[GIS] Comparing different open source GIS servers

open-source-gisosgeosoftware-recommendations

I currently know the following open source GIS servers:

  • Geoserver: java based, vector and bitmap support, also supports. Is now on par with mapserver (performance-wise).
  • mapserver: c/c++, used to be the fastest server. Better for raster than vector?
  • mapguide: do not know this
  • mapnik: the new kid on the block? do not know much about it, but it looks appealing
  • mapfish: as far as i know, only retrieves vector-data for display in openlayers. There does exist a rails implementation.

If possible i would like some kind of comparison, which did you choose or prefer and why?

I am looking at building a rails website, and need some kind of GIS server. I will need raster and vector data (clickable). Is this doable with one server? Backend database will be Postgis.

Best Answer

This question has been converted to Community Wiki and wiki locked because it is an example of a question that seeks a list of answers and appears to be popular enough to protect it from closure. It should be treated as a special case and should not be viewed as the type of question that is encouraged on this, or any Stack Exchange site, but if you wish to contribute more content to it then feel free to do so by editing this answer.

Laurent Jegou keeps up-to-date a great document listing all known webmapping solution and their scope and features (with both client and server technology). Unfortunately it is in french, but since it's all about technical stuff you will be able to understand it easily.

Definitely, it would not be enough to choose the right one, but at least you will be able to exclude some of them at a glance.

The latest version is available at the following url:

http://www.geotests.net/cours/sigma/webmapping/2016/fig6_2016.pdf

Related Question