{"id":7359,"date":"2026-01-29T09:36:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T08:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/kb\/uncategorized\/what-is-the-difference-between-usemaps-and-qgis-with-postgresql-postgis\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T09:36:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T08:36:08","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-usemaps-and-qgis-with-postgresql-postgis","status":"publish","type":"knowledgebase","link":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/usemaps-documentation\/before-you-start\/what-is-the-difference-between-usemaps-and-qgis-with-postgresql-postgis\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between Usemaps and QGIS with PostgreSQL + PostGIS?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>QGIS combined with a PostgreSQL database with the PostGIS extension is a popular open-source setup used in many organizations. How does Usemaps differ from this solution? <\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>with the QGIS + PostGIS setup, the only way to access data is still through QGIS, which has a high entry barrier. In Usemaps, data can be accessed via a web browser, a mobile app, and QGIS (for advanced users). <\/li>\n<li>managing QGIS + PostGIS requires a well-trained and motivated team, which involves real costs. Usemaps, thanks to browser access, is much easier for non-GIS users to adopt.  <\/li>\n<li>database management\u2014including access control, permissions, and cybersecurity\u2014requires knowledge and experience. In Usemaps, instead of setting permissions using SQL commands (GRANT, REVOKE\u2026), you manage them through a convenient panel.   <\/li>\n<li>a mundane but important feature: attachments. Handling them is complicated in QGIS + PostGIS. In Usemaps, it\u2019s simple and readily available.  <\/li>\n<li>data. Storing tens of gigabytes of data in PostGIS requires experience and expertise. In Usemaps, the data is readily accessible.  <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>In summary:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you have the capacity for continuous learning\u2014for yourself and your team\u2014and are willing to manage complex solutions, QGIS + PostGIS can work. The solution has no licensing costs, but it is not truly \u201cfree\u201d since training and your time are also costs. <\/li>\n<li>If your focus is on company processes and you need a proven solution for quick implementation, use Usemaps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>QGIS combined with a PostgreSQL database with the PostGIS extension is a popular open-source setup used in many organizations. How does Usemaps differ from this solution? with the QGIS + PostGIS setup, the only way to access data is still through QGIS, which has a high entry barrier. In Usemaps, data can be accessed via [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","knowledgebase_cat":[51],"knowledgebase_tag":[],"class_list":["post-7359","knowledgebase","type-knowledgebase","status-publish","hentry","knowledgebase_cat-before-you-start"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledgebase\/7359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledgebase"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/knowledgebase"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledgebase\/7359\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"knowledgebase_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledgebase_cat?post=7359"},{"taxonomy":"knowledgebase_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usemaps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledgebase_tag?post=7359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}