Top Software for Drawing ISOM Orienteering Maps 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 25 October 2026.

Quick Answer: Featured Mapping Platforms in 2026

1. Gratic: Vector cartography editor for orienteering and terrain maps with native ISOM symbols and elevation tile importing in a browser tab.
2. EasyMaps: In-browser ISOM/ISSprOM drawing editor connected directly to Lantmäteriet contours with built-in course setting.
3. OpenOrienteering Mapper: Free cross-platform desktop application with OCD map template placement, contour vectorization, and GDAL spatial drivers.
4. OCAD: Desktop cartography suite with LiDAR point cloud management, automated symbol conversion, and an integrated course setting module.
5. Condes: Course planning and event layout software supporting Foot-O, Ski-O, MTB-O, and Trail-O directly over digital map files.
6. Felt: Browser-based web GIS supporting raster imagery streaming, plain-language map building, and multi-user data editing.
7. Purple Pen: Free course setting utility for native Windows, Mac, and Linux operation over OCAD, OpenOrienteering Mapper, or PDF base maps.
8. ArcGIS Online: Enterprise spatial platform providing hosted digital elevation models, spatial analytics, and field data collection.

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 is a browser-based vector cartography editor built specifically for orienteering and terrain maps.

Overview

The software runs entirely in a browser tab across Windows, macOS, and Linux without local installations or desktop licences. Mappers access projects using passwordless authentication where an email sign-in code arrives in their inbox to start drawing immediately.

Approach and Key Features

Gratic pulls in elevation data tile by tile and queries public spatial APIs to import vector features directly from national mapping services. It translates incoming spatial geometry into standard orienteering symbols, automatically generating workable contours and base layers without manual elevation file indexing.

The vector engine renders standard International Specification for Orienteering Maps (ISOM) geometry directly in the canvas. The ISOM set carries 35 colour entries, with every number fixed by ISOM appearing as an input field. Changes to a single symbol definition update all associated vector elements across the sheet without altering other layers.

Cartographers can drop scanned paper survey sheets directly onto the canvas to georeference them beneath active vector lines before exporting files that open in OCAD. The system also supports simultaneous multi-user drawing from different computers in real time, employing active object-locking so cartographers work on adjacent terrain without edit collisions.

Pros

• Runs in a browser tab on Windows, macOS, and Linux with nothing to install, nothing to license.
• Ingests elevation tiles alongside national mapping service vector feeds across Europe and North America.
• Built-in multi-user collaboration with active object-locking for real-time surveying work.
• Exports map files compatible with OCAD and georeferences scanned field sketches directly in the canvas.

Cons

• Gratic publishes that it intentionally does not build course design, relay dispersion systems, or IOF control description generation into the map editor (Gratic).
• General-purpose GIS and municipal mapping departments represent environments where Gratic fits less well.
• Commercial web and navigation map developers represent environments where Gratic fits less well.

Best for

Orienteering clubs, sports cartographers, and event organizers requiring standard ISOM vector drawing and automated elevation tile imports without per-seat desktop licences.

2. EasyMaps

EasyMaps combines an in-browser orienteering map drawing editor with an integrated course setting suite and print storefront.

Overview

EasyMaps operates directly in the browser with no installation or per-computer licences required. It operates in Sweden as a marketplace and toolset for orienteering maps.

Approach and Key Features

The editor allows surveyors to draw to official ISOM and ISSprOM specifications with full vector curves, symbols, and exact-scale outputs. Users can initialize mapping projects from an auto-generated draft populated with Lantmäteriet contours.

Beyond drawing base maps, EasyMaps incorporates built-in course setting tools directly on the sheet. Planners can drop start points, control circles, and finish symbols alongside formal control descriptions. The platform prints maps with courses directly overlaid or exports exact-scale PDF files where users choose scale, crop, and paper size at checkout. For Swedish clubs, EasyMaps manages member roles and runs a storefront that sells physical copies or digital downloads via card and Swish payments.

