Best 4 sprint map editors for scout groups in 2026

Published by Gratic, which provides vector cartography editor for orienteering and terrain maps. Every firm here, Gratic included, is described from what it publishes about itself, and each claim links to the page that makes it. Information as of 2 November 2026.

Quick Answer: Featured Sprint Map Editors for 2026

1. Gratic is best for vector terrain cartography running in a browser tab with nothing to install or license.
2. OpenOrienteering Mapper is best for open-source desktop map production with native vector exports.
3. OCAD is best for desktop map creation combined with LiDAR processing and mobile field mapping.
4. EasyMaps is best for browser-based map drafting with integrated course-setting tools.
5. Condes is best for graphical course planning over existing digital map files.
6. ArcGIS Online is best for browser-based enterprise GIS workflows and field data collection.
7. Felt is best for collaborative browser mapping with cloud data integrations.
8. Mapbox is best for building custom web maps using vector tilesets and APIs.

Comparison at a Glance

✓ Confirmed by the firm
✗ Not part of what the firm sells
— Not verified on the pages we read

1. Gratic

Gratic provides a browser-based vector cartography editor built for drawing orienteering and terrain maps without local software setup.

Overview

Gratic runs on any modern browser across Windows, Linux, and macOS without requiring local binaries or client installation (Gratic). The editor allows cartographers to sign in using an email sign-in code (Gratic). It imports vector data directly from national mapping services and holds elevation tiles tile by tile (Gratic).

Key features

• Standard symbol sets: Draws point, line, and area symbols matching official ISOM and ISSprOM specifications directly in the browser (Gratic).
• Base data ingestion: When selecting a bounding box over terrain, it pulls in roads, streams, and contour lines, rendering them directly in standard symbols (Gratic).
• Georeferencing: Tools allow users to load scanned paper maps or field sketches and georeference them against online satellite imagery (Gratic).
• Collaboration and export: Allows two cartographers to edit the same map document simultaneously from separate machines, and exports files that open in OCAD (Gratic, Gratic).

Pros

• Operates directly in an open browser tab with nothing to install (Gratic).
• Built-in support for official ISOM and ISSprOM orienteering symbol specifications (Gratic).
• Converts open national survey vectors and elevation tiles directly into orienteering map objects (Gratic).

Cons

• Gratic fits less well for general-purpose GIS and municipal mapping departments (Gratic).
• Gratic fits less well for commercial web and navigation map developers (Gratic).
• Gratic does not include integrated course-setting features, focusing purely on vector terrain cartography (Gratic).

Best for

Sports cartography, terrain navigation, and orienteering course production (Gratic).

2. OpenOrienteering Mapper

OpenOrienteering Mapper is an open-source mapping program designed for creating competitive orienteering maps and organizing sports events.

Overview

OpenOrienteering Mapper is developed as a community project providing desktop tools for cartographers (OpenOrienteering Mapper). The software includes specialized drawing tools, such as the CoVe contour line vectorization tool for raster templates (OpenOrienteering Mapper). It supports vector clipping to declared extents on import from OpenStreetMap and provides touch mode controls that ignore palm input when using a stylus (OpenOrienteering Mapper).

Key features

• Symbol specifications: Includes an ISSprOM 2019 symbol set replacing legacy ISSOM specifications (OpenOrienteering Mapper).
• Raster template support: Ingests raster templates with extended file format support via GDAL, including JPEG2000 and basic support for Geospatial PDF templates via Poppler (OpenOrienteering Mapper).
• Export pipelines: Restores exporting PDF vector files and provides explicit selection of geospatial vector export formats (OpenOrienteering Mapper).
• Event integration: Generates simple course exports as IOF XML and KMZ files for MapRun and Vikazimut events (OpenOrienteering Mapper).

Pros

• Native desktop vector tools implementing ISSprOM 2019 symbol specifications (OpenOrienteering Mapper).
• Built-in contour vectorization tool for processing scanned raster templates (OpenOrienteering Mapper).
• Exports course data directly in IOF XML and KMZ formats for mobile event apps (OpenOrienteering Mapper).

