The following list is comprised of software, tools, and applications that were designed specifically for participatory mapping or data collection. Not included are other general mapping tools that could well be used for participatory mapping projects or research, such as open source GIS software and other resources.
If there is a tool not currently represented on this list, or if you would like to propose a correction, please submit this information using this form.
Data Collection
| Name | Type of Application | Description of Features | Licensing or Cost | Affiliated Organization or Institution | Contact |
| Collector for ArcGIS | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Basic data collection functionality; connected to ArcGIS platform and environment | Proprietary commercial software | Esri | |
| Field Papers | Paper-based field mapping | Printed maps for participatory mapping exercises in the field, that can be georeferenced using a QR code. Integrated with Mapbox and OSM, custom layers possible as well. | Free and open-source | Stamen Design | |
| GeoODK | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Application built on top of ODK interface with enhanced geographical capacity | Free and open-source | GeoMarvel | support@geomarvel.com |
| Geopaparazzi | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Application developed to do very fast qualitative engineering/geologic surveys and GIS data collection; gvSIG compatibility | Free and open-source | HydroloGIS | Google Forum |
| gvSIG Mobile | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Application built to be used with the open-source gvSIG platform | Free and open-source | gvSIG | gvSIG mailing lists |
| OpenDataKit (ODK) | Mobile online/offline data collection (with geopoint functionality) | Custom forms for data collection, and other tools; aggregation system or hosting on service like Google Apps | Free and open-source | Community of developers | ODK Contact page |
| OpenMapKit (OMK) | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Extension of ODK; OpenStreetMap-powered field data collection tool | Free and open-source | American Red Cross | |
| KoBoToolbox | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Suite of field data collection tools developed specifically for working in humanitarian crises | Free and open-source | Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Hannah Torres (hannah.torres@ucf.edu) |
| Sapelli | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Data collection across language or literacy barriers through highly configurable icon-driven user interfaces | Free and open-source | Extreme Citizen Science (ExCiteS) | Contact form |
| Survey123 | Mobile online/offline spatial data collection | Customizable forms for data collection akin to ODK, more sophisticated than ArcGIS Collector; connected to ArcGIS platform and environment | Proprietary commercial software | Esri | |
| GIS Cloud | Mobile data collection | Solution for field data collection that allows you to collect points, lines and polygons with a smartphone; connected to GIS Cloud platform and environment | Free and pay-as-you-go pricing | GIS Cloud | Contact email |
Surveys and Crowdsourcing
| Name | Type of Application | Description of Features | Licensing or Cost | Affiliated Organization or Institution | Contact |
| Crowdsource Polling and Crowdsource Reporter | Map-based tools for submitting feedback to local government | Intended to solicit feedback or gauge sentiment on local government plans, submitting problems, and to create dialogue between members of the community; connected to ArcGIS platform and environment | Proprietary commercial software | Esri | Allison Muise (amuise@esri.com) |
| Emotional Maps | Participatory mapping surveys | Online web-map surveys focused on emotional mapping of users’ relationship with their lived environment | Free (contact the developers) | Palacky University Olomouc | Jirka Panek (Jirkapanek@gmail.com) |
| Maptionnaire | Participatory mapping surveys | User-friendly questionnaire creation; interpretation and insight of results | Fee structure depending on type of plan | Mapita | Timo Hämäläinen (timo.hamalainen@mapita.fi) |
| Map Your World | Participatory mapping surveys | Online mapping tool targeting youth to explore issues and ideas to make change in their communities | Free | Map Your World | Timo Hämäläinen (info@mapyourworld.org) |
| SeaSketch | Collaborative marine spatial planning platform | Using a map interface, stakeholders can generate proposals representing a range of proposals, to help make better management decisions | Licensing fee | SeaSketch | Will McClintock (will@ucsb.edu) |
| Ushahidi | Custom surveys and crowdsourcing tools | Set of tools designed to crowdsource, analyze, visualize and respond to timely data about events or crises | Pay-as-you-go pricing (with basic free option), source code on GitHub | Ushahidi | Contact page |
| GIS Cloud | Custom surveys and crowdsourcing tools | Crowdsourcing solution for organizations, cities, public and anonymous users. Anonymous users can submit reports, including photos and comments, of any kind using Mobile or Web App. Citizens can review existing reports, comment or vote on reports and observations submitted by others; connected to GIS Cloud platform and environment | Proprietary commercial software | GIS Cloud | Contact email |
Mapping and Data Management
| Name | Type of Application | Description of Features | Licensing or Cost | Affiliated Organization or Institution | Contact |
| Mapeo | Offline map editing software | Utilizes editor and flexible data structure from OpenStreetMap to enable offline mapping, collaboration, and data sharing control | Free and open-source | Digital Democracy | Emily Jacobi (ejacobi@digital-democracy.org) |
| Portable OpenStreetMap (POSM) | Hardware device loaded with offline versions of cloud-based software | POSM broadcasts a wireless signal that other devices can connect to in order to access tools that ordinarily require an internet connection, making it possible to take all parts of a mapping workflow offline; includes support for ODK, Field Papers, OpenStreetMap, and other tools | Software is free and open-source; hardware costs ~$300 | American Red Cross | contact@posm.org |
| Terrastories | Offline-compatible geostorytelling application | Mapping content management system designed to link audiovisual content with a Mapbox-driven vector tile map; equipped with a login system for restricted access stories and mapping content; entirely functional offline, compatible with Mapbox Studio; designed for remote communities | Free and open-source | Amazon Conservation Team | Rudo Kemper (rkemper@amazonteam.org) |
| Trailmark | Mapping content management system for traditional knowledge | Web-based software intended for communities to manage land use and traditional knowledge information; application (for iOS, Android, and Windows Mobile) for mobile data collection | Pay-as-you-go pricing (with basic free option) | Trailmark Systems | Peter Evans (peter.evans@trailmarksys.com) |
| GIS Cloud | Online map editing tool | GIS Cloud’s Map Editor is a cloud-based map tool for building and sharing your maps. It supports a number of vector and raster formats, rich GIS symbology, and has built-in collaboration capabilities for real-time editing and sharing. | Proprietary commercial software | GIS Cloud | Contact email |