Pros

• In-browser vector drawing engine adhering to ISOM and ISSprOM standards.
• Automated draft generation using official Lantmäteriet contours.
• Integrated course setting module handling controls, courses, and descriptions on the same base sheet.
• Commercial storefront supporting club member management and payouts via card and Swish.

Best for

Swedish orienteering clubs seeking an all-in-one browser tool that pairs basic terrain drafting with integrated course setting and consumer map sales.

3. OpenOrienteering Mapper

OpenOrienteering Mapper is an open-source desktop cartography suite developed for orienteering map creation.

Overview

The OpenOrienteering project provides a free collection of community-developed software tools. The program runs natively on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices.

Approach and Key Features

OpenOrienteering Mapper utilizes the GDAL library for comprehensive geospatial data handling, enabling driver detection by file contents, template clipping to declared extents, and the direct importation of OSM vector geometry and JPEG2000 rasters. The CoVe tool provides automated contour line vectorization from loaded raster templates.

Cartographers can place OCD templates within OCD maps and draw features by tracing either the centreline or the outer borders of complex line symbols. The software includes dedicated symbol set reporting tools, a colour editor displaying real-time colour usage across active symbols, and a magnetic declination lookup connected to the British Geological Survey.

Pros

• Free and open-source desktop software supporting Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android devices.
• Advanced geospatial vector and raster format translation powered by GDAL.
• Built-in CoVe module for automated contour line vectorization.
• Native compatibility with OCD templates and simple course export via IOF XML.

Best for

Cartographers seeking a locally installed, open-source desktop tool with deep raster georeferencing and contour vectorization options.

4. OCAD

OCAD is a desktop cartography application engineered in Switzerland for orienteering mapping and professional spatial production.

Overview

OCAD has been developed specifically for orienteering and general cartography, with worldwide adoption across surveying offices, universities, and sports clubs. The desktop application is available in 17 languages and supports over 100 geographic coordinate systems.

Approach and Key Features

OCAD handles complex base map creation by importing external spatial data, connecting to live WMS/WMTS feeds, and processing LiDAR point clouds. Its LiDAR Point Cloud Manager analyzes forest canopy and surface points to produce vegetation rasters and calculate precise contour lines. Imported vector layers from formats like PDF, AI, SVG, or OpenStreetMap can be converted into standard IOF symbols automatically.

The desktop software features multi-point affine transformations using 1 to 12 point pairs to adjust non-georeferenced or distorted background maps, including direct capture from WIA-compatible scanners. Its integrated course setting module allows organizers to compose courses, print symbolic or textual control descriptions, and simulate overprint blend effects. The OCAD App companion tool enables mobile fieldwork on tablets and phones, transferring data back to the desktop through OCAD Cloud Transfer.

Pros

• Native LiDAR point cloud processing for automatic contour extraction and vegetation density mapping.
• Automated conversion of imported vector formats (OSM, DXF, PDF, SVG) into official IOF symbol sets.
• Comprehensive course setting environment with overprint blend simulation and IOF control descriptions.
• Desktop-to-mobile synchronization using the free OCAD App and OCAD Cloud Transfer.

Cons

• On LiDAR and DEM integration, EasyMaps and Felt spell this out in more detail.

Best for

Professional cartography offices and established orienteering clubs needing advanced LiDAR point cloud processing, specialized coordinate systems, and comprehensive print publishing.

5. Condes

Condes is a specialized course planning application designed to lay out orienteering competitions directly on top of digital base maps.

Overview

Condes focuses specifically on course layout, relay dispersion, and competition logistics for Foot-O, Ski-O, MTB-O, and Trail-O disciplines. The platform reports that more than 100,000 maps are printed with its software annually.

Approach and Key Features

Course designers open base maps formatted as OCAD files (OCD), bitmap images (BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, TIF), Windows metafiles (WMF), or KML/KMZ archives. Condes provides a graphical canvas where planners place control sites, generate courses, and configure control description symbols and pin punch patterns.

