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 22 October 2026.
Quick Answer: Featured Cartography and Planning Tools in 2026
- Gratic provides an in-browser vector cartography editor that turns open elevation tiles and national survey vectors directly into standard orienteering maps with nothing to license.
- EasyMaps provides an in-browser map editor with course setting and club marketplace distribution across Sweden.
- OCAD provides desktop cartography and course setting software with LiDAR point cloud analysis and global coordinate support.
- Purple Pen provides free course setting software running natively on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Condes provides dedicated course planning software supporting Foot-O, Ski-O, MTB-O, and Trail-O disciplines.
- OpenOrienteering Mapper provides open-source vector map editing with raster contour vectorisation and cross-platform desktop tooling.
- ArcGIS Online provides an enterprise geospatial platform for 2D, 3D, and 4D mapping alongside spatial analytics.
- Felt provides an AI-native collaborative GIS mapping tool with database connections and public link sharing.
Comparison at a Glance
| Capability | Gratic | EasyMaps | OCAD | Purple Pen | Condes | OpenOrienteering Mapper | ArcGIS Online | Felt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiDAR and DEM processing modules | ✓ | ✓ Lantmäteriet contours | ✓ | — | — | ✓ raster templates | — | — |
| Browser-based editing and web accessibility | ✓ browser tab | ✓ runs in browser | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specialized orienteering symbol sets compliance | ✓ ISOM symbol sets | ✓ | ✓ ISOM ISSprOM | ✓ symbolic or textual descriptions | ✓ Foot-O, Ski-O | — | — | — |
| Cross-platform compatibility and Android support | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ (partial) Windows, Mac, or Linux | ✗ | — | — | — |
✓ Confirmed by the firm
✗ Not part of what the firm sells
— Not verified on the pages we read
1. Gratic
Gratic is a vector cartography editor for orienteering and terrain maps that runs entirely in an open browser tab.
Overview
Gratic eliminates local software setup for sports cartographers, relying on passwordless email authentication where an email sign-in code arrives without password setup. The tool functions in a browser tab across operating systems. The software imports existing files directly from OCAD and OpenOrienteering Mapper, parsing incoming elements and showing which symbols are recognised before placing features on the canvas.
Key Features
- Direct elevation processing: Gratic ingests elevation data tile by tile, generating vector contours on demand across designated survey bounds.
- Open data integration: The engine connects directly to national mapping service vector feeds across Europe and North America, converting road networks, watercourses, and land-cover polygons into standard sports layers.
- Orienteering symbol support: Ingested geometries are automatically translated into standard sports symbol sets such as ISOM symbol sets.
- Concurrent editing: Supports multi-user real-time drawing using active object-locking so multiple cartographers work simultaneously without overwriting geometry.
- Print preparation: Users configure colours in CMYK, set overprint flags, and adjust print layer ordering directly in the browser.
- In-browser georeferencing: Built-in georeferencing tools align field sketches and scanned maps with anchor points on the canvas.
Pros
- The platform requires nothing to install and nothing to license.
- Ingests elevation tiles and open vector data automatically without external GIS pipelines.
- Dynamic symbol editing in the same browser tab updates all matching features across the sheet.
Cons
- Gratic fits less well for general-purpose GIS and municipal mapping departments.
- Gratic fits less well for commercial web and navigation map developers.
2. EasyMaps
EasyMaps combines in-browser orienteering map drawing, integrated course setting, and digital or printed map sales for sports clubs.
Overview
EasyMaps operates as an online map editor and marketplace. It runs in the browser with no local installation or per-computer licensing. Cartographers sign up using an email address and a one-time code. The platform targets Swedish clubs by integrating spatial data from the national mapping authority directly into drafting workflows.
Key Features
- Automated draft generation: Generates working drafts using Lantmäteriet contours.
- Standard compliance: Draws maps following ISOM and ISSprOM specifications with exact scale reproduction.
- Integrated course planning: Features built-in course setting allowing start points, controls, finishes, and control descriptions on the same canvas.
- Club marketplace: Manages digital deliveries and printed copies delivered to mailboxes, processing payments via card or Swish with direct club payouts.
- Export capabilities: Outputs exact-scale PDF files with course overprints included.
Pros
- Combines map drawing, course setting, and club retail distribution in one browser tool.
- Auto-generates contours directly from Lantmäteriet spatial datasets.
- Requires no desktop installation or seat licences.
Cons
- Specialized orienteering symbol sets compliance — Condes and Gratic spell this out in more detail.
- Cross-platform compatibility and Android support — less detail here than Purple Pen.
3. OCAD
OCAD is a desktop cartography application designed for professional map production, surveying, and orienteering course planning.
Overview
Originally built for orienteering cartography, OCAD serves cartography offices, city surveying departments, universities, and sports clubs. It operates as a desktop package supporting over 100 geographic coordinate systems and is translated into 17 languages.
