PolyWorks vs QGIS Comparison
Compare PolyWorks vs QGIS features, pricing, and more.
Last updated: November 2026
PolyWorks
6.5/10
PolyWorks is InnovMetric's 3D dimensional analysis and quality control software suite. Manufacturers use it to inspect parts with CMMs, portable metrology devices and point cloud scanners.
QGIS
7/10
QGIS is a free, open source desktop GIS. Organisations use it to view, edit, analyse and map spatial data, including vector, raster, mesh and point cloud layers.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Integration | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Security | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Support | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Cost | 3/10 | 10/10 |
| Analytics | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Customization | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Scalability | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free PolyWorks|Reviewer | Free QGIS (open source) |
| Features | ||
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
| Inspection Automation | Not listed | |
| LiDAR Processing | Not listed | |
| Work Orders | Not listed | |
PolyWorks vs QGIS cost by team size
PolyWorks and QGIS cost the same at every team size we checked.
| Team size | PolyWorks | QGIS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreePolyWorks|Reviewer | FreeQGIS (open source) |
| 5 users | FreePolyWorks|Reviewer | FreeQGIS (open source) |
| 10 users | FreePolyWorks|Reviewer | FreeQGIS (open source) |
| 25 users | FreePolyWorks|Reviewer | FreeQGIS (open source) |
| 50 users | FreePolyWorks|Reviewer | FreeQGIS (open source) |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose PolyWorks
- Higher Integration score (9/10 vs 8/10)
- Higher Support score (6/10 vs 5/10)
Why choose QGIS
- Higher Cost score (10/10 vs 3/10)
- Higher Ease of Use score (5/10 vs 4/10)
Pros & Cons
PolyWorks
Pros
- Supports a very wide range of hardware, including probing arms, laser trackers, point cloud scanners and CNC CMMs through direct drivers or I++.
- Can convert one inspection sequence to run on CMMs of different brands.
- Macro scripting and sequence editing make repeated, high-volume inspections efficient.
- Produces First Article Inspection reports that comply with AS9102 and PPAP, and includes SPC and Gauge R&R studies.
- A free Reviewer app lets stakeholders examine inspection results without buying a license.
Cons
- No public pricing, and a reseller comparison places it in the most expensive tier.
- A steep learning curve, which a reseller rates as the hardest of the packages it compared.
- Very few public user reviews; G2 lists too few reviews to give buying insight.
- Built for dimensional metrology, not for maintenance, asset management or field work.
QGIS
Pros
- No licence fees on any number of seats, under the GPLv2+ open source licence.
- Python and C++ plugins let teams add custom tools and database connectors such as PostGIS.
- It reads many data formats and standard web services, which makes it easy to connect to existing data.
- Its print layout, atlas and report tools suit organisations that produce a lot of maps.
- It loads LAS, LAZ and virtual point cloud datasets with classification-based rendering.
Cons
- Capterra reviewers report slow performance, freezes and crashes on heavy workloads.
- Newcomers describe a steep learning curve and say installation can be difficult.
- There is no vendor-backed support contract; help comes from the community or third-party providers.
- It cannot edit point clouds and has no asset maintenance features such as work orders.
- Some reviewers say it lacks tools that ArcGIS Pro offers.
Not sold on either?
Air Inspection Automation (AiA)Our product
Plans DJI drone inspection missions for power line towers from LiDAR scans: it finds the towers, places photo stops, checks clearance, and splits the route into battery flights.
Made by the team behind b stack radar. Shown here because it fits this topic. It is not part of our rankings. How we rank tools
Frequently Asked Questions
QGIS scores higher on our Industrial & Infrastructure Software criteria: 7/10 against 6.5/10 for PolyWorks. The largest gap is in Cost: 3/10 for PolyWorks and 10/10 for QGIS.
Both are free for 10 users.
Yes, both PolyWorks and QGIS have a free plan.