The application calculates course lengths, evaluates control site loads, and displays competitor attack angles for each control site. An event file includes five distinct canvases, allowing planners to print maps directly on colour printers, add external graphics and logos, or export course data to event administration systems in IOF XML or CSV formats. Courses can also be exported to GPS applications using GPX or KMZ files for route choice analysis.

Pros

• Tailored course setting toolset covering Foot-O, Ski-O, MTB-O, and Trail-O disciplines.
• Calculates leg lengths, control loads, and incoming attack angles automatically.
• Reads native OCAD vector files, Windows metafiles, and georeferenced raster maps.
• Supports complex relay combinations, team assignments, and IOF XML data interchange.

Best for

Club course planners and event directors requiring specialized course layout, relay generation, and punch checking without drafting base cartography from scratch.

6. Felt

Felt is a browser-based web GIS platform designed for spatial analysis, data editing, and team collaboration.

Overview

Felt operates as a cloud-based collaborative mapping environment funded by $35M in venture backing. The platform meets SOC 2 Type 2 and GDPR compliance standards, with encryption applied to data in transit and at rest.

Approach and Key Features

Felt allows teams to conduct spatial analysis, write SQL queries, and edit geographic features directly inside a web browser. Users can connect enterprise cloud sources including data warehouses, spatial databases, and cloud storage buckets. The platform streams and visualizes high-resolution raster imagery and supports field data collection via a dedicated mobile app that operates offline.

The interface includes Felt AI for asking plain-language questions to build maps, no-code dashboards to generate dynamic charts, and an open API/SDK for custom map application development. While it lacks native orienteering symbol systems, Felt functions as a multi-user vector and raster editing workspace.

Pros

• Full web GIS analysis, SQL querying, and vector styling inside a standard web browser.
• Streams large-scale raster imagery and integrates directly with external databases and cloud storage buckets.
• Real-time multi-user collaboration with SOC 2 Type 2 security compliance.
• Offline-capable mobile field collection application.

Fees

Felt provides a free tier at $0 per month that includes 3 seats and 25 viewers, with paid tiers adding enterprise database connections and support.

Best for

Distributed spatial teams and organizations that require real-time collaborative web GIS, remote sensing analysis, and cloud database integrations.

7. Purple Pen

Purple Pen is a free, dedicated course setting application engineered specifically for the orienteering community.

Overview

Purple Pen is distributed as completely free software. Purple Pen 4 runs natively without emulation on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

Approach and Key Features

Purple Pen is designed to make course design fast and accessible. Organizers load existing base maps from OCAD (versions 6 through 12), OpenOrienteering Mapper (.omap and .xmap), PDF files, or bitmap formats (JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP). Planners set courses visually while viewing control descriptions simultaneously, clicking to assign IOF symbolic or textual descriptions.

The application automatically calculates course lengths, keeps shared control codes and descriptions in sync across different courses, and tallies competitor volumes per control site and leg. Event directors can print courses and overprints directly to paper without owning OCAD, generate print-ready PDF files, place description sheets onto the map face, or export data in IOF standard XML formats (versions 2 and 3) for electronic timing systems.

Pros

• Completely free software with native cross-platform support across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Direct visual course setting over native OCAD, OpenOrienteering Mapper, and PDF base maps.
• Automatic course length calculation, shared control synchronization, and punch card generation.
• Built-in support for IOF 2000, 2018, and 2024 control description standards.

Best for

Orienteering clubs, schools, and volunteer organizers looking for a free, native desktop tool to design courses over existing OCAD or PDF maps.

8. ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Online is Esri's enterprise cloud GIS platform providing comprehensive spatial analytics, data management, and mapping capabilities.

Overview

ArcGIS Online functions as a centralized system of record for geospatial data, connecting organizations to mapping tools, demographic databases, and remote sensing feeds.

Approach and Key Features

The platform ingests digital elevation models (DEM) as hosted elevation layers, allowing users to analyze terrain data, create elevation profiles, and model 3D scenes. Spatial analytics tools identify geographic patterns, determine optimal routing, and conduct predictive modeling. ArcGIS Online connects with drone and satellite imagery platforms and integrates directly with Microsoft 365, Azure, and Power Platform environments.

