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Simple GIS Client
What Is Simple GIS Client?
Easy to use GIS software for Windows desktop, laptop, and tablet computers at the lowest price. Create, analyze, and publish spatial data. Many vector editing features plus data wizards to access freely available data from the USGS, US Census Bureau, and OpenStreetMap. Also supports, GPS tracking, geocoding, routing, and navigation. Easily map your addresses from Excel spreadsheets or csv files. Highly customizable via integrated VB editor with access to hundreds of properties and methods.
Who Uses Simple GIS Client?
Anyone desiring to do GIS on a budget. We strive to provide quality software at the lowest price. Ideally suited for individuals and small businesses.
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Simple GIS Client
Reviews of Simple GIS Client
Everything about the software has been awesome, especially the incredible support.
Comments: Just one of the best price-value pieces of software I have found. I work in agriculture, and while we have ag-specific GIS tools with specific functionality for our industry, it's great to have a low cost, full featured GIS package for the random other stuff we do. And because we are sometimes doing the same operation across large numbers of files, I look forward to taking advantage of the automation abilities that the package offers as well.
Pros:
The value for the money, and the support (including customized help on how to do specific GIS things in the software as well as the offer to write VBA scripts as needed
Cons:
The overall interface seems a bit non standard, that is the 4 ease of use rating. It doesn't feel like a modern Windows program, not sure why that is. But it really isn't that big of deal considering all the positives and the incredible value for the money
Alternatives Considered:
Finally a Logic based GIS Program
Comments: It is exactly what I need. I am conducting demographic analysis for a client and have already learned how to create a service area shapefile and calculate the area as well as pull block group data from the 2019ACS for the service area. I am absolutely happy with this product.
Pros:
This software allows one to create maps that she wants without limitations. So much of the GIS software has so much AI in it that it won't do what you tell it to do. And to top it off, there is still direct access to the data you need and many tools included. It is amazing to have a program with the perks I need and none of the ones I do not. And the cost is definitely unbeatable. Also, the tutorials and customer service is excellent. I still have a lot to learn, but feel I will be able to market my company as having GIS capabilities in no time.
Cons:
Absolutely nothing. It has been 15 years since I used GIS on a daily basis, so I have a learning curve, but that is my only issue.
An excellent tool for working on maps and spatial data
Pros:
It helps provide the user with all geographic context which in return helps in decision making..
Cons:
It is not an easy software, it requires a large amount of data entry and the results might not be so accurate..
SimpleGIS: If you want to drive a Chevy instead of a Cadilac to work.
Comments: General GIS use and multi-user edits of shapefiles.
Pros:
Features that we need and none that we do not need!
Cons:
Not as intuitive when you are used to other GIS programs.
Ideal Location and Map Management
Pros:
Simple GIS Client has all the locations, and tracking options, and this saves businesses to remain accountable.
Cons:
Simple GIS Client has made all the tracking processes immediate.
Simply Grand
Comments: Used to use DeLorme Street Atlas before they quit offering it. Very thankful to find Simple GIS. Meets my needs to provide vegetation management along oil & gas pipelines. Use thousands of waypoints along multiple pipelines to keep up with job sites & their respective completion throughout the year.
Pros:
Customer service is great! I'm not a computer whiz and needed help customizing the software to meet my business needs. GIS customer service explained the features & how to do this (including importing lots of different data). GIS continues to help whenever needed with the occasional "need help." Quick responses... patient, timely, helpful, & professional! Thank you!
Cons:
Seems like there's always a wish list.
Such a Great Product!
Comments: My overall experience started with their 30 day trial after I did two week trials with three other mapping software programs. Right away I noticed the graphics were much better than one of the other cartography programs whose graphics looked like the Atari space invaders game. I also noticed the customer service was incredible. One day I'm going to visit these guys and buy them all steak dinners because of all the help they've given me. I asked a ton of questions in those first 30 days and then a ton of questions afterwards. Now they almost never hear from me but when I do need something they are always right there with the answer. The software runs great. I was a bit nervous about doing all the cartography myself but I must say my maps are turning out wonderfully!
Pros:
What do I like most about this software? Everything. It's easy to use. It's super cheap. It gets the job done fast and well. The customer service goes above and beyond answering my inquiries. It stands by it's name - Simple. Everything is laid out in a clear and concise way - easy to find, easy to use. Before I found Simple I tried THREE other mapping software programs - ranging from $2500 to $750 - and Simple is just as good (in one case, far better!) as any of them at a fraction of the price. I don't know why anyone would pay more for a different software when everything they need is right here in Simple. Plus a month long trial? And spectacular customer service? Yeah - it's a no-brainer.
Cons:
It's not really a complaint about the software - it's more that I need a better computer. All of the cartography software programs I tried - and now Simple, which I bought - they all freeze and crash. But that is because my computer is crappy and I need one with better capabilities. I would also suggest making the manual searchable so we could use the "find" function to search for specific topics. Oh - and the youtube tutorial videos are great but I seriously recommend doing them in only 1 to 2 minute segments with specific subjects instead of 30 to 40 minute segments where someone has to wait and wait and wait for their specific question to come up. Leave the long ones on for reference but add those super quick videos so people can speedily reference what they need to know. Or even put a list in the youtube videos description which breaks down the video minute by minute so people can find what they need faster.
