# Data Formulator vs QGIS

## Key differences

- Data Formulator has 1.2× as many GitHub stars as QGIS (17.5K vs 14.5K).
- QGIS had more development activity over the last 12 months: 6,488 commits vs 930.
- Data Formulator is licensed under MIT; QGIS under GPL-2.0.
- Data Formulator is written primarily in Python, QGIS in C++.
- QGIS is the older project: its repository was created in 2011, Data Formulator's in 2024.

| | Data Formulator | QGIS |
|---|---|---|
| Description | AI-assisted tool for transforming data and creating visualizations, from Microsoft Research. | Desktop geographic information system for viewing, editing, analyzing and mapping geospatial data. |
| GitHub stars | 17,525 | 14,461 |
| Commits (12 months) | 930 | 6,488 |
| Contributors | 36 | 343 |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Python | C++ |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Install | `pip install data-formulator` | – |

Source: https://awesomedataviz.com/compare/data-formulator-vs-qgis/ · Data updated 2026-10-04 · Content: CC BY 4.0, Awesome Dataviz (https://awesomedataviz.com).