# Field data & GPS

Last updated: 2026-10-20

Field data apps compared, how accurate phone GPS really is, and how to keep the location on every field photo.

Part of the [Restoration Scope blog](https://restorationscope.com/blog.md).

## Posts

- [ArcGIS Field Maps Alternatives for Restoration and Carbon Projects](https://restorationscope.com/blog/arcgis-field-maps-alternatives.md): ArcGIS Field Maps alternatives for mapping restoration and carbon sites: QField, Mergin Maps, Survey123, Avenza Maps, Fulcrum and ODK, checked October 2026.
- [What Is EXIF Location Data in Photos?](https://restorationscope.com/blog/exif-photo-location.md): EXIF location data is the GPS position a phone saves inside a photo. What it records, why it goes missing, and how far to trust it as field evidence.
- [Field-Data Apps for Reforestation Teams](https://restorationscope.com/blog/field-data-capture-apps.md): Compare field-data apps for reforestation, including KoboToolbox, QField and ArcGIS, by workflow, technical capacity and who will maintain the system.
- [Why Do Field Photos Lose Their GPS Location?](https://restorationscope.com/blog/field-photos-missing-gps.md): Which apps strip GPS from photos, the phone settings to check, how to record camera direction, and how to fix photos that already lost their location.
- [KoboToolbox Alternatives for Restoration and Carbon Projects](https://restorationscope.com/blog/kobotoolbox-alternatives.md): KoboToolbox alternatives for reforestation and carbon projects: ODK, SurveyCTO, CommCare, Survey123, QField and Mergin Maps, prices checked October 2026.
- [ODK Alternatives for Restoration and Carbon Projects](https://restorationscope.com/blog/odk-alternatives.md): ODK alternatives for reforestation and carbon projects: KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, CommCare, QField, Survey123, CyberTracker and Epicollect5, checked October 2026.
- [How Accurate Is Phone GPS for Field Data?](https://restorationscope.com/blog/phone-gps-accuracy.md): Phone GPS is usually accurate to 3–5 m under open sky and 5–10 m under canopy. What that means for plots, boundaries and trees, and how to test it.
- [QField Alternatives for Restoration and Carbon Field Mapping](https://restorationscope.com/blog/qfield-alternatives.md): QField alternatives for mapping restoration and carbon sites: Mergin Maps, ArcGIS Field Maps, ODK and KoboToolbox, with prices checked October 2026.