Simple GIS Software Response
4 years ago
Thanks for the kind words Christina and for the helpful suggestions!
Affordable entry into GIS
Comments: It is an excellent and affordable way to do GIS tasks. I looked at some of the free options but felt lost. The premium features of Simple GIS are well worth the minimal cost. It allowed me to better understand the community I serve with a small investment of money and time.
Pros:
It strikes a great balance between being simple enough to understand and affordable. The learning curve is a curve, not a cliff.The census data downloader is super easy to use. Printing maps is easy.It balances being powerful without having too many options,
Cons:
It is still not the most intuitive piece of software.QGIS offers better options for data visualization. (I download the data with Simple GIS and then open it in QGIS)The color pallet system is clunky.The geolocation lookup requires a very specific data format.
A software that offers extensive GIS experience
Pros:
It offers a range of features that allow users to create and analyze maps, including tools for data visualization and spatial analysis.
Cons:
The software is not very easy to use if you are not used to other GIS programs.
A program with a bright future
Comments: Well, it's a project that has matured for a long time, and I like that. I have had few problems with the use as it is very similar to others. I really liked the interface.
Pros:
It is an alternative to other programs that are more expensive or that require better hardware.
Cons:
I don't have many criticisms, I'm in the testing phase. Maybe it needs to be corrected and improve the graphics to make it more pleasant to use.
Great value, exceptional support
Comments:
Overall, the software does what it says it will do and at an exceptional price point. I work for a non-profit watershed council and buying expensive GIS software was not even an option. Simple GIS has allowed us to map our data in a useful and understandable way and at a price that we could afford.
The customer service is truly outstanding. In a time where most customer service is outsourced to foreign companies, this is a real breath of fresh air.
Pros:
I'm a rank amateur at GIS. No training, no past experience. I needed a "simple GIS" program that could handle the mapping of radio tracked Pacific Lamprey to show their movements, how long they stayed at each site, and links to photos of their habitats at each site. My data was in Excel and used GPS coordinates in decimal degrees. The Simple GIS software has allowed me to map each location, filter my data for the specific data that I wanted to use, show length the of time that the lamprey stayed at each particular location by varying the size of the icon, connect the locations with graphic arrows to show direction of movement, put each lamprey on a separate layer to allow viewing each one separately or all together, additional information is available for each data point by clicking on the location icon, and links to base maps are easily accessible from the opening creation screen. Because I am such a rookie at GIS, the most important and impressive feature for me has been the exceptional customer service. [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] has walked me through various difficulties throughout the whole process, answered all my questions in a very complete and understandable way, and basically made the whole map possible. Thank You!
Cons:
Since I'm not familiar with other GIS software I must leave comparisons of features to other more experienced users, but I have a couple of general comments. I wish I was able to duplicate a layer. I would also like to be able to connect my data points with a line without having to create that line manually. The general design seems a bit less visually polished than other software that I use, but everything seems to work, so this is a minor concern.
Fantastic Software
Comments: Simple GIS has been a very inexpensive alternative to the big names. The output format is identical. Within a day of research and a short support session we were up and working. Used various software over the last 15 years and the customization and setup of data entry boxes is second to none. Highly recommend the software.
Pros:
The ease of learning and implementing the program. In a very short time we were able to create & produce GIS web maps for client use.
Cons:
After using on a major utility project we do not have anything to put in this area.
Simple GIS Software Response
5 years ago
Hi Matt, I appreciate you taking the time to complete your review. It's good to hear user's feedback and how the software is helping them in their daily work!
Simple in name but a powerful fully functional GIS software. Expected less received more.
Comments: Provides are great affordable GIS software for all users, field and office.
Pros:
An affordable full-featured GIS software. Opens quickly. Links to OLE DB - ODBC databases for live linked point layers. Easy creation of features to Shapefile layers, can simply change back and forth from several active editing layers. Great GPS and tracking support. Works well on small tablets in the field. Reads a wide variety of data sources. Support from the developer is great; bugs are taken care of immediately, and new features carefully considered.
Cons:
A few display issues, high DPI display problems, on super high resolution display, although on most devices it works fine. Map views are not as crisp as they could be, but on the positive side, icons and dialog text are well sized on a variety of display resolutions (can even use with touch on a tablet just fine). Would like a few new features; Export Map View to georeferenced (world header file) image, Bookmarked views/zooms, Toggle Layer edit on TOC right click menu.
Simple GIS Software Response
7 years ago
Thanks Mike. Just an update,, Simple GIS Client has been made dpi aware at version 9.2. So this should take care of any high DPI display issues. Thanks again.
Tremendous set of tools not offered elsewhere, especially for the price!
