Atlas vs QField

QField brings QGIS projects to mobile devices for field data collection. Atlas is a browser-first collaborative mapping platform with built-in offline support, live team maps, and no-code tools—without any QGIS dependency. Both serve field teams, but they come from very different directions. Here is the full breakdown.

Introducing Atlas and QField

Atlas

Atlas is a cloud-native GIS platform where teams upload spatial data, build interactive maps, run spatial analysis, and create no-code apps with forms, filters, and dashboards. Field teams collect data in the browser or offline, and submissions sync to a live map that the whole organization can see. No desktop software or app installs are required.

QField

QField is the official mobile companion for QGIS. You build your map project in QGIS Desktop, package it for QField, and deploy it to Android or iOS devices. Field workers collect and edit data using the full power of QGIS styling, symbology, and data models. QField supports offline work with sync through QFieldCloud. It is built for teams already running QGIS.

Quick Comparison Table

Field Data Collection

Atlas

Atlas supports field data collection through browser-based forms linked to map layers. Field workers open a link on their phone, tap the map, fill a form, and submit. Atlas also supports offline data collection—crews working without connectivity can capture data locally, and it syncs automatically when they reconnect. Data appears on the live map for the entire team as soon as it syncs.

Pros:

• No app install—works in any mobile browser
• Offline mode for areas without connectivity
• Data is visible to the whole team as soon as it syncs
• Non-technical users can submit data without GIS training

Cons:

• Mobile browser experience may feel less native than a dedicated app
• Does not support QGIS-style form widgets or sketching

QField

QField is a purpose-built native mobile app. It renders your QGIS project on the device with full support for layer styles, attribute forms, sketching, GPS tracking, and external GNSS receivers. Offline editing is a core feature—download the project, collect data in disconnected environments, and sync through QFieldCloud when back online.

Pros:

• Native app optimized for field conditions
• Full support for QGIS styling, forms, and sketching
• External GNSS receiver support for high-precision positioning
• Full offline capability with QFieldCloud sync

Cons:

• Requires QGIS Desktop to design and manage projects
• Field workers must install the QField app
• Data is not visible to others until sync completes
• Project packaging and deployment adds setup complexity

Which to Choose?

Choose Atlas when you want the simplest path to field data collection with offline support and no app installs. Choose QField when you need QGIS's full data model, sketching tools, or high-precision GNSS integration in the field.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Access

Atlas

Atlas is built for mixed teams. Multiple people edit the same map simultaneously in the browser. Maps are shared via link—viewers need no software, accounts, or GIS expertise. Embeds drop into websites, dashboards, and reports. Field submissions are visible to the office in real time.

Pros:

• Real-time co-editing in the browser
• Share maps with anyone via URL
• Embeddable maps for portals and websites
• No software required for viewers

Cons:

• Collaboration is tied to the Atlas platform

QField

QField relies on QFieldCloud for synchronization. Field workers collect data independently and changes merge when they connect. Project managers review data in QGIS Desktop. Sharing results with non-QGIS users requires exporting or publishing through a separate tool.

Pros:

• Sync-based workflow works for distributed field teams
• Change tracking and conflict handling through QFieldCloud
• Tight integration with QGIS for advanced users

Cons:

• No real-time co-editing
• Non-QGIS users cannot view or interact with the data
• Sharing with stakeholders requires additional export or publishing steps
• No embeddable web maps

Which to Choose?

Choose Atlas when the office, field teams, and stakeholders all need access to the same live map. Choose QField when a QGIS specialist manages the project and field workers operate independently.

Map Building and Visualization

Atlas

Atlas is a full map-building platform. Style layers with colors, labels, popups, and clustering. Choose basemaps, configure layer visibility, and add interactive elements. The result is a polished, shareable web map or app built entirely in the browser.

Pros:

• Visual map builder with styling, labels, and popups
• No-code app builder adds filters, forms, and dashboards
• Ready-to-share web maps and embeds
• Multiple basemap options

Cons:

• Styling is limited to the platform's options
• No QGIS-style rule-based symbology or print layouts

QField

QField renders QGIS projects on the mobile device with full symbology support. All styling, labeling, and theming is configured in QGIS Desktop—rule-based symbology, blend modes, print layouts, and advanced cartography are all supported. However, these maps only display in QGIS or QField, not on the web.

Pros:

• Full QGIS cartographic engine on mobile
• Rule-based symbology and print layouts
• Hundreds of rendering options

Cons:

• No web map viewer or builder
• Maps are only visible in QGIS/QField unless exported
• Sharing styled maps requires additional tools

Which to Choose?

Choose Atlas when you need interactive web maps anyone can view and use. Choose QField when you need QGIS's full cartographic power on mobile devices.

Spatial Analysis

Atlas

Atlas includes built-in spatial analysis: buffers, isochrones, heatmaps, spatial joins, attribute filtering, and geocoding. These run in the browser and results appear on the map instantly. Any team member can use them.

Pros:

• Point-and-click analysis in the browser
• Results visualize instantly
• Accessible to non-GIS users

Cons:

• Limited to the platform's analysis toolkit
• Not suited for complex geoprocessing chains

QField

QField does not perform spatial analysis on the device. All analysis happens in QGIS Desktop with its full processing toolbox—GRASS, SAGA, Python scripting, and hundreds of algorithms.

Pros:

• Full QGIS processing toolbox
• Python scripting with PyQGIS
• Raster and vector analysis

Cons:

• Analysis requires QGIS Desktop and expertise
• Not available on mobile
• Results must be synced or exported

Which to Choose?

Choose Atlas for quick, browser-based spatial analysis accessible to the whole team. Choose QField (with QGIS) when you need the depth of a desktop GIS processing environment.

Pricing and Getting Started

Atlas

Atlas offers a free tier with mapping, collaboration, field collection, and offline mode. Paid plans unlock additional storage, private maps, and advanced features. Getting started takes seconds—open a browser, sign up, start mapping.

Pros:

• Free tier with real functionality including offline mode
• No software to install
• Mapping in under a minute

Cons:

• Advanced features on paid plans

QField

QField is free and open-source. QFieldCloud offers a free community tier with limited storage and a paid tier for teams. However, getting started also requires QGIS Desktop (free) for project design, the QField app for mobile, and QFieldCloud for sync—several moving parts.

Pros:

• QField is free and open-source
• QFieldCloud has a free community tier
• No licensing fees for the mobile app

Cons:

• Requires installing QGIS Desktop, QField app, and configuring QFieldCloud
• Multiple tools to learn and maintain
• Project packaging adds a setup step before any field work can start

Which to Choose?

Choose Atlas for the fastest path to field data collection with zero installations. Choose QField when your team already uses QGIS and wants a free, open-source mobile extension.

Final Thoughts

Atlas and QField serve field data collection from different starting points. QField extends the power of QGIS to mobile devices—ideal for teams deeply invested in the QGIS ecosystem. Atlas provides a browser-first platform where field collection, offline mode, live maps, and stakeholder tools come together without any desktop software dependency.

Choose Atlas if you:

• Want browser-based field collection with no app installs
• Need offline data collection that syncs automatically
• Want the office to see field data on a live map in real time
• Need to share interactive maps and dashboards with non-GIS stakeholders
• Want a single platform for collection, analysis, and sharing

Choose QField if you:

• Already use QGIS and want to extend it to mobile
• Need QGIS-style forms, sketching, and rule-based symbology on the device
• Require high-precision GNSS receiver support
• Want a free, open-source mobile data collection app
• Have GIS specialists managing the full project lifecycle in QGIS

For a feature checklist and FAQs, see the QField alternative page.