PolSAR tools
PolSAR tools: A focused, free QGIS plugin for polarimetric SAR analysis—not general-purpose GIS. Ranked #47 of 64 in GIS Software by our editors (4.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for researchers analyzing polarimetric SAR imagery.
At a glance
- Editor score4.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forResearchers analyzing polarimetric SAR imagery
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Spatial analysisAdvanced
- Founded2020
- Facts checked25 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Offers full-, compact- and dual-polarization workflows.
- Calculates radar vegetation indices and polarimetric descriptors.
- Imports generated descriptors into QGIS for visualization.
Where it doesn't
- Its focus is polarimetric SAR, not general-purpose GIS.
- Desktop deployment only; no web mapping or mobile apps.
- Support channels are limited to documentation.
Our verdict on PolSAR tools
PolSAR tools is an open-source QGIS plugin for processing polarimetric synthetic-aperture-radar data. It is aimed at researchers and other users working with full-, compact- or dual-polarization imagery, rather than people seeking a broad GIS application. The plugin accepts polarimetric matrices and produces descriptors, vegetation indices, scattering-power decompositions and preprocessing outputs. Its results can be viewed in QGIS, keeping the workflow centered on desktop raster analysis.
The feature set is specialized and substantial for radar work: full-polarimetric H/A/alpha, Touzi, Yamaguchi and Freeman decompositions sit alongside compact-polarimetric MF3CC and iS-Omega methods. Dual-polarimetric vegetation indices and descriptors, including RVI, GRVI, PRVI, CpRVI and DpRVI, extend the analysis options. Degree-of-polarization and Shannon-entropy calculations are also available. Preprocessing includes multi-looking and Refined-Lee or Boxcar filters, plus conversion of single-look S data. This breadth suits users who need polarimetric processing in QGIS; it is not a substitute for general GIS tools or web mapping.
PolSAR tools is free and open source, with desktop deployment. Installation is through the QGIS plugin manager or a ZIP package, and documented input formats include GeoTIFF, PolSARpro and ENVI. Integrations with QGIS, PolSARpro and ENVI provide a fit for users already working across those tools, while QGIS import supports visualization of generated descriptors. Documentation is the stated support channel. Choose it if your work depends on polarimetric SAR analysis and you want these functions in a QGIS workflow; look elsewhere if you need mobile apps, web mapping or a wider-purpose GIS product.
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PolSAR tools pricing
PolSAR tools fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Spatial analysis | Advanced |
| Web mapping | No |
| Dashboard builder | No |
| Raster data support | Yes |
| Mobile apps | No |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: QGIS, PolSARpro, ENVI |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | mrslab.in |
| Facts checked | 25 Sep 2026 |
PolSAR tools integrations
PolSAR tools lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- QGIS
- PolSARpro
- ENVI
Alternatives to PolSAR tools
- QGISA broad, no-cost GIS for advanced analysis, editing, mapping, and publishing.9.4
- GRASS GISA deep analytical GIS for technical teams that value open-source and scripted workflows.9.2
- Google Earth EngineA specialized GIS platform for large-scale satellite imagery, raster analysis, and geospatial computation.9.1
See all PolSAR tools alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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