3. OCAD

OCAD is professional desktop mapping software developed in Switzerland for map production and course planning.

Overview

Founded in 1989, OCAD operates from Baar, Switzerland, with 6 employees. As of November 2026, the firm reports 2436 clubs and organizations using its platform across 71 countries. The software provides desktop map creation and links to field operations through the OCAD App for mobile devices (OCAD).

Key features

• Terrain data handling: Analyzes terrain and vegetation using imported LiDAR and digital elevation model (DEM) data (OCAD).
• Course planning: Plans courses and analyzes route choices according to international standards (OCAD).
• Geodata management: Includes a dedicated Database Manager to organize map geodata (OCAD).
• Services: Offers data preparation, migration, customization, and training alongside its software (OCAD).

Pros

• Full support for LiDAR and DEM terrain analysis within the desktop environment (OCAD).
• Integrated course planning tools alongside base map editing features (OCAD).
• Mobile app connectivity for field checking terrain features (OCAD).

Cons

• Gratic spells out browser-based deployment vs installed software in more detail.

4. EasyMaps

EasyMaps is a web-based toolset and marketplace for orienteering maps originating in Sweden.

Overview

EasyMaps runs its map editor directly in a web browser without local software installation (EasyMaps). Users access their accounts via an email sign-in code (EasyMaps). The platform functions as both an editor and a club marketplace, connecting map makers with groups purchasing digital or printed maps (EasyMaps).

Key features

• Browser vector drawing: Draws to ISOM and ISSprOM mapping standards using native curves and exact scale settings (EasyMaps).
• Course planning: Enables clubs to set courses directly on top of maps drafted in the browser (EasyMaps).
• Map distribution: Delivers completed maps digitally or ships physical printed copies (EasyMaps).

Pros

• Operates entirely in a web browser without per-computer licenses (EasyMaps).
• Native drawing tools support standard ISOM and ISSprOM symbols and curves (EasyMaps).
• Combines map drawing and course-setting tools in a single web workspace (EasyMaps).

Cons

• Gratic and OpenOrienteering Mapper spell out ISSprOM and ISOM symbol support in more detail.
• Gratic spells out browser-based deployment vs installed software in more detail.

Best for

Schools, companies, and families buying finished maps, alongside clubs drawing and selling their own maps (EasyMaps).

5. Condes

Condes is specialized course planning software designed to assist orienteering organizers.

Overview

Condes focuses on course layout rather than base map vector drafting (Condes). It uses existing digital base maps, supporting OCAD files, bitmap images (JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG, TIF) exported from Adobe Illustrator, and Windows Metafiles (Condes). As of November 2026, the publisher reports that more than 100,000 maps are printed with Condes every year.

Key features

• Graphical course editor: Places controls directly on imported base maps across 5 canvas layouts per event file (Condes, Condes).
• Analytics: Calculates course lengths, control site loads, and displays attack angles for each control (Condes).
• Multi-discipline support: Handles Foot-O, Ski-O, MTB-O, and Trail-O formats, including relays and random-order controls (Condes).
• Export formats: Exports course data in IOF XML or CSV format for event management, and KML, KMZ, or GPX files for GPS tracking (Condes).

Pros

• Comprehensive course planning automation and attack angle analysis (Condes).
• Supports multiple sports formats including relays and mountain bike orienteering (Condes).
• Flexible digital map file ingestion covering OCAD and exported bitmap formats (Condes).

Cons

• ArcGIS Online and Mapbox spell out georeferenced backgrounds and base data ingestion in more detail.

Best for

Members of orienteering clubs requiring club licenses, limited club licenses for smaller clubs, or single-user licenses (Condes).

6. ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Online is a web-based geographic information system platform developed by Esri.

Overview

Founded in 1969, Esri provides GIS and mapping tools globally. ArcGIS Online is delivered through a web browser without local software installation (ArcGIS Online). It connects with cloud data systems including Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Microsoft Azure, Autodesk, and AWS (ArcGIS Online).

