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Maps · head to head

Leica Infinity vs OpenStreetMap

Leica Infinity logo

Leica Infinity

Maps

Office software that combines total station, GNSS, level, UAV and scanner data into one survey project

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenStreetMap logo

OpenStreetMap

Maps

Collaborative project to create a free editable geographic database of the world

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenStreetMap has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Leica Infinity leica publishes no pricing at all and sells through dealers, so identical firms in different regions pay different rates for the same modules and cannot benchmark a quote.; OpenStreetMap data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage
  • They diverge on capability: Leica Infinity covers Multi-sensor project, OpenStreetMap covers Core Functionality.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Leica Infinity and OpenStreetMap actually diverge.

Attributes where Leica Infinity and OpenStreetMap differ
AttributeLeica InfinityOpenStreetMap
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsWeb, API
FoundedUnknown2004

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Leica Infinity

  • Multi-sensor project
  • Network adjustment
  • GNSS baseline processing
  • Point cloud handling
  • Surface and volume
  • Field data exchange
  • Imaging and UAV workflow
  • CAD, GIS and BIM export

Only in OpenStreetMap

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Leica Infinity

  • A survey practice running Leica instruments that wants control adjustment, GNSS post-processing and scan registration in one project rather than three packagesnot OpenStreetMap
  • A contractor computing monthly earthworks volumes from drone and GNSS data measured against a design surface for payment applicationsnot OpenStreetMap
  • A monitoring job comparing repeated survey epochs of a structure or slope where the adjustment history and residuals must be defensiblenot OpenStreetMap
  • An office preparing stakeout data and control for field crews on Leica Captivate and receiving as-built observations back into the same projectnot OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap

  • Supplying map data to websites, mobile apps and hardware devicesnot Leica Infinity
  • Community mapping of roads, trails, cafes and railway stationsnot Leica Infinity
  • Projects that need open map data and can meet the attribution requirementnot Leica Infinity
  • Building on map data where a share-alike licence is acceptablenot Leica Infinity

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Leica Infinity

  • Leica publishes no pricing at all and sells through dealers, so identical firms in different regions pay different rates for the same modules and cannot benchmark a quote.
  • It is modular, which means the advertised capability list is not what you get: sensor and processing modules are licensed separately and the useful configuration costs considerably more than the entry one.
  • Third-party instrument data is supported but always second-class; a mixed Leica and Trimble fleet will have one manufacturer’s raw data going through a lossier import path.
  • Windows only, with no macOS, Linux or browser option, which is a hard constraint for organisations moving field and office work to tablets or cloud desktops.
  • Perpetual licences require an ongoing customer care contract to receive updates and support, so the perpetual option saves less over five years than it first appears.

OpenStreetMap

  • Data accuracy varies dramatically by geographic region depending on volunteer coverage
  • No minimum quality standards enforced, making data prone to errors and inconsistencies
  • Data completeness gaps, especially for minor roads and remote areas
  • Bias toward well-mapped regions with high volunteer activity
  • Positional accuracy concerns with only 70-76% of roads within 5-10 meter tolerance
  • Tag criteria not well-defined leading to logical consistency issues

Pricing, plan by plan

Leica Infinity

On request
  • Infinity perpetual licence$undefined/year
    • Bought once, owned outright
    • Modular by sensor and processing capability
    • Annual customer care contract needed for updates
  • Infinity subscription$undefined/year
    • Annual or multi-year term
    • Includes updates for the term
    • Modules added or removed at renewal

OpenStreetMap

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenStreetMap review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Leica Infinity if

  • You need multi-sensor project.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want network adjustment.
Leica Infinity review

Choose OpenStreetMap if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want user interface.
OpenStreetMap review

Questions people ask

Is Leica Infinity or OpenStreetMap better?
Neither clearly leads. Leica Infinity starts at On request and OpenStreetMap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Leica Infinity or OpenStreetMap?
OpenStreetMap has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Leica Infinity and Free for OpenStreetMap.
Does Leica Infinity or OpenStreetMap run on more platforms?
Leica Infinity runs on Windows. OpenStreetMap runs on Web, API.
Can I use OpenStreetMap for free?
Yes. OpenStreetMap has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Leica Infinity starts at On request.
What is Leica Infinity best used for?
Leica Infinity is most often used for a survey practice running leica instruments that wants control adjustment, gnss post-processing and scan registration in one project rather than three packages, a contractor computing monthly earthworks volumes from drone and gnss data measured against a design surface for payment applications, a monitoring job comparing repeated survey epochs of a structure or slope where the adjustment history and residuals must be defensible, an office preparing stakeout data and control for field crews on leica captivate and receiving as-built observations back into the same project. Of those, a survey practice running leica instruments that wants control adjustment, gnss post-processing and scan registration in one project rather than three packages and a contractor computing monthly earthworks volumes from drone and gnss data measured against a design surface for payment applications are not what OpenStreetMap is typically brought in for.
What can Leica Infinity do that OpenStreetMap cannot?
Leica Infinity covers Multi-sensor project, Network adjustment, GNSS baseline processing, Point cloud handling. OpenStreetMap covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Leica Infinity: Is Leica Infinity available as a perpetual licence?

Yes. Leica sells Infinity both as a subscription and as a perpetual licence, though updates on a perpetual licence require an active customer care contract.

OpenStreetMap: Is OpenStreetMap free to use?

Yes, OpenStreetMap is completely free and open-source under the Open Data Commons license. You can download and use map data for any purpose.

Source
Leica Infinity: How much does it cost?

Leica does not publish prices. Infinity is quoted per module through authorised dealers.

OpenStreetMap: How accurate is OpenStreetMap?

OpenStreetMap accuracy varies by region. In well-mapped areas like developed countries, accuracy is generally high. Only 76% of OSM roads aligned within 10 meters of reference roads, with 70% within 5 meters.

Source
Leica Infinity: Does it work with non-Leica instruments?

It imports common third-party and standard formats, but Leica raw data is the first-class path. Expect reduced fidelity with competing raw formats.

Leica Infinity: Is there a free version?

No, only a 30-day trial.

Leica Infinity: Does it replace Cyclone for scanning?

No. Infinity handles scan data in a survey context; heavy registration and modelling work still belongs in Leica Cyclone.

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