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ArcGIS

Mapping & analytics system for visualizing data by location

Last updated: February 2025

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ArcGIS - 2025 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

What is ArcGIS?

ArcGIS from Esri is an integrated collection of geographic information system (GIS) software products for multiple platforms and promising standards-compliant handling of spatial analysis, data management, and location-based 3D data mapping. Providing the contextual tools for mapping and spatial reasoning, ArcGIS enables users to visualize and analyze organizational business practice data in terms of its environmental location, while collaborating with others by sharing insights via not only maps, but apps and reports also. ArcGIS Online is specifically the hosted, online SaaS version of the product, offering a complete, cloud-based mapping solution.

ArcGIS Online promises a scalable, secure and compliant GIS that allows users to collaboratively use, create and share maps, while working with scenes, layers, analytics, data and also apps. In addition, access is granted to content within ArcGIS' Living Atlas of the World and its collection of geographic information sourced from around the globe including maps, apps and data layers relevant to a variety of working applications. Aside from the product's cloud infrastructure, ArcGIS is then supported by a suite of extra apps and a number compatible with iOS and Android devices. This includes the ArcGIS Companion app for field-based access to the viewing of organizational content, plus additional tools and features for data collection.

Benefits of using ArcGIS

ArcGIS Online is the cloud-based SaaS version of ArcGIS, representing a collaborative online mapping and analysis solution that is accessible from anywhere at anytime, secured and compliant with FedRAMP, FISMA and TRUSTe accreditation.

Enterprise-ready tools include Single Sign-On (SSO) access, group-based people management, assignment of privileges and licenses, plus the monitoring of both internal activity metrics within an organization and those for maps / apps shared publicly.

Map creation is made as simple as dragging and dropping a spreadsheet, uploading local data files or connecting cloud stored content, before smart mapping generates suggestions for plotting data-driven visualizations while offering custom styling choices.

A collection of "basemaps" are available in vector format for high-resolution fidelity and flexible styling, consisting of satellite imagery, street maps, landscapes, oceans and more.

ArcGIS Apps offer an additional collection of integrated, location-based apps for field access, with ArcGIS Companion providing native remote access to an ArcGIS Online organization via iPhone and Android devices.

Starting from

No pricing info

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ArcGIS’s pros and cons based on 504 verified reviews

To identify what users like and dislike about ArcGIS, our data scientists apply advanced modeling techniques to our proprietary reviews data. We've sorted the resulting list of pros and cons based on the percentage of users who expressed positive sentiment toward the given topic in their reviews.

To determine these pros and cons insights, we analyzed responses from 504 verified reviews

Leading industry standard

96% of reviewers feel positive about ArcGIS being the industry standard. Users say it offers an extensive array of functionalities and tools unmatched by other GIS software. They appreciate its robustness and versatility, catering to various industries and sectors. Reviewers indicate that its widespread use and continuous innovation make it a trusted choice for businesses and professionals, providing a good return on investment.

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“ArcGIS is by far the industry leader when it comes to the world of GIS and offers an extensive array of functionalities and tools that no other GIS software can offer.”

Michael Mutale

Founder, CEO

“It offers a robust and versatile platform that caters to the needs of various industries and sectors”

Oumaima Abouelouafi

research analyst

Effective project planning

96% of reviewers feel positive about ArcGIS's project planning capabilities. Users think it is an indispensable tool for urban planners, engineers, and designers, allowing for various analyses such as transportation, economic, and geographical. They appreciate its effective data visualization, which aids in inventory and dispatch management. Reviewers find it flexible and easy to integrate with other software, making it valuable for complex projects and decision-making.

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“The fact that planners can use it to do variety of analysis including transportational analysis,geographical analysis,economic analysis,built form analysis among many others with the software makes it the most convinient tool in possession of urban planners and designers”

LEWIS MUTHURI

urban planner

“In my role now as a planning engineer, I use this in route planning for the material and goods transportation to reduce the transportation cost. Since its data visualization is so much effective I am able to make inventory management, and dispatch management very much easier.”

Kushan Chathura Arampolage

Planning Engineer

Comprehensive geospatial analysis

95% of reviewers feel positive about ArcGIS's geospatial analysis capabilities. Users think it is the most complete geographic information system, allowing for high-quality map production and extensive geographic data analysis. They appreciate its versatility in various fields such as environmental sciences, urban planning, and hydrology. Reviewers indicate that it helps in visualizing and solving spatial problems efficiently, making it an essential tool for geographers and other professionals.