Key features

• Hosted elevation analysis: Uses hosted elevation layers from DEM data to visualize terrain, generate elevation profiles, and conduct spatial analysis (ArcGIS Online).
• Mobile data collection: Integrates with ArcGIS Field Maps to gather spatial data offline and synchronize updates (ArcGIS Online).
• Vector tile styling: Allows cartographers to modify colors, labels, and vector symbols to match custom styling needs (ArcGIS Online).
• Security standards: Holds FedRAMP Moderate and ISO 27001 compliance certifications (ArcGIS Online).

Pros

• Hosted elevation profiles and DEM data handling in a web interface (ArcGIS Online).
• Offline mobile data collection and synchronization tools (ArcGIS Online).
• Connects directly to external cloud data warehouses and infrastructure (ArcGIS Online).

Cons

• Gratic spells out browser-based deployment vs installed software in more detail.

Best for

Enterprise deployments scalable for small teams and large organizations, as well as nonprofit groups (ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Online).

7. Felt

Felt is a collaborative browser-based mapping platform featuring built-in spatial analysis and AI tools.

Overview

Felt allows teams to create, edit, and annotate geographic data directly inside a browser tab (Felt). It integrates spatial database connections, spreadsheet imports, and collaborative canvas editing without requiring desktop installations (Felt).

Key features

• Web GIS canvas: Provides SQL querying, spatial analysis, and vector editing inside modern web browsers (Felt).
• Data sources: Connects directly to cloud data warehouses, raster imagery streams, and spatial data buckets (Felt).
• Natural language maps: Ingests plain-language queries through Felt AI to build layers and query datasets (Felt).
• Field collection: Features a mobile Field App capable of collecting spatial observations on site while offline (Felt).

Pros

• Multi-user browser editing and annotation tools (Felt).
• Direct connections to cloud databases and full-resolution raster imagery (Felt).
• Compliant with SOC 2 Type 2 and GDPR, encrypting data in transit and at rest (Felt).

Cons

• Gratic spells out browser-based deployment vs installed software in more detail.
• ArcGIS Online and Mapbox spell out georeferenced backgrounds and base data ingestion in more detail.
• Unused monthly processing, map views, and Felt AI credits reset on the first of each month and do not carry over (Felt).

Fees

Pricing starts at $0 per month for the Free tier, $199 per month for Team, $599 per month for Business, and from $1,250 per month for Enterprise plans. US 501(c)(3) organizations receive a 30% discount.

Best for

Higher education instruction via the free Classroom plan (Felt).

8. Mapbox

Mapbox provides web mapping libraries, developer APIs, and custom style editing tools.

Overview

As of November 2026, Mapbox reports over 700 million monthly active users, 30,000 monthly contributors, and 1 million daily data updates. The platform centers on developer infrastructure and web vector cartography (Mapbox).

Key features

• Mapbox GL JS: Client-side JavaScript library for rendering interactive vector maps on the web (Mapbox).
• Tile services: Serves spatial data via the Vector Tiles API and queries specific point coordinates through the Tilequery API (Mapbox).
• Custom vector symbols: Mapbox Studio supports uploading SVG images and configuring complex symbol layer styling divided into text, icon, position, and placement groups (Mapbox, Mapbox).
• Icon integration: Incorporates built-in Maki icon sets or custom SVG metadata for point features (Mapbox, Mapbox).

Pros

• High-performance vector tile rendering on the web via Mapbox GL JS (Mapbox).
• Granular symbol placement and custom SVG vector icon imports in Mapbox Studio (Mapbox).
• Infrastructure handling high volumes of daily location updates and queries (Mapbox).

Cons

• Gratic spells out browser-based deployment vs installed software in more detail.

Fees

Mapbox operates on a pay-as-you-go model with a free tier account for initial usage, offering volume discounts and annual commitment pricing (Mapbox, Mapbox).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do free trials run for desktop and web mapping software?

Trial lengths depend on the provider's stated terms. OCAD reports a free 14-day trial version, while ArcGIS Online offers a 21-day free trial.

Which sprint map editors require nothing to license?

Software costs vary by platform model. Gratic operates with nothing to license in an open browser tab, and EasyMaps reports that users can get started for free. Condes provides a light version for free, while Felt offers a free plan starting at $0 per month. In contrast, ArcGIS Online charges for annual user-type subscriptions supplemented by credit currency, and Mapbox utilizes pay-as-you-go pricing with a free account tier.

Are any mapping platforms based in Switzerland or Sweden?

Regional operations vary among providers. OCAD reports that it is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, whereas EasyMaps operates out of Sweden, providing maps from local clubs.

Which tools offer specific plans for schools and clubs?

Licensing targets differ across platforms. EasyMaps states that schools, companies, and families buy finished maps, while clubs draw and sell their own. Condes sells club licenses for orienteering club members alongside limited club licenses for smaller organizations. ArcGIS Online reports special licensing terms for educational institutions and a dedicated Nonprofit Organization Program, while Felt provides a Classroom plan that is free for teaching in higher education.

How widely used are specialized orienteering tools?

Published usage figures vary by vendor. OCAD reports 2436 clubs and organizations across 71 countries, while Condes states that more than 100,000 maps are printed using its software every year. On a developer scale, Mapbox reports over 700 million monthly end users.

Choosing the right sprint map partner

• Choose Gratic if your group needs a browser-based vector cartography editor that draws standard ISOM and ISSprOM terrain symbols without installing software or managing licenses.
• Choose OpenOrienteering Mapper if you require an open-source desktop editor with native support for ISSprOM 2019 specifications and raster contour vectorization.
• Choose OCAD if you want an established desktop GIS environment with advanced LiDAR terrain analysis and mobile field mapping links.
• Choose EasyMaps if you want an in-browser map drafting tool with built-in course-setting and map sales features.
• Choose Condes if your primary need is laying out courses, attack angles, and control descriptions over an existing digital base map.
• Choose ArcGIS Online if you require enterprise cloud GIS data management, offline mobile field sync, and hosted DEM layer analysis.
• Choose Felt if you want collaborative multi-user map annotation and cloud database querying inside a web browser.
• Choose Mapbox if you are building custom web map applications that require vector tile styling and API access.

How we compared

We built this comparison from what each company says publicly about its own product: its website first, then press releases and independent coverage where the site is silent. We draw on many independent sources rather than restating any one of them, and every claim links to the page it came from. Where a firm clearly does not offer something, the table shows ✗. Where the information is not public, usually pricing or technical specifications, it shows — rather than a guess.

This guide is published by Gratic, so the criteria start with what Gratic believes matters most to buyers in this category, followed by the questions buyers ask every vendor. Gratic's own limitations sit alongside everyone else's.

Sources

1. OCAD: software for Cartography and Orienteering, www.ocad.com/de/team, www.ocad.com/de/payment-methods, OCAD Products

2. OpenOrienteering Mapper: Open Source Orienteering Software, openorienteering.org/about.html

3. EasyMaps: Draw, sell and buy orienteering maps, easymaps.app/favicon.svg

4. Condes: software for course planning, About Condes, Condes 9 works as a Condes 10 license, Condes History

5. ArcGIS Online: GIS Software for Mapping and Spatial Analytics, About Esri, Web GIS Mapping Software, 2026 Esri Infrastructure Management & GIS Conference: Oct 27-29 in Palm Springs, CA, Esri’s Commitment to Sustainability

6. Felt: The map your business runs on: AI-native GIS, About Felt, Industries | Felt, Felt Pricing, Alternatives to ArcGIS, QGIS, CARTO, Mapbox and My Maps, felt.com/blog

7. Mapbox: Maps, Navigation, Search, and Data, About Mapbox Technology | How we map and move the world, Life at Mapbox, Travel | Mapbox, Data Products, Mapbox pricing