Mergin Maps
Collect, share and publish your geo-data easily
About Mergin Maps
Mergin Maps is a cloud-based geospatial data collection platform built on the open-source QGIS ecosystem. It lets field teams capture, edit and synchronise survey data offline from iOS and Android devices, with forms configured directly in QGIS desktop and changes synced back to the whole team. It is widely used in agriculture, utilities, forestry, environmental protection and local government for mobile mapping and GIS field surveys.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built directly on QGIS, so existing QGIS users can reuse their projects, styling and forms with no new GIS software to learn
- Robust offline data capture with automatic sync makes it reliable in remote field locations
- Open-source Community edition allows free self-hosting with unlimited users and projects
- Unlimited free read-only members and granular permissions make it cost-effective for large teams with few editors
- Supports external Bluetooth GNSS receivers for high-precision survey-grade positioning
- Generous free Academic and Non-Profit plans
Cons
- Requires QGIS knowledge to configure projects and forms, so there is a learning curve for non-GIS users
- Storage is limited (1 GB per contributor on Premium) and extra storage is charged separately
- Pricing is per contributor, which can add up for teams with many active surveyors
- Self-hosting the Community edition demands technical setup and only has community support
- Less suited to general-purpose form/data collection compared to a dedicated GIS workflow
Key Features
QGIS Integration
Configure survey forms and project styling in QGIS desktop and use the exact same setup in the mobile app, with collected data viewable back in QGIS.
Offline Field Surveys
Capture points, lines and polygons and fill out survey forms with no internet connection, then sync automatically once the device is back online.
Team Sync & Collaboration
Synchronise project data across the whole team with full edit history, so multiple surveyors can contribute to the same project.
External GNSS Support
Connect external GPS/GNSS receivers via Bluetooth for high-precision, centimetre-level positioning in the field.
Live Position Tracking
Track your live position on the map while surveying to record routes and navigate to features.
Role-Based Permissions
Grant granular access such as read-only roles for external contractors and guest accounts, with unlimited free read-only members.
Wide-Format Data Export
Export captured data to CSV, Excel, ESRI Shapefile, MapInfo, GeoPackage, PostGIS, AutoCAD DXF and KML.
Web Maps & Online Preview
Preview QGIS projects online and share interactive webmaps with stakeholders and the public.
PostgreSQL/PostGIS Integration
Sync project data directly to a PostgreSQL/PostGIS database and use developer tools and the API for automation.
Pricing
- Fully open-source, self-hosted on GitHub
- Unlimited users and projects
- Access to project history
- Community support on Slack
- Unlimited free read-only members
- Up to 20 contributors
- 1 GB storage per contributor (extra at €2.5/GB)
- Webmaps and online QGIS project preview
- Seamless QGIS integration and external GNSS support
- Flexible role-based permissions and guest accounts
- API access
- Billed annually (€19.5/contributor when billed monthly)
- Everything in Premium
- Unlimited contributors and storage
- PostgreSQL integration, automated media transfer and work-packages
- Choice of data residency and on-premises hosting
- SSO, advanced security compliance and custom branding/domain
- Dedicated account manager and priority support SLA
- Multi-year agreements and migration assistance
- Academic plan: unlimited users, up to 5 GB storage, unlimited projects
- Non-profit plan (annual income under $30k): unlimited users, 500 MB storage
- Webmap sharing and developer tools
- Community support
- Tiered NGO discounts (20-60%) for larger budgets
Best For
Agriculture & Farm Monitoring
Growers map parcels and monitor moisture, pests and disease conditions across farmland, syncing observations from the field back to QGIS.
Utility & Fibre Network Mapping
Utility and telecom crews map underground pipelines, optic cables and cabinets and document construction work with geotagged photos.
Forestry & Environmental Surveys
Foresters and ecologists track planting and harvest events, map tree and animal habitats, and run offline biodiversity surveys.
Local Government Asset Tracking
Councils inventory municipal assets such as trees, benches and utilities, then publish the data online as webmaps for citizens.
Heritage & Archaeology
Conservation teams record excavation finds and preserve ancient site data with precise GNSS positioning in the field.
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