Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ArcGIS VS MapKit JS

Compare ArcGIS VS MapKit JS and see what are their differences

ArcGIS logo ArcGIS

ArcGIS software is a data analysis, cloud-based mapping platform that allows users to customize maps and see real-time data ranging from logistics support to overall mapping analysis.

MapKit JS logo MapKit JS

JavaScript API for interactive Apple maps
  • ArcGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22
  • MapKit JS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21

ArcGIS features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    ArcGIS offers a wide range of tools for data analysis, map creation, spatial analytics, and geoprocessing, making it suitable for a variety of GIS applications.
  • Data Integration
    ArcGIS supports integration with various data types and formats, including CAD, satellite imagery, and real-time data streams, providing flexibility in data management.
  • User Community and Support
    ArcGIS has a large, active user community and extensive support resources, including online forums, tutorials, and documentation, facilitating user assistance and knowledge sharing.
  • Scalability
    ArcGIS is scalable from single-user desktop applications to enterprise-wide deployments, allowing organizations of all sizes to leverage its capabilities.
  • Advanced Spatial Analysis
    ArcGIS provides advanced spatial analysis capabilities, including 3D mapping, network analysis, and spatial statistics, enabling in-depth geographic insights.

Possible disadvantages of ArcGIS

  • Cost
    ArcGIS can be expensive, requiring significant investment for licensing, maintenance, and potentially additional modules or extensions.
  • Learning Curve
    The software has a steep learning curve, particularly for new users, due to its comprehensive and complex functionalities.
  • Resource Intensive
    ArcGIS can be resource-intensive, requiring robust hardware and processing power, which may be a limitation for users with older or less powerful systems.
  • Closed Ecosystem
    ArcGIS operates within a largely proprietary ecosystem, which can limit compatibility and integration with non-Esri systems and tools.
  • Maintenance and Updates
    Frequent updates and maintenance requirements can be time-consuming and sometimes disrupt workflow, necessitating constant attention from IT staff.

MapKit JS features and specs

  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem
    MapKit JS seamlessly integrates with Apple’s services, enabling developers to utilize Apple’s mapping capabilities and ensuring consistency across Apple platforms.
  • High-Quality Map Data
    Apple provides high-quality, detailed maps with regular updates, offering users accurate geographic information.
  • Customizable Map Features
    Developers can customize map views, annotations, and overlays to better fit the design and functionality of their application.
  • Privacy Considerations
    Apple places a strong emphasis on user privacy, which can benefit developers concerned about user data protection.

Possible disadvantages of MapKit JS

  • Restricted to Apple Developer Program
    To use MapKit JS, developers must be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program, which involves a subscription fee.
  • Limited Browser Support
    MapKit JS may have limited support on non-Safari browsers, potentially affecting cross-browser compatibility.
  • Rate and Usage Limits
    There are usage limits for map views and requests, which can constrain applications with a large number of users or high traffic.
  • Less Extensive API Compared to Competitors
    Compared to other mapping services (e.g., Google Maps), MapKit JS might have fewer features and integrations available.

Analysis of ArcGIS

Overall verdict

  • Yes, ArcGIS is considered a highly effective and efficient tool for GIS professionals and organizations that require advanced spatial analysis and mapping capabilities. Its comprehensive and scalable solutions make it a leading choice in the GIS industry.

Why this product is good

  • ArcGIS by Esri is a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS) platform known for its robust functionalities and tools that support spatial analysis, data visualization, and geographic mapping. The platform is widely used across various industries, including urban planning, environmental science, government, and utilities. It offers powerful features such as geospatial analysis, data integration capabilities, a wide range of mapping tools, and support for a broad array of data formats. Furthermore, with its continuous updates and improvements, users benefit from the latest advancements in GIS technology.

Recommended for

  • Urban Planners
  • Environmental Scientists
  