What is the best software to create detailed map overlays?

Answer 1

The best software for creating detailed map overlays depends on your needs and budget, but the two gold standards are ArcGIS and QGIS.

ArcGIS (by Esri) is the industry leader and widely used in the corporate, government, and infrastructure sectors. It’s powerful, well-supported, and integrates with a suite of tools for everything from geospatial analysis to web-based map sharing. However, it is proprietary and can be expensive.

QGIS is a free and open-source alternative that’s incredibly capable and widely used in academia and by independent professionals. It supports most of the same core functions as ArcGIS, including layering, spatial analysis, and plugin-based customization. For most non-enterprise applications, QGIS is more than sufficient.

If you're just getting started or working on a personal or academic project, QGIS is a great place to begin. If you're working within a large organization, ArcGIS is likely the standard.

Answer 2

QGIS and ArcGIS