Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) techniques such as AFM, STM and related methods are fundamental to research in nanoscience, materials engineering and life sciences. They allow researchers to access information at the nanometer and sub-nanometer scale, opening the door to new discoveries.
There is, however, an important technical difference between SPM and traditional microscopy: unlike an optical microscope, SPM does not produce a direct optical image.
In SPM, the “image” is actually a numerical reconstruction of physical interactions between a probe and a surface. Consequently, the only representation a researcher ever sees of the sample is the one constructed by the visualization software.
This makes the software component in SPM not only important, but indispensable. It is the lens through which the nanoworld is viewed. Furthermore, the real scientific value of SPM does not emerge from data acquisition alone; it comes from how that raw data is processed, validated and communicated. SPM data analysis software plays a direct role in the quality, credibility and usability of the final results.
Free tools and professional software: different purposes
In many academic laboratories, free or open-source software (OSS) are a common tool. These packages are excellent for teaching the fundamentals of SPM, providing an open platform for students to explore the underlying mathematics and logic of data processing. They also provide a creative environment for researchers who wish to write their own code or develop experimental plugins for very specific operations.
At the same time, the scientific community is increasingly recognizing that the demands of modern research (speed, volume and cross-institutional collaboration) often call for a more structured and scientifically-reliable approach. Professional software like MountainsSPIP® is designed with a specific set of priorities that correspond to these requirements.
Above. MountainsSPIP® professional SPM analysis software
Scientific and metrological validation
In a professional environment like MountainsSPIP®, every algorithm is developed by dedicated scientific teams and aligned with international ISO standards for surface texture and metrology.
Digital Surf is actively involved in these standardization committees. This means that when a researcher calculates surface roughness or grain size in MountainsSPIP®, they are using methods that are recognized and consistent across both academia and industry. This provides a significant benefit when responding to peer reviews or sharing data with industrial partners who require standardized results.
Built-in traceability and reproducibility
Reproducibility is one of the cornerstones of scientific research. Being able to answer the question “How exactly was this data processed?” is essential, sometimes years after the original experiment.
With many free tools, documenting each step is the responsibility of the user and usually requires manual record-keeping.
MountainsSPIP® solves this problem by integrating traceability directly in the process. Every operation is recorded automatically in an interactive analysis workflow. These steps can be reviewed, adjusted or re-applied to new datasets at any time. This “living” document ensures that if a reviewer asks for a modification, or if a colleague needs to replicate an experiment, the exact path from raw data to final result is preserved.
Above. MountainsSPIP® interactive analysis workflow guarantees traceability of data processing.
Optimizing instrument potential
Acquiring cutting-edge research instrumentation is a major undertaking for any university or industrial R&D center. A state-of-the-art AFM, for instance, is a highly sophisticated asset, chosen specifically for its performance and its ability to resolve surface features at the sub-nanometer scale.
Failing to pair such advanced hardware with a professional, widely recognized software solution – sometimes to save a relatively modest amount – ultimately limits the instrument’s capabilities and prevents it from delivering its full value. MountainsSPIP® ensures a seamless and robust data chain, from the tip of the probe to the final, publication-ready figure.
A thriving community and proven expertise
Digital Surf works in a collaborative environment. The company has strong links with a dynamic and active community of researchers working in prominent laboratories worldwide who contribute to the evolution of the company’s products. In 2025 alone, over 900 scientific publications citing Mountains® software were published.
Most of the major players in the world of surface metrology and precision microscopy have adopted the Mountains® software platform for their clients’ data analysis. Their constant feedback has allowed Digital Surf to adapt its solutions to fit current industry requirements, evolving standards and the increasingly complex needs of advanced surface and materials characterization.
Beyond the code, the value of a professional solution like MountainsSPIP® lies in the human support behind it:
- Expert guidance: unlike community forums where answers may be delayed or inconsistent, Digital Surf has a dedicated technical support team to assist with real-world scientific challenges.
- Comprehensive documentation: the specialized Mountains® documentation team maintains over 500 pages of up-to-date, illustrated help content which is translated into multiple languages.
A productivity boost for researchers and students
Time is a limited resource in both academia and industry. Free tools often require researchers to learn complex or non-intuitive interfaces, search through numerous menus and plugins or write, test and maintain scripts.
MountainsSPIP® is designed to reduce this overhead not only through its modern, workflow-oriented interface, but also through its no-code automation tools (templates and “Smartflows”). Furthermore, for power users who wish to develop their own specific methods, MountainsSPIP® now allows the integration of custom Python add-ons, combining the flexibility of custom coding with the power of a professional environment. This allows researchers to spend less time troubleshooting software and more time interpreting their findings.
Supporting interdisciplinary research
Modern research is rarely confined to a single technique. A researcher might characterize a sample using AFM, then move to an SEM for imaging and finally use Raman spectroscopy for chemical analysis. Managing these disparate datasets across multiple free software packages is quite often impossible or, at the very least, creates a risk of inconsistency.
MountainsSPIP® provides a unified environment for multi-technique data analysis. Its ability to correlate data from different sources into a single document and workflow is a powerful asset for complex, interdisciplinary projects, allowing for a more holistic understanding of the sample.
Comparison: freeware vs. professional solution
| Criteria | Freeware solutions | MountainsSPIP® (Digital Surf) |
| Scientific validation | Community-based | Tested, validated, ISO-standards aligned |
| Traceability | Manual / External | Integrated and automatic |
| Instrument power | May limit output | Unlocks full potential of expensive hardware |
| Automation | Requires programming | No-code + advanced options |
| Multi-technology | Mainly SPM | SPM + SEM + Spectral + Optical + Profilometry |
| Consistency | Variable | 35 years of stable capitalization |
A commitment to the future
Many of the team of experts at Digital Surf have spent decades refining the art of surface analysis. The company is immensely proud to serve a global community of 26,000+ users.
In turn, this community ensures the long-term sustainability of the company, allowing it to invest in continuous innovation.
Conclusion
Free and open-source software will always have a place in the scientific landscape, particularly for exploration and education. However, as the complexity and speed of research increase, the benefits of a professional solution have become undeniable. For those seeking built-in reproducibility, standardized validation and the peace of mind that comes with 35+ years of expertise, MountainsSPIP® remains the industry standard.
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Author : Mathieu Cognard, SPM product manager, Digital Surf