | | **Surfer** | 7.9/10 | 8 | | **GeoServer** | 7.8/10 | 17 | #### Data Management | Feature | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Data Capture** | 9.1 (54 reviews) | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 8.2 (12 reviews) | | **Data Storage** | 8.5 (52 reviews) | 6.9 (6 reviews) | 8.2 (11 reviews) | | **Data Manipulation** | 8.8 (56 reviews) | 6.7 (6 reviews) | 7.4 (11 reviews) | | **Data Visualization** | 8.8 (56 reviews) | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 8.2 (11 reviews) | #### Map Creation | Feature | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Geocoding** | 8.7 (48 reviews) | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 7.4 (11 reviews) | | **Buffer Zone Query** | 8.6 (48 reviews) | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 7.3 (10 reviews) | | **Overlaying** | 9.1 (55 reviews) | 7.9 (7 reviews) | 8.2 (12 reviews) | | **Publishing** | 8.4 (46 reviews) | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 8.1 (12 reviews) | #### Analysis | Feature | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Spatial Analysis** | 8.9 (55 reviews) | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 7.7 (8 reviews) | | **Reporting ** | 8.5 (51 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 8.0 (10 reviews) | | **Real-Time Streaming ** | 7.8 (34 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 6.9 (8 reviews) | ### Geology and Seismic | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **QGIS** | N/A | N/A | | **Surfer** | N/A | N/A | | **GeoServer** | N/A | N/A | #### Agentic AI - Geology and Seismic | Feature | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Oil and Gas Engineering | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **QGIS** | N/A | N/A | | **Surfer** | N/A | N/A | | **GeoServer** | N/A | N/A | #### Agentic AI - Oil and Gas Engineering | Feature | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Oil and Gas Simulation and Modeling | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **QGIS** | N/A | N/A | | **Surfer** | N/A | N/A | | **GeoServer** | N/A | N/A | #### Agentic AI - Oil and Gas Simulation and Modeling | Feature | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [GIS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/gis) **Unique to Surfer (4):** [Mining Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mining), [Oil and Gas Engineering Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/oil-and-gas-engineering), [Geology and Seismic Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/geology-and-seismic), [Oil and Gas Simulation and Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/oil-and-gas-simulation-and-modeling) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | QGIS | Surfer | GeoServer | |---|---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 44.9% | 53.2% | 55.0% | | **Mid-Market** | 27.9% | 25.8% | 40.0% | | **Enterprise** | 27.2% | 21.0% | 5.0% | ### By Industry #### QGIS - **Civil Engineering:** 11.6% - **Information Technology and Services:** 11.0% - **Government Administration:** 9.6% - **Research:** 9.6% - **Environmental Services:** 8.2% - **Higher Education:** 6.2% - **Computer Software:** 5.5% - **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 4.8% - **Oil & Energy:** 4.1% - **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.7% - **Other:** 26.7% #### Surfer - **Environmental Services:** 29.0% - **Oil & Energy:** 15.3% - **Research:** 12.9% - **Mining & Metals:** 11.3% - **Civil Engineering:** 9.7% - **Higher Education:** 4.0% - **Construction:** 3.2% - **Renewables & Environment:** 2.4% - **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.4% - **Government Administration:** 2.4% - **Other:** 7.3% #### GeoServer - **Environmental Services:** 15.0% - **Research:** 10.0% - **Information Technology and Services:** 10.0% - **Computer Software:** 10.0% - **Civil Engineering:** 10.0% - **Utilities:** 5.0% - **Telecommunications:** 5.0% - **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 5.0% - **Management Consulting:** 5.0% - **Individual & Family Services:** 5.0% - **Other:** 20.0% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to QGIS - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews) - [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews) - [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (384 reviews) - [ArcGIS Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-pro/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (190 reviews) - [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (190 reviews) - [Maptitude](https://www.g2.com/products/maptitude/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (148 reviews) - [MapInfo Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/mapinfo-pro/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (120 reviews) - [Google Maps Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/google-maps-platform/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (58 reviews) - [Mapbox](https://www.g2.com/products/mapbox/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (41 reviews) - [Octave Imagine (ERDAS IMAGINE)](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-imagine-erdas-imagine/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (31 reviews) ### Alternatives to Surfer - [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews) - [GEOVIA Surpac](https://www.g2.com/products/geovia-surpac/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (23 reviews) - [Petrel E&P Software Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/schlumberger-petrel-e-p-software-platform/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (17 reviews) - [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (384 reviews) - [BatchGeo](https://www.g2.com/products/batchgeo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1047 reviews) - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews) - [Xactly](https://www.g2.com/products/xactly/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1091 reviews) - [Badger Maps](https://www.g2.com/products/badger-maps/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews) - [Smarty](https://www.g2.com/products/smarty-smarty/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews) - [Geopointe](https://www.g2.com/products/geopointe/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (284 reviews) ### Alternatives to GeoServer - [ArcGIS Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-enterprise/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (67 reviews) - [Mapbox](https://www.g2.com/products/mapbox/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (41 reviews) - [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews) - [OpenStreetMap](https://www.g2.com/products/openstreetmap/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (19 reviews) - [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (190 reviews) - [Google Maps Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/google-maps-platform/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (58 reviews) - [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (384 reviews) - [BatchGeo](https://www.g2.com/products/batchgeo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1047 reviews) - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews) - [Xactly](https://www.g2.com/products/xactly/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1091 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### QGIS - Title: [What is QGIS used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-qgis-used-for) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "QGIS is used for mapping, geographic data analysis, spatial planning, and visualization. It helps users create and edit maps, analyze locations, manage GIS..." - Title: [Is Qgis as good as ArcGIS?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-qgis-as-good-as-arcgis) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Definitely, QGIS is a good software but not as handy as ArcGIS in terms of analysis Tools and Applications." - Title: [What is the most stable version of Qgis?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-most-stable-version-of-qgis) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "I have been using Version 3.28 for 2 years now,I have found it to be very stable and able to perform all operations that I need." - Title: [Can QGIS solve the problem of TAB file and Shape file](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-qgis-solve-the-problem-of-tab-file-and-shape-file) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Hi Himanshu, What I generally do for this kind of error is to check with coordinate systems of both TAB & SHP files. When we're using ArcGIS or QGIS, the..." ### Surfer - Title: [How much does Surfer cost? Are there ongoing maintenance and support fees?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/surfer-pricing) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "A full license of Surfer costs $849US. Licenses are perpetual and have no ongoing maintenance and support fees. All maintenance updates are provided free of..." - Title: [What technical resources are available to me?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/technical-resources) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "We take great pride in the quality of our technical support and have created many resources for you. Live support - Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm..." - Title: [What license options are available?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/license-options) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "A single-user license grants one user the right to use the software license. For each single user license you purchase, you will receive a unique product..." - Title: [Do you offer a trial version of Surfer?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/1827-do-you-offer-a-trial-version-of-surfer) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "A free Surfer demo is available via download from this URL: http://d6h5he89yy2it.cloudfront.net/demo/surferdemo.exe The demo is fully featured. You can..." ### GeoServer No discussions available for this product. --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/qgis-vs-surfer-vs-geoserver)