EarthPoint alternative

A modern PLSS converter — current BLM data, REST API, no Google Earth

EarthPoint runs on a 2015 CadNSDI snapshot. Surveyors report 500–600 ft positional errors on 1/16 section lines. Township America is built on the current BLM CadNSDI V2, refreshed quarterly.

Why accuracy matters

The CadNSDI dataset that backs every PLSS lookup tool was substantially refreshed between 2015 and the V2 standard. Tools that haven't moved forward inherit the older survey alignments — including known positional drift on subsection lines.

"We quit using EarthPoint the day we discovered the 1/16 corners were 500–600 feet off from our field-verified locations."

— Professional surveyor, RPLS.com (2025)

Township America vs. EarthPoint

Side-by-side on the things that matter for working professionals.

Capability
Township America
EarthPoint
Underlying PLSS data
BLM CadNSDI V2 (current, refreshed quarterly)
2015 CadNSDI snapshot
Reported positional accuracy
Within official BLM tolerance
500–600 ft errors on 1/16 section lines (per RPLS.com)
Runs in browser
Yes — any modern browser
Requires Google Earth desktop
REST API
Yes — sub-200 ms p95
No
Python SDK
Published on PyPI
No
Batch CSV upload
Yes — up to 10K rows
No
Mobile (iOS + Android)
Yes — native apps
No
Export formats
GeoJSON, Shapefile, KMZ, CSV
KML only
Coverage
All 30 PLSS states · 37 principal meridians
30 PLSS states (with 2015 data)
Team accounts + projects
Yes (Business tier)
No
Pricing
Free tier · $10–$40/mo paid · enterprise
Subscription required for basic features

Who's switching

The four workflows where the move from EarthPoint pays back fastest.

ALTA surveyors post-Feb 2026

The 2026 ALTA/NSPS standards now require surveyors (not title insurers) to independently obtain adjoining parcel deeds. Batch lookup + REST API directly serve the new workflow.

O&G landmen on APD deadlines

Paste 50 PLSS descriptions, download GPS coordinates and section polygons, paste into the BLM Form 3160-3 or your LMS. Batch and API tiers handle volume.

GIS teams in ArcGIS / QGIS

Township America returns GeoJSON, Shapefile, and KMZ — drop straight into any spatial workflow without converting from KML first.

Carbon project developers

WV SB 118 mandates GIS shapefiles within 120 days of executing a forest carbon agreement. PLSS-to-shapefile conversion in seconds, not days.

Try it on your own descriptions first

The free tier converts up to 50 descriptions per month — enough to verify accuracy against your own field-validated coordinates before you upgrade.

No Google Earth · No installation · No credit card required