Pros:
I've been involved in using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software since 1983 with Atlas Graphics. I've used a bunch of systems since then but mostly use the free QGIS, SAGA, and a few other specialized programs. I ran across a new commercial package that has both a desktop client package for Windows as well as a server version. I've never seen one with as many wizards that automate bread and butter tools like a geocoder, an image downloader, a Census downloaded/data builder, etc. plus, it comes with a FREE national geocoder database even though it's wizard will automatically download TIGER or OSM data and build a geocoding database for you. The company pledges to update their free geocoder database each year. I've been corresponding with the company on improvements and they have already made some tweaks to improve the code, some a day later..and on the weekend. Highly recommended.
Cons:
Some development work, now in progress, on the Geocoder is needed. A x64 version could improve larger memory usage for power users.
Good Product for My Project.
Comments: As I mentioned, customer service is great. I’m continuing to navigate and work with the features.
Pros:
I needed an inexpensive map tool to use for an informational travel blog & online course I’m developing. This software is working well. I just wish I had more time to work on it. Customer service is fantastic with quick response to answer my questions and help set up the instructions for my specific need.
Cons:
Detailed printing of map. Not so much for the size as I’m printing in a booklet form. I need it to be a sharper image. It might be my printer. Will continue to work on it.
Incredible Software
Comments: Needed to plot coverage areas in the US. Show 45 mile radius for complete coverage. Then, show assignments received and if they fell in coverage areas. The software even determine and can show the assignments that do not intersect with any part of the coverage area. Amazing.
Pros:
Well, I'm not a map software user per se, but had a project where I needed to accomplish various map views. I searched the internet to find a reasonably priced, fairly easy product to use. This is not an easy task. I found several that were very expensive and I only needed the software for a primary application. For the novice map software user, this type of software can be daunting to learn, so having good help material and access to support is really essential. I totally lucked out and found Simple GIS and [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN]. [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] designed and developed Simple GIS and also took time to work with me online to get me started. The software is Simply "no pun intended" amazing, especially for the price. [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN], you should increase the price. Easy to use, nice help guide, robust and extremely functional, with help if you need it. I cannot thank [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] enough for the software, assistance and he is very nice to boot. A+++ Rating from me. Jay
Cons:
In some cases, using the online help, I could not find what I needed to when searching. Most of this had to do with my naivete with mapping terminology.
Simple GIS Probably Saved my Job
Comments: When my previous map software provider ceased business, I was in trouble. I tried to find something similar, but never did. Then I came across Simple GIS Client and tried the sample. I had trouble figuring it out, but customer service was great in helping me navigate my first project. I am very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone who needs mapping software for real estate sales and auctions, which is my specialty.
Pros:
The ease of downloading aerials and USGS maps, the deed plotter feature and the fact that it has a GPS feature that enables me to take my laptop into the field and mark corners, etc.
Cons:
I sometimes forget how to utilize all the features when I haven't used them in a while. It is more complicated than my previous map software, but has more features.
Simple GIS Software Response
5 years ago
Thanks Don! I'm happy to hear the software is helping out and appreciate you're testimonial!
Simple GIS
Pros:
I really like how user friendly this program is. It is used in our office very frequently. Great program.
Cons:
I can't think of anything bad to say of this program.
Simple GIS Software Response
5 years ago
Thanks for the testimonial Rosa!
SimpleGIS Client
Comments: Overall it is a great product with the best customer service I've experienced. That alone overshadows any growing pains, learning curve or "glitches" associated with becoming familiar with a new product. I was able to product a report with a map that was easily understood by my clients.
Pros:
Best customer service I've ever had with a software program. Went out of the way to tailor specific attributes to meet my needs. Using the tutorials, I was able to get a handle on the nuances of the program to complete my project.
Cons:
As with any new version of a program, there were a few "anomalies" that once pointed out were dealt with poste haste. The help function is not as user friendly as some, specifically with the search aspect.
Great simple mapping app
Comments: It is a very useful software for mapping a variety of different factors.
Pros:
GIS is useful for many applications for a variety of businesses, but the major GIS software is prohibitively expensive. This software solves that problem
Cons:
As expected, the features are not as robust as ArcGIS, but this is very useful for the cost and benefits that it provides.
Great intuitive product developed by a responsive software wizard. Thanks for allowing me to go GIS
Pros:
Intuitive layout and interactive feel. Moving between, and editing, layers is easy. Working with projections is simple and far less complicated (to me anyway) than other programs.
Cons:
Labelling is a bit less intuitive than I would like. Label offsets are a bit cryptic and irregular when data points are close together.
Well designed, intuitive interface leading to a short learning curve with useful GIS capabilities.
Comments: I was able to conduct so spatial analysis that I needed to do by investing a small amount on money and time into Simple GIS.
Pros:
Simple GIS gives one the ability to quickly conduct spatial analysis for a very reasonable expenditure of time and money. The software has most of the capabilities typically needed and it works with data saved in most of the standard GIS formats (e.g., shp, tif, etc). The map function is advanced.
Cons:
Some capabilities I would like to use are not yet supported by Simple GIS the program is under continuous development.