Table of contents
Open Source
PostGIS is open-source, meaning it is free to use and has a strong community support for development and troubleshooting.
Integration with PostgreSQL
PostGIS extends PostgreSQL, a robust relational database management system, providing powerful geospatial capabilities along with traditional SQL features.
Rich Geospatial Functions
PostGIS offers a comprehensive range of geospatial functions and data types, making it suitable for complex spatial queries and analyses.
Cross-platform Support
Being cross-platform, PostGIS can run on various operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering flexibility in deployment.
Active Community and Documentation
PostGIS benefits from an active user community and extensive documentation, which aids in learning and problem-solving.
Scalability
Built on PostgreSQL, PostGIS inherits its scalability features, which support large datasets and extensive query capabilities.
Customization and Extension
PostGIS's open architecture allows for customization and the development of extensions to meet specific geospatial needs.
Yes, PostGIS is highly regarded for its capabilities in managing and analyzing spatial data. It is a powerful tool for those needing advanced spatial functionalities and is often recommended due to its open-source nature and extensive community support.
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if PostGIS is good.
Check the traffic stats of PostGIS on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
Check the "Domain Rating" of PostGIS on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of PostGIS's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
Check the "Domain Authority" of PostGIS on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
The latest comments about PostGIS on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
This is an interesting article about strategies to use when traditional indexes just won't do, but for the love of the index please use MySQL's (or postgres' or sqlite's) built in spatial index for this particular class of problems. It will does this sort of thing much, much more efficiently than 99% of in house solutions. https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.0/en/spatial-types.html... - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
PostGIS, an open-source extension for PostgreSQL, is renowned within the engineering and GIS community for its robust capabilities in handling spatial data. As a product primarily categorized under Maps, Mapping and GIS, Web Mapping, and Maps & Navigation, it has carved out a distinct niche for itself amid a competitive landscape that includes notable platforms like ArcGIS, DataGrip, and Esri ArcGIS. PostGIS's reputation is largely anchored in its functionality, versatility, and its contribution to managing large geospatial datasets efficiently.
One of the most prominent strengths of PostGIS is its seamless integration with PostgreSQL, which leverages the database's robust framework to offer extensive support for spatial data operations. This effectively positions it as a powerful alternative to commercial GIS systems like ArcGIS. Users frequently highlight PostGIS's ability to perform complex geospatial analysis, crediting its ability to efficiently query and manipulate spatial data. The fact that it is open-source further enhances its appeal, offering a cost-effective solution without compromising on performance—a crucial consideration for both individual developers and large organizations alike.
Compared to its peers, PostGIS distinguishes itself not just by its open-source nature, but also through its comprehensive support for spatial indexes and data types. This functionality has been noted to surpass performance levels achieved by several in-house developed solutions and is emphasized in industry articles about efficient geospatial querying, such as the one concerning MySQL's capabilities. In scenarios where traditional indexes may fall short, the spatial indexing in PostGIS ensures much more efficient data retrieval, significantly expediting geospatial calculations and distance querying tasks.
The acceptance and growth of PostGIS can partly be attributed to the vibrant community surrounding PostgreSQL and the wider open-source GIS software discussion. As one of the top alternatives to ArcGIS highlighted in discussions about mapping software, it enjoys strong advocacy from users who appreciate its ability to handle increasingly complex geospatial needs. Its adaptability across different scenarios, from web mapping solutions to comprehensive navigation systems, is frequently lauded. This adaptability, coupled with the reduced costs associated with open-source software, often makes PostGIS a preferred choice among GIS professionals, developers, and institutions keen on optimizing spatial data utilization.
While PostGIS is celebrated for numerous advantages, it is not without its constraints. As with many open-source solutions, the learning curve can be steep for those new to GIS or PostgreSQL, necessitating a degree of technical proficiency to leverage its full potential. Additionally, users transitioning from more traditional GIS systems may encounter a need to rethink conventional workflows to align with PostGIS's capabilities.
In conclusion, the public opinion on PostGIS underscores its reliability and efficiency, especially when considering its cost-effectiveness and performance in handling substantial spatial datasets. It remains a formidable player in the GIS industry, notable for enabling complex geospatial tasks with precision and scalability. Its continued evolution and community support ensure it retains its status as a crucial tool in the arsenal of modern GIS professionals.
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