Blog GIS & Territories

Introduction

Adding map backgrounds is a key step in visualizing spatial data with QGIS. Whether it’s to contextualize your layers, create a beautiful printable map, or simply to better interpret your data, quickly having a background like OpenStreetMap, Google Satellite, or ESRI Topo is invaluable.

In this article, we compare three methods for easily integrating a base map into QGIS:

• the QGIS Base Map web service from Mapscaping
• the QuickMapServices plugin
• the Basemap plugin

1. QuickMapServices: the most comprehensive plugin

QuickMapServices is probably the most widely used extension for adding map backgrounds. Once installed from the QGIS Plugin Manager, it provides access to a wide variety of sources:

• OpenStreetMap (and its variants)
• Google Maps (roads, satellite, hybrid)
• ESRI
• Bing Maps
• Carto, Mapbox, Yandex, etc.

Advantages :

• Rich, extensible catalog (via settings → enable experimental sources)
• Support for XYZ Tiles, TMS and WMTS services
• Option to add your own sources

Disadvantages:

• Requires initial manual installation of plugin
• May be too complex for occasional use

2 Basemap plugin for QGIS

Introduction

Looking to quickly add popular backgrounds to your QGIS projects without searching for URLs or manually configuring XYZ connections? The Basemap plugin is a simple and effective solution. With just a few clicks, it gives you access to backgrounds such as OpenStreetMap, Google, Bing, ESRI, Carto and many others.

Installing the Basemap plugin

• Open QGIS.
• Go to Extensions > Install/Manage extensions.
• Search for Basemap.
• Click on Install.

The plugin is available in the official QGIS repository.

Main features

Once installed, the plugin adds a new entry to the Web > Basemap menu.

Available map backgrounds :

• OpenStreetMap (Standard, HOT, Monochrome)
• Google Maps (Roads, Satellite, Hybrid, Terrain)
• Bing Maps (Aerial, Roads)
• ESRI (World Imagery, Topographic, etc.)
• CartoDB (Positron, Dark Matter)
• Stamen (Toner, Terrain, Watercolor)
• Here Maps, HikeBike, etc.

The plugin uses ready-to-use, automatically integrated XYZ connections.

How to use it

1. Go to Web > Basemap.
2. Select a basemap from the list.
3. The background is immediately added as an XYZ tile to your project.

No additional configuration is required.

Benefits

• Simplicity: all in 2 clicks.
• Accessible: ideal for beginners.
• Quick to get up and running: no need to copy and paste URLs.
• Rich library of built-in backgrounds by default.

Limitations and precautions

• Some backgrounds (Google, Bing…) have usage restrictions: be sure to respect license conditions.
• Like all XYZ tiles, these backgrounds are rasterized, not vectorized.
• An Internet connection is required to display them.

Conclusion

The Basemap plugin for QGIS is an excellent alternative to QuickMapServices or manual XYZ configurations. It stands out for its simplicity and speed of execution. Whether you’re preparing a map for a report or exploring a territory, this plugin will save you time.

3.QGIS Base Map: a URL generator for map backgrounds

Easily add base maps to QGIS with QGIS Base Map (Mapscaping)

Introduction

Finding and integrating a base map in QGIS is not always intuitive. The QGIS Base Map service, offered by Mapscaping.com, provides a simple solution: copy and paste a ready-to-use XYZ URL to obtain a base map from Google Maps, Bing, ESRI, Carto, OpenStreetMap and more.

Contrary to what its name might suggest, QGIS Base Map is not a plugin, but a free online service.

QGIS Base Map: a URL generator for base maps

The site provides a simple web interface:

1. Go to mapscaping.com/qgis-base-map
2. Choose the desired base map from the list:
   • Google Satellite
   • Google Streets
   • Bing Aerial
   • ESRI World Imagery
   • OpenStreetMap
   • Carto Light/Dark
   • etc.
3. Copy the URL provided (XYZ format)

Integrate background map into QGIS

1. In QGIS, open the Navigator panel.
2. Right-click on XYZ Tiles > New connection.
3. Give your background a name (e.g. Google Satellite).
4. Paste the URL copied from the site.
5. Click on OK.

The background appears in your XYZ Tiles, ready to be added to the map.

Benefits

• No plug-in required.
• Works in all versions of QGIS (>=3.0).
• Wide choice of backgrounds (including some not included in QuickMapServices).
• Fast, reliable, no advertising or tracking.

Limitations

• Services such as Google or Bing are subject to conditions of use: for personal use or viewing only.
• These are not vector layers.
• Internet connection required.

Conclusion

QGIS Base Map (from Mapscaping) is a simple and useful online tool for enriching your QGIS projects. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, it saves you time and gives you access to professional map backgrounds.

Tip: save your favorite backgrounds in a group of XYZ tiles for reuse in all your projects!

Comparison: Basemap vs QuickMapServices vs QGIS Base Map (Mapscaping)

Which method to choose?

Summary:

If you often work with QGIS and want extensive, customizable access to map backgrounds, QuickMapServices is the obvious choice.
For occasional use or simple demonstration, the Basemap plugin or the QGIS Base Map service will do just fine.

• Basemap: ideal for beginners and simple projects – very quick to set up.
• QuickMapServices: more powerful, with a very large catalog and advanced options.
• QGIS Base Map (Mapscaping): perfect for providing your users with their own base map, without requiring them to install anything.

Whatever your choice, adding a relevant base map is an excellent way of improving the legibility and visual impact of your GIS projects.

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Atilio Francois