Alternative GIS

Question

In many implications Google holds the major aspect regarding geospatial technology. Is there an alternative? I have used a lot of software and other then radar it seems Google dominates our satellite's (potential) hardware function, and even when you map alternatively it's still Google. I'm not always correct.
Feel free to fill me in, I'm listening.

Answer 1

Try ESRI ARCGIS

Answer 2

Try QGis or for satellite images try ENVI.
Moreover, there are more mapping servers like leaflet or openlayers if you want to use a map distributor different of google maps