Agisoft Metashape
Agisoft Metashape is a professional photogrammetry software that processes digital images to generate high-quality 3D spatial data, including dense point clouds, textured meshes, and accurate georeferenced orthomosaics for various industries.
Global Mapper
Global Mapper is an all-in-one GIS software providing a comprehensive suite of spatial data processing tools, advanced terrain analysis, and 3D visualization capabilities for both novice and experienced professionals.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Agisoft Metashape | Global Mapper |
|---|---|---|
| Website | agisoft.com | bluemarblegeo.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | One_time |
| Starting Price | $99/month | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2006 | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Paphos, Cyprus | Hallowell, USA |
Overview
Agisoft Metashape
Agisoft Metashape allows you to transform ordinary 2D images into professional-grade 3D models and spatial data. You can process photos from any digital camera, including those mounted on drones or handheld devices, to create highly accurate point clouds and textured meshes. Whether you are mapping a construction site or documenting a cultural heritage site, the software handles the heavy lifting of geometric reconstruction and georeferencing automatically.
You can generate detailed orthomosaics and digital elevation models that are essential for surveying and GIS analysis. The platform is designed to scale with your hardware, utilizing GPU acceleration to speed up processing times for large-scale projects. It serves professionals in archaeology, forestry, mining, and visual effects who need reliable, repeatable results from their imagery.
Global Mapper
Global Mapper is a versatile Geographic Information System (GIS) tool that gives you the power to handle almost any spatial data challenge. Whether you are calculating cut-and-fill volumes, generating contours from terrain data, or performing complex LiDAR processing, you can manage your entire workflow within a single interface. It removes the need for multiple niche tools by supporting over 300 different spatial data formats right out of the box.
You can easily transition from 2D map viewing to immersive 3D fly-throughs to better understand your landscape. The software is designed for professionals in surveying, engineering, and environmental management who need technical precision without a steep learning curve. It provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive enterprise GIS suites while maintaining high-level analytical capabilities for your daily mapping projects.
Overview
Agisoft Metashape Features
- Photogrammetric Triangulation Process various types of imagery to align photos automatically and build accurate sparse point clouds for your projects.
- Dense Point Cloud Generation Generate highly detailed dense clouds that you can classify into ground and non-ground points for elevation modeling.
- 3D Model Reconstruction Create realistic textured meshes from your point clouds to visualize objects and landscapes in full 3D detail.
- Orthomosaic Export Produce high-resolution georeferenced images of large areas, perfect for integration into your existing GIS software tools.
- Multispectral Processing Calculate vegetation indices like NDVI using multispectral imagery to monitor crop health and environmental changes over time.
- Dynamic Scene Support Process 4D data for cinematic effects or scientific monitoring to track how objects or landscapes change through time.
Global Mapper Features
- Extensive Format Support. Access and combine data from over 300 different file formats including SHP, DXF, KML, and various LiDAR types.
- Terrain Analysis. Generate contours, perform watershed mapping, and calculate line-of-sight or viewshed analysis to understand your physical landscape.
- LiDAR Processing. Classify point clouds automatically and create high-resolution digital terrain models from your raw drone or aerial scans.
- 3D Visualization. View your data in a dedicated 3D window to create realistic fly-through videos and evaluate elevation changes.
- Image Rectification. Turn any paper map or unreferenced image into a geographically accurate layer by assigning real-world coordinates.
- Volume Calculation. Measure terrain volume changes and calculate stockpiles accurately using simple polygon tools on your elevation layers.
Pricing Comparison
Agisoft Metashape Pricing
- Photogrammetric triangulation
- Dense point cloud generation
- 3D model textured mesh
- Spherical panorama stitching
- Support for basic 3D formats
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Georeferenced orthomosaic export
- Terrestrial laser scanning support
- Multispectral imagery processing
- Network processing and Python API
- Satellite imagery support
Global Mapper Pricing
- Support for 300+ formats
- Advanced 2D/3D viewing
- Terrain analysis tools
- Digitizer & feature editing
- Scripting and automation
- Online data access
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- LiDAR classification tools
- Pixels-to-Points photogrammetry
- Automatic feature extraction
- Terrain painting tools
- Advanced point cloud filtering
Pros & Cons
Agisoft Metashape
Pros
- One-time purchase price avoids annoying recurring subscription costs
- Excellent processing speed when using modern GPU hardware
- Highly accurate results suitable for professional land surveying
- Flexible enough to handle both drone and handheld imagery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for users new to photogrammetry
- Requires a high-end computer for large-scale processing
- Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-based alternatives
Global Mapper
Pros
- Unmatched variety of supported spatial data formats
- Fast processing speeds for large elevation datasets
- Lower price point than major enterprise competitors
- Intuitive interface that is easy to learn
- Excellent 3D rendering and visualization capabilities
Cons
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern apps
- Advanced LiDAR features require a Pro upgrade
- Limited advanced cartographic styling for final maps