Felt
Felt is a collaborative mapping tool that allows you to create, customize, and share interactive maps with your team using advanced data visualization and drawing tools.
UrbanSim
UrbanSim is a simulation platform that helps you model urban growth and real estate markets to support data-driven planning and investment decisions for sustainable cities.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Felt | UrbanSim |
|---|---|---|
| Website | felt.com | urbansim.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has 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 | 2021 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Oakland, USA | Berkeley, USA |
Overview
Felt
Felt is a modern mapping platform that lets you create beautiful, data-rich maps directly in your browser. You can upload large datasets, draw directly on the map, and collaborate with your team in real-time. It eliminates the need for complex desktop GIS software by providing an intuitive interface where you can layer information, style elements, and share your work instantly via a simple link.
You can use it for everything from urban planning and environmental monitoring to simple site selection and storytelling. The platform handles the heavy lifting of data processing, allowing you to focus on uncovering insights and communicating them clearly. Whether you are a solo researcher or part of a large organization, you can manage spatial data without the typical technical overhead.
UrbanSim
UrbanSim provides you with a sophisticated platform for modeling the complex interactions between land use, transportation, and the economy. You can simulate how different planning policies, infrastructure investments, and market trends will shape your city over decades. By using its data-driven engine, you can visualize future growth patterns and evaluate the long-term impacts of your decisions on housing affordability and transit accessibility.
The platform serves public agencies, real estate developers, and research institutions who need to move beyond static maps. You can run multiple 'what-if' scenarios to compare different development paths and share interactive results with stakeholders. It transforms raw demographic and economic data into actionable spatial insights, helping you build more resilient and efficient urban environments.
Overview
Felt Features
- Real-time Collaboration Work together on the same map simultaneously with your team and see changes happen instantly as you edit.
- Data Upload & Styling Drag and drop spreadsheets or GeoJSON files to create custom layers with automatic styling and smart defaults.
- Annotation Tools Draw shapes, write notes, and add markers directly on your map to highlight specific areas or provide context.
- Felt Data Library Access a massive library of curated global datasets including boundaries, climate data, and satellite imagery with one click.
- Advanced Data Transformation Filter, join, and transform your datasets directly in the browser using a simple, spreadsheet-like interface for spatial analysis.
- Instant Sharing Share your maps with a private link or embed them into your website to reach a wider audience.
UrbanSim Features
- Scenario Modeling. Create and compare multiple development scenarios to see how different zoning or infrastructure changes impact your city.
- Real Estate Analysis. Predict market demand and supply shifts to understand where new housing and commercial spaces will likely emerge.
- Cloud Simulation Engine. Run complex urban simulations in the cloud without needing expensive local hardware or specialized technical infrastructure.
- Interactive Visualization. Transform technical simulation data into 3D maps and charts that you can easily present to community stakeholders.
- Data Integration. Import your existing GIS layers and demographic data to build a digital twin of your specific metropolitan area.
- Policy Impact Assessment. Measure how specific regulations like rent control or density bonuses will affect long-term urban growth and affordability.
Pricing Comparison
Felt Pricing
- Unlimited public maps
- Up to 5 private maps
- Full data library access
- Basic styling tools
- Standard data uploads
- Everything in Personal, plus:
- Unlimited private maps
- Advanced styling and symbols
- Team workspaces
- Priority support
- Enhanced data limits
UrbanSim Pricing
Pros & Cons
Felt
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface compared to traditional GIS
- Fast performance even with large datasets
- Seamless real-time collaboration for remote teams
- Beautiful default map styles and typography
Cons
- Lacks some advanced spatial analysis functions
- Limited offline capabilities for field work
- Pricing can be high for small teams
UrbanSim
Pros
- Unmatched depth in modeling complex urban market dynamics
- Strong academic and research foundation ensures scientific accuracy
- Cloud-based platform simplifies collaboration across different departments
- Highly customizable for specific regional planning requirements
Cons
- Requires high-quality baseline data for accurate results
- Significant learning curve for non-technical planning staff
- Pricing is not transparent for small-scale projects