LizardTech Releases MrSID Plugin for QGIS on macOS, Bringing Native MrSID Support to QGIS 3.x and 4.x

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​

​

PARKER, Colorado — July 3, 2026 — GeoWGS84 Corp, through its LizardTech division, is pleased to announce the release of the Mac MrSID Support Helper, a new plugin that enables macOS users to easily install and use MrSID (.sid) raster imagery within QGIS 3.x and QGIS 4.x. The plugin supports both Intel (x86_64) and Apple Silicon (ARM64) Macs, making it easier than ever for GIS professionals, researchers, and students to access one of the geospatial industry's most widely used raster formats. 

​

The plugin simplifies the installation process by automatically downloading and configuring the required MrSID runtime components on macOS. Once installed, users can seamlessly open and work with MrSID imagery directly inside QGIS without the manual configuration traditionally required for macOS environments. 

​

​

MrSID has long been recognized for its ability to compress massive aerial and satellite imagery while preserving excellent visual quality and enabling rapid multi-resolution viewing. The new plugin ensures that macOS users can continue to leverage the performance and storage advantages of the MrSID format within one of the world's leading open-source GIS platforms.

 

"Open-source GIS continues to grow rapidly, and we want to ensure that MrSID remains accessible to every GIS professional regardless of their operating system," said Utkal Sharma, Founder and CEO of GeoWGS84 Corp., the parent company of Lizardtech.  "This release removes a long-standing barrier for macOS users and demonstrates our commitment to supporting both the MrSID ecosystem and the global QGIS community."

​​

​

​

 

The release is expected to benefit a broad range of users, including government agencies, universities, engineering firms, environmental consultants, remote sensing professionals, and students who rely on macOS for their GIS workflows. By simplifying access to MrSID imagery, the plugin helps users spend less time configuring software and more time analyzing geospatial data.

​

The Mac MrSID Support Helper is available through the official QGIS Plugin Repository and can be installed directly from the QGIS Plugin Manager. (QGIS Plugins)

​

Key Features

• Supports QGIS 3.x and QGIS 4.x

• Compatible with Intel and Apple Silicon macOS systems

• Automated installation of MrSID runtime support

• Enables seamless viewing of .sid raster imagery in QGIS

• Free and easy installation through the QGIS Plugin Manager (QGIS Plugins)

​

About LizardTech

​

LizardTech, now a GeoWGS84 company, is the creator of the MrSID image compression technology and develops software for compressing, managing, and distributing high-resolution geospatial imagery and LiDAR data. GeoWGS84 continues to invest in the MrSID platform with new products, SDKs, plugins, and expanded support for modern geospatial workflows. 

​

​

Media Contact

​

GeoWGS84 Corp.
LizardTech Division
Parker, Colorado, USA
Email: info@lizardtech.com
Website: www.lizardtech.com