Quick answer: choose Shapefile when a legacy GIS or agency workflow requires maximum compatibility. Choose GeoPackage when you want one portable file, multiple layers, and fewer sidecar-file problems. If you need to switch formats now, use Shapefile to GeoPackage or GeoPackage to Shapefile.
Shapefile and GeoPackage are both common GIS formats, but they solve different problems. Shapefiles are widely supported and easy to share, while GeoPackage is a modern container that can store multiple layers in a single file.
Quick comparison
| Topic | Shapefile | GeoPackage (GPKG) |
|---|---|---|
| Files | Multiple sidecars (.shp/.dbf/.shx/…) | Single .gpkg file |
| Layer support | One layer per dataset | Multiple layers in one file |
| Web friendliness | Often requires zipping | Easy to upload as one file |
| CRS handling | .prj sidecar (recommended) | Stored inside the database |
When Shapefile is still useful
Use a Shapefile when:
- You need maximum compatibility with legacy workflows
- The data is simple and easy to package as a zip
- You are exchanging data with tools that still expect
.shp
When GeoPackage is a better choice
Use GeoPackage when:
- You want a single file you can share and archive
- You need multiple layers or related tables
- You prefer a modern, SQLite-based format for data management
Open and convert online
- Open Shapefile online: /open-shapefile-online/
- Open GeoPackage online: /open-gpkg-online/
- Convert Shapefile to GeoPackage: /shapefile-to-gpkg/
- Convert GeoPackage to Shapefile: /gpkg-to-shapefile/
Related reading
- Tutorial: /blog/how-to-open-shapefile-online/