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“Is the most complete geographic information system, since it allows you to work from the process of vectorization, creation of databases and the realization of high-quality map products”

Elena K. Pérez G.

GEOGRAFO

“ArcGIS has permitted you to show map information in an outwardly engaging manner and give broad investigation of geographic information for an enormous scope in a straightforward manner.”

Carlos Balmaseda

PhD Agricultural Sciences

Versatile geoprocessing tools

95% of reviewers feel positive about ArcGIS's geoprocessing tasks. Reviewers appreciate the extensive functionality built into the geoprocessing tools, which allow for customization of spatial analysis to solve various challenges. They find the integration with scripting languages like Python beneficial for batch processing and automation. Users say the tools are easy to use and understand, even for new users, and they enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.

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“There is so much functionality built into different geoprocessing tools that you can customize your spatial analysis to complete basically any task and solve any spatial challenge. ”

Vikram Hardatt

Student

“They have spent time optimizing the geoprocessing tools, as well the integration with py is great from batch work.”

Andrew Allen

Cartographer / GIS Manager

Frequent software crashes

92% of reviewers feel negative about ArcGIS's software stability. Users report frequent crashes and bugs, leading to frustration and loss of unsaved work. They mention that the software can be prone to sudden closures, especially when handling large files or performing advanced analysis. Reviewers indicate that the lack of an auto-save feature exacerbates the issue, making it necessary to save work frequently to avoid data loss.

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“ArcGIS has a habit of spontaneously not working whenever it feels like it, frequently crashes with unsaved data.”

Emily Weiler

Field lead

“cannot handle large size files and crash during the processing”

Saran Aadhar

PhD student

High Cost Barrier

76% of reviewers feel negative about ArcGIS' value for money/pricing. Users think the software is expensive and not open source. Some users report that student rates and free licensing for startups are beneficial. Some reviewers feel the high price limits access for individuals and small businesses. They say the cost can be prohibitive.

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“It is very expensive and that is a big limitation because you have to pay for every tool independientely, the basic license allows you to do some processes but some elements are not allowed.”

Raquel Aguilera

Técnico I

“The price is and always had been the great limitation of this software, this a software that a small company does not allows, and this can be bad for people who wants to improve their business with this great tool but does not have the money to pay for the license.”

Maryalba Gomez Fermin

Gestión de proyectos freelance

Slow processing speed

75% of reviewers feel negative about ArcGIS's processing speed. Users say the software can be very slow to load and process data, particularly when dealing with large maps or multiple layers. They report that it can strain computer resources, causing the system to become unresponsive or crash. Reviewers find this slowness hampers productivity, especially when working on time-sensitive projects.

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“I really don't like it using it it's so slow when is starting, when the window appears it starts to freeze, so i get to wait for some time to come back to normal.”

Dragi Petrovski

Programmer

“When many layers are added, the software becomes rather slow and I have had it crash many many times.”

Darrian Bertrand

Climatologist

ArcGIS's key features

Most critical features, based on insights from ArcGIS users:

Data Import/Export

4.6

(70)

Data Mapping

4.6

(67)

Geographic Maps

4.7

(60)

Map Creation

4.7

(46)

Geolocation

4.5

(36)

Map Sharing

4.5

(27)

All ArcGIS features

Features rating:

4.6

(504)

Collaboration Tools

5.0

(1)

Strategic Planning

5.0

(2)

Status Tracking

5.0

(1)

Customizable Forms

3.5

(2)

Spatial Analysis

4.5

(6)

Key Performance Indicators

5.0

(1)

Dashboard

5.0

(1)

Interoperability

5.0

(4)

Data Connectors

5.0

(1)

Reporting & Statistics

4.4

(7)

Document Management

4.5

(2)

Drag & Drop

4.6

(5)

Real-Time Monitoring

4.4

(5)

Real-Time Data

5.0

(3)

Predictive Analytics

5.0

(1)

Geocoding

4.0

(1)

Publishing/Sharing

5.0

(1)

Preventive Maintenance

4.0

(4)

API

4.0

(1)

Alerts/Notifications

4.5

(2)

Visual Analytics

5.0

(3)

Ad hoc Reporting

4.0

(1)

User Management

4.0

(1)

Activity Tracking

5.0

(1)

Census Data Integration

4.5

(2)

Chatbot

5.0

(1)

Activity Dashboard

4.0

(2)

Access Controls/Permissions

3.0

(1)

Statistical Analysis

4.3

(6)

Labeling

4.5

(6)

Internet Mapping

4.6

(11)

Driver Management

4.2

(9)

Asset Tracking

4.6

(5)

