Shapefile is a 1990s standard, GeoPackage is a modern OGC replacement. GeoPackage solves many Shapefile limitations, but Shapefile still has universal support.
| Criteria | Shapefile | GeoPackage |
|---|---|---|
| Single file | ✗ | ✓ |
| Field name length | 10 chars | Unlimited |
| File size limit | 2 GB | Unlimited |
| Software support | ✓ | ✓ |
| SQL queries | ✗ | ✓ |
For legacy software compatibility, government systems, ArcGIS.
For modern QGIS projects, mobile GIS, large datasets.