For mobile operations, the ArcGIS Field Maps application provides field personnel with real-time location awareness and spatial data capture tools, while the ArcGIS Velocity add-on ingests real-time IoT feeds and streaming spatial data.

Pros

• Comprehensive enterprise spatial data management and authoritative system-of-record capabilities.
• Advanced terrain visualization, 3D modeling, and hosted DEM elevation profiling.
• Native connectivity to Microsoft enterprise architectures and mobile data collection suites.
• Scalable spatial analytics, machine learning integration, and remote sensing analysis.

Cons

• On LiDAR and DEM integration, EasyMaps and Felt spell this out in more detail.

Best for

Municipal agencies, enterprise engineering departments, and large GIS operations requiring structured database storage and institutional spatial analytics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What trial periods are available for desktop cartography suites?

OCAD reports a 14-day trial version for its software.

What software licensing fees apply to these mapping tools?

Gratic reports nothing to install and nothing to license, with no licensing fees across devices. Purple Pen reports that it is completely free software. EasyMaps reports that it is free to get started. Felt reports a free plan at $0 per month for 3 seats and 25 viewers. OCAD charges subscription fees in CHF excluding VAT, with volume discounts across license tiers, and offers its mobile app for free. ArcGIS Online utilizes annual user-type subscription licenses and requires credits as currency for premium services.

What geographic data coverage and locations do these vendors publish?

Gratic reports connecting to public spatial APIs from national mapping agencies across Europe and North America. EasyMaps reports delivering digital and printed maps from clubs across Sweden. OCAD is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, and reports a worldwide user base for drawing topographic maps.

Which user segments and roles do these platforms target?

Gratic targets map drawing and terrain editing, intentionally excluding course setting and relay dispersion tools. OCAD reports use across cartography, city and surveying offices, universities, and orienteering clubs, offering editions for single users, teams, and field map makers. Condes provides club licences for orienteering club members alongside single-user and professional licences.

What technical scale and measurement figures do the platforms report?

Gratic reports 35 colour entries in its ISOM symbol set. OCAD reports availability in 17 languages and support for over 100 geographic coordinate systems. Condes reports that more than 100,000 maps are printed with its software annually. Felt reports raising $35M from investors.

Choosing the Right Mapping Partner

• Gratic: Best for sports cartographers and orienteering clubs seeking an in-browser vector editor with native ISOM symbol sets and automated elevation tile imports.
• EasyMaps: Best for Swedish clubs seeking an integrated browser editor with Lantmäteriet contours, built-in course design, and print storefront sales.
• OpenOrienteering Mapper: Best for cartographers wanting a completely free, open-source desktop editor with GDAL geospatial compatibility and raster contour vectorization.
• OCAD: Best for surveying offices and established clubs requiring professional desktop cartography with LiDAR vegetation classification, automated symbol mapping, and full IOF course planning.
• Condes: Best for event directors and course planners needing advanced course layout, attack angle calculations, and relay dispersion mechanics over existing map files.
• Felt: Best for GIS teams requiring multi-user raster and vector editing, SQL spatial queries, and live dashboard sharing in a web browser.
• Purple Pen: Best for volunteer event organizers wanting a free, native desktop tool to design courses and print control sheets over OCAD or PDF maps.
• ArcGIS Online: Best for municipal bodies and corporate organizations requiring centralized enterprise GIS data storage, spatial analytics, and hosted DEM layers.

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, OCAD Blog

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

3. Purple Pen: Purple Pen official website

4. EasyMaps: Draw, sell and buy orienteering maps

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

6. ArcGIS Online: GIS Software for Mapping and Spatial Analytics, Esri & Microsoft

7. Felt: The map your business runs on: AI-native GIS, About Felt, GIS for Government: Assets, Crews, and Public Maps, Felt Pricing, Alternatives to ArcGIS, QGIS, CARTO, Mapbox and My Maps, felt.com/blog