Reporting/Analytics

4.5

(4)

Route Optimization

4.2

(47)

Dispatch Management

4.0

(11)

Mobile Access

3.8

(19)

Work Order Management

3.9

(13)

Location Tracking

4.2

(48)

Real-Time Notifications

3.5

(2)

Image Management

4.5

(2)

Routing

4.0

(2)

Maintenance Scheduling

5.0

(1)

Third-Party Integrations

4.0

(2)

Scheduling

3.9

(13)

Performance Metrics

4.0

(3)

Order Management

4.2

(6)

Paratransit Management

(0)

Multiple Route Support

(0)

Multiple Data Sources

(0)

Monitoring

(0)

Multi-Language

(0)

Multi-Location

4.0

(1)

Predictive Modeling

(0)

Data Visualization

5.0

(1)

Workflow Management

5.0

(1)

Widgets

(0)

Trend/Problem Indicators

(0)

Trend Analysis

(0)

Trade Area Analysis

(0)

Task Scheduling

(0)

Task Management

(0)

Tagging

(0)

Single Sign On

(0)

Service Request Management

(0)

Self Service Data Preparation

(0)

Search/Filter

(0)

Scorecards

(0)

Role-Based Permissions

(0)

Reservations Management

(0)

Reminders

(0)

Real-Time Reporting

(0)

Real-Time Analytics

(0)

Real Time Simulation

(0)

Profitability Analysis

(0)

Process/Workflow Automation

(0)

Data Transformation

(0)

Data Synchronization

(0)

Data Management

(0)

Data Extraction

(0)

Data Collection

(0)

Data Capture and Transfer

4.0

(1)

Dashboard Creation

(0)

Customizable Templates

(0)

Customizable Reports

(0)

Customizable Fields

(0)

Customizable Branding

(0)

Customer Segmentation

(0)

Cost Tracking

(0)

Communication Management

(0)

Color Codes/Icons

(0)

Check-in/Check-out

3.0

(1)

Bus Mileage Optimization

(0)

Benchmarking

(0)

Behavioral Analytics

(0)

Barcoding/RFID

(0)

Asset Lifecycle Management

(0)

Alerts/Escalation

(0)

Ad hoc Query

(0)

3D Imaging

4.0

(2)

Mobile App

(0)

Mileage Tracking

(0)

Metadata Management

(0)

Maintenance Management

(0)

IT Asset Tracking

(0)

Inventory Tracking

2.0

(1)

Historical Reporting

(0)

Heatmaps

(0)

Geotargeting

(0)

Geofencing

(0)

Forecasting

(0)

For Sales Teams/Organizations

(0)

Fixed Route Management

(0)

Fixed Asset Management

(0)

Facility Asset Management

(0)

Equipment Tracking

5.0

(1)

Equipment Management

(0)

Equipment Maintenance

(0)

Driver Logs

(0)

Document Storage

(0)

Disposal Management

(0)

Depreciation Management

(0)

Demographic Data

(0)

Deep Learning

(0)

Database Support

(0)

ArcGIS awards

Route Planning

82/100

ArcGIS alternatives

ArcGIS

4.6

(504)

Starting from

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Free trial

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Ease of Use

3.9

Features

4.6

Value for Money

4.0

Customer Support

4.1

eMaint CMMS

4.4

(295)

visit website

Starting from

Per month

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

4.2

Features

4.3

Value for Money

4.2

Customer Support

4.4

Zuper

4.6

(26)

visit website

Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

4.5

Features

4.6

Value for Money

4.3

Customer Support

4.5

Q Ware CMMS

4.5

(56)

visit website

Starting from

Per month

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

4.5

Features

4.3

Value for Money

4.5

Customer Support

4.7

ArcGIS pricing

Starting from

No pricing info

Pricing details

Subscription

Free trial

Free plan

Pricing range

view pricing plans

User opinions about ArcGIS price and value

Value for money rating:

4.0

Of 101 reviews that provide robust commentary on ArcGIS's price and value, 24% mention it in a positive light.

Reviewers appreciate the extensive functionalities and capabilities of ArcGIS, noting that it provides significant value for their time and money, especially for professional and organizational use. Users think that while the software is not open source and may be expensive, its powerful features and potential justify the cost for those who can afford it. Some users report that ArcGIS offers student rates and free licensing for startups, which can be beneficial. However, some reviewers feel that the high price of the software and its modules can be a significant limitation, particularly for individuals, small businesses, and those with limited budgets. They say that the cost of licenses and additional tools can be prohibitive, making it difficult for smaller organizations to access the full suite of features. Some reviewers find that despite the high cost, the software's extensive capabilities and professional support make it a worthwhile investment for those who need its advanced functionalities.

