Crossing software boundaries: From iDig and ODK to QField for archaeological field documentation

The rapid development of technology and its integration into archaeological practices have greatly benefited archaeologists. Despite the many advantages of using technological tools, archaeologists face a major risk related to their limitations and technological dependence on specific software platforms. This article presents two case studies in which archaeological teams transitioned to open-source software that natively supports GIS technologies, replacing previously closed or limited digital frameworks. The first case concerns the transition from the iDig recording system to the QField ecosystem for excavation documentation. The second case presents a similar technological transition where QField replaced an ODK-based data collection framework in the context of surface survey. Each case includes a comparison of the software solutions used, focusing on their features and performance in archaeological workflows. The purpose of the article is to highlight that the long-term improvement of performance in archaeological field documentation is not tied to any single software, but depends mainly on the team’s ability to transition and adapt to new digital environments. Archaeological teams can benefit far more from embracing openness, interoperability, and long-term sustainability through the use of open-source software.