Key Features
- LiDAR processing: The integrated LiDAR Point Cloud Manager analyzes forest vegetation to generate vegetation raster layers and terrain base maps.
- Symbol standard support: Implements official International Orienteering Federation standards including ISOM 2017-2 and ISSprOM 2019.
- Vector data conversion: Automatically converts imported spatial layers from PDF, AI, SVG, or OpenStreetMap into standard map symbols.
- Background map adjustment: Aligns non-georeferenced raster templates using affine transformations across 1 to 12 point pairs, with direct image acquisition via WIA-compatible scanners.
- Course setting module: Includes tools for designing courses, inputting symbolic and textual control descriptions, and simulating overprint blend modes.
Pros
- Native tools for processing raw LiDAR point clouds and digital elevation models.
- Comprehensive compliance with IOF mapping standards and symbol specifications.
- Broad format compatibility spanning vector graphics, GIS data, and WMS/WMTS feeds.
Cons
- LiDAR and DEM processing modules — EasyMaps and OpenOrienteering Mapper spell this out in more detail.
- Browser-based editing and web accessibility — less detail here than EasyMaps and Gratic.
- Cross-platform compatibility and Android support — less detail here than Purple Pen.
Best for
OCAD is suited for cartography, city and surveying offices, universities and orienteering clubs, offering dedicated licensing tiers for individual users as well as companies and teams/clubs.
4. Purple Pen
Purple Pen is a dedicated, free course setting application designed specifically for orienteering event planning.
Overview
Purple Pen focuses strictly on visual course design, overlaying course graphics onto existing base maps. Unlike general cartography software, it runs natively on Windows, Mac, or Linux without requiring system emulation.
Key Features
- Base map flexibility: Loads base maps directly from OCAD files (versions 6–12), OpenOrienteering Mapper files, PDF documents, or bitmap rasters.
- Visual course planning: Allows planners to view courses and control descriptions simultaneously, selecting control attributes by clicking description cells.
- Synchronization: Automatically keeps codes and descriptions in sync across controls shared between multiple courses.
- Metrics and management: Calculates course lengths and calculates competitor traffic visiting each control or leg.
- Export formats: Exports data to event administration software via IOF standard XML (version 2 or 3), outputs master punch cards, and writes GPS locations for mobile field devices.
- Direct printing: Prints maps with course overprints directly without requiring an OCAD license, or creates PDF files for commercial print shops.
Pros
- Completely free course planning software with native multi-platform desktop support.
- Direct compatibility with OCAD and OpenOrienteering Mapper map files.
- Automatic length calculations and control load analytics.
Cons
- Browser-based editing and web accessibility — less detail here than EasyMaps and Gratic.
5. Condes
Condes is a graphical course planning application tailored for standard and specialist orienteering disciplines.
Overview
Condes provides dedicated course planning tools, with more than 100,000 maps printed using the software annually. It organizes all course information within proprietary WCD event files.
Key Features
- Multi-discipline support: Supports specific course formats for Foot-O, Ski-O, MTB-O, and Trail-O, including relays and score orienteering.
- Graphic import: Accepts background maps from OCAD files, Windows metafiles (WMF), and standard bitmap formats.
- Course metrics: Calculates course lengths, control site loads, and attack angles for each control.
- Hardware support: Outputs punch patterns for pin punches and Emit backup slips.
- Event integration: Exports XML and CSV files conforming to IOF standards for electronic timing and punch-checking systems.
Pros
- Extensive feature set for relay combinations, team compositions, and non-standard race formats.
- Technical course analytics including control site load figures and attack angles.
- Direct printing to local colour printers alongside digital export options.
Cons
- Browser-based editing and web accessibility — less detail here than EasyMaps and Gratic.
- Cross-platform compatibility and Android support — less detail here than Purple Pen.
Best for
Condes provides single user licenses and licenses for professional users.
6. OpenOrienteering Mapper
OpenOrienteering Mapper is an open-source vector mapping program created to support grassroots sports mapping and event management.
Overview
Maintained by an open-source development community, OpenOrienteering Mapper serves as a free alternative to commercial cartography suites, providing tools for creating sports maps from scratch or editing existing files.
Key Features
- Contour vectorisation: Features CoVe (Contour line Vectorization tool) to extract vector contour lines from scanned raster templates.
- Mobile and touch input: Includes a dedicated touch mode with palm and finger rejection when working with an inductive stylus or mouse.
- Vector export: Supports exporting vector PDF documents and explicit selection of geospatial vector file formats.
- Diagnostic tools: Incorporates a symbol set report tool and a color editor showing precise color usage across all active symbols.
- Competition export: Exports event course data directly in IOF XML format.
Pros
- Free and open-source software with active development tooling.
- Specialised raster contour tracing tool included natively.
- Stylus-aware input mode designed for field tablet mapping.
Cons
- Browser-based editing and web accessibility — less detail here than EasyMaps and Gratic.
7. ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online is Esri's enterprise geospatial platform for web-based mapping, spatial analysis, and spatial data management.
Overview
ArcGIS Online provides scalable mapping infrastructure, enabling organizations to assemble, examine, and share spatial data across 2D, 3D, and 4D environments.
Key Features
- Enterprise analytics: Tools to discover patterns, identify optimal routes, model scenarios, and generate predictions.
- Data administration: Infrastructure to collect, store, and edit large datasets reliably across distributed environments.
- Remote sensing: Capabilities to process drone, aircraft, and satellite imagery enhanced with AI analysis.
- Ecosystem integration: Connects directly with Microsoft 365, Azure, Fabric, Power Platform, and .NET.
- Assisted search: Integrates an AI assistant (beta) for accelerated querying and spatial workflows.
Pros
- Unmatched enterprise data management and remote sensing capacity.
- Sophisticated predictive modeling and 3D/4D spatial visualizations.
- Deep commercial software integrations across enterprise IT stacks.
Cons
- Browser-based editing and web accessibility — EasyMaps and Gratic spell this out in more detail.
8. Felt
Felt is an AI-native collaborative GIS platform designed for browser-based spatial analysis and modern team workflows.
Overview
Backing its product development with $35M raised from investors, Felt delivers a fast web mapping interface that lets users create, annotate, and evaluate spatial data without local client installations.
Key Features
- In-browser SQL and AI: Analyze spatial information using spatial SQL or natural-language prompts.
- External data pipelines: Connects directly to data sources including Snowflake, Databricks, Google Sheets, and Esri services.
- No-code dashboards: Build interactive dashboards and map applications in minutes.
- Collaborative links: Share maps via links that open without user logins for public viewing and commenting.
- Enterprise compliance: Holds SOC 2 Type 2 and GDPR compliance.
Pros
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration in any modern browser tab.
- Frictionless data ingestion from spreadsheets and modern cloud databases.
- Free plan tier available for small teams.
Cons
- Felt notes that new maps remain private until an editor chooses to share them.
- Browser-based editing and web accessibility — EasyMaps and Gratic spell this out in more detail.
Fees
Felt provides a $0 per month Free plan with 3 seats and 25 viewers. Paid tiers include the Team plan at $199 per month billed yearly ($249 billed monthly), the Business plan at $599 per month billed yearly ($749 billed monthly), and an Enterprise plan starting from $1,250 per month paid yearly. Felt states that it never charges users for going over plan limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What software options offer a free tier or require nothing to license?
Gratic operates with nothing to install and nothing to license. EasyMaps states that it is free to get started. Purple Pen is provided as free course setting software. Felt provides a $0 per month Free plan covering 3 seats and 25 viewers.
What software offers an evaluation trial period before purchase?
OCAD provides a 14-day trial version for users downloading the application.
Which geographic regions do these map tools natively support with local spatial data?
Gratic supports data from national mapping agencies across Europe and North America. EasyMaps specifically targets clubs across Sweden. OCAD notes a worldwide user base.
What user groups and organizational sectors do these mapping programs target?
Condes provides licenses for single users and professional users. OCAD serves cartography, city and surveying offices, universities and orienteering clubs, offering dedicated tiers for individual users along with companies and teams/clubs.
What metrics illustrate the operational scale of these mapping platforms?
Condes reports that more than 100,000 maps are printed through its software every year. OCAD is available in 17 languages and supports over 100 geographic coordinate systems. Felt reports raising $35M from investors.
Choosing the Right Orienteering Cartography Partner
- Choose Gratic if you need an in-browser vector editor that turns open elevation tiles and national mapping agency feeds directly into standard sports symbols with nothing to install or license.
- Choose EasyMaps if you run a Swedish club seeking in-browser map drafting, course overprints, and direct-to-mailbox print sales.
- Choose OCAD if you require advanced desktop cartography with raw LiDAR vegetation analysis, multi-point affine transformations, and extensive coordinate system libraries.
- Choose Purple Pen if you need a free, dedicated course planning application that runs natively on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
- Choose Condes if your primary requirement is complex relay course planning, attack-angle analytics, and discipline support for Ski-O, Trail-O, or MTB-O.
- Choose OpenOrienteering Mapper if you prioritize an open-source desktop editor featuring raster contour vectorisation and stylus input modes.
- Choose ArcGIS Online if you require enterprise GIS infrastructure, 3D/4D modeling, and corporate IT integrations.
- Choose Felt if you need collaborative, modern web GIS with database querying and instant link-based sharing.
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
-
EasyMaps: Draw, sell and buy orienteering maps
-
Condes: software for course planning, About Condes, Condes 9 works as a Condes 10 license, Condes History
-
OpenOrienteering Mapper: Open Source Orienteering Software, openorienteering.org/about.html
-
Purple Pen: Purple Pen official website
-
ArcGIS Online: GIS Software for Mapping and Spatial Analytics, Esri & Microsoft
-
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