Check .

To see what individual users think of ArcGIS's cost and value, check out the review excerpts below.

“ESRI is offering startups a free licensing for using it for GIS startups for one year.”

venkatasivaram patiballa

GIS QA SPECIALIST

“The price is the greatest limitation of ArcGIS, because the license is so expensive and every modul is sell separately, that is a big limitation for people who wants to use another moduls and only can use the basic one because of the price.”

Rafael Mejias

Analista

“Mainly the yearly subscription model and the high cost of extensions such as spatial analyst toolkit is too high for small businesses.”

Jeremiah Sunwoo

Project Engineer

ArcGIS integrations (73)

Integrations rated by users

We looked through 504 user reviews, to identify which products are mentioned as ArcGIS integrations, and what is the users perception.

AutoCAD

Integration rating: 4.8 (4)

“because it allows for seamless data exchange and collaboration between the two platforms, enabling users to leverage the strengths of each software for their specific workflows.”

“Plug in the data points from ArcGIS to AutoCAD to find the consumer list and project attributes”

Oumaima Abouelouafi

research analyst

1/2

QGIS

Integration rating: 5.0 (3)

“For me, the integration of ArcGIS and QGIS is crucial since it enables me to take advantage of the advantages of both platforms and improve my geospatial operations. As a committed GIS user, I like the ability to easily move projects and data between ArcGIS and QGIS. My productivity and efficiency are increased thanks to this integration, which gives me access to a greater variety of tools, functions, and data sources. It also enables me to work with a larger group of GIS experts who may employ either program. By bridging the gap between several software platforms, the integration enables me to take advantage of each platform's distinctive characteristics and produce more thorough and insightful geographic studies. ”

Joseph Mwaura

Senior Engineer

Google Drive

Integration rating: 4.0 (1)

“To backup the GIS data files on a daily basis with Python script and to reach out to remote sensing work orders.”

Anonymous Reviewer

Mechanical Engineer

Elements XS

Integration rating: 5.0 (2)

Microsoft Excel

Integration rating: 5.0 (2)

Oracle Database

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Google Maps

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

SAP Customer Experience

Integration rating: 4.0 (1)

ArcGIS support options

Typical customers

Freelancers

Small businesses

Mid size businesses

Large enterprises

Platforms supported

Web

Android

iPhone/iPad

Support options

FAQs/Forum

Knowledge Base

Phone Support

Email/Help Desk

Chat

24/7 (Live rep)

Training options

Videos

In Person

Documentation

Live Online

Webinars

ArcGIS reviews

Overall rating

4.6

504

Positive reviews

Rating breakdown

Value for money
Ease of use
Features
Customer support
Likelihood to recommend8.51/10

Rating distribution

325

155

Pros

“I got an outstanding applause from my audience during my project presentation on drainage simulation I did with Arcgis, and I got the first contract deal same day.”

Johnson I.

Freelancer

“I like the ability to format and being able to change the symbology. And generally feel that they make a very good looking maps compared to other, non-premium GIS software.”

Kyo Y.

GIS Technician

“ArcGIS is terrific because it is free and still very functional. It is well-supported and has ample user training available from actual users on YouTube.”

Tim C.

Marketing Director

Cons

“It's very much difficult to install to our pc. If it's wrongly installed we have again updated the os and reinstall the software.”

Rilwan M.

Executive

“I don't use this frequently, but when I do need to verify some data, it is not very intuitive and I often get lost in the amount of data shown.”

Verified reviewer

Anonymity request

“Also, downloading and licensing this software is the biggest pain.”

Sara R.

Student

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ArcGIS FAQs

Q. What type of pricing plans does ArcGIS offer?

ArcGIS has the following pricing plans:
Pricing model: Free, Subscription
Free Trial: Available | (No Credit Card required)

These products have better value for money

Q. Who are the typical users of ArcGIS?

ArcGIS has the following typical customers:
Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non Profit, Public Administrations, Small Business

Q. What languages does ArcGIS support?

ArcGIS supports the following languages:
English, Arabic, Catalan, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian (Bokmal), Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Q. Does ArcGIS support mobile devices?

ArcGIS supports the following devices:
Android, iPad, iPhone

Q. Does ArcGIS offer an API?

Yes, ArcGIS has an API available for use.

Q. What level of support does ArcGIS offer?

ArcGIS offers the following support options:
FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, Email/Help Desk, Chat, 24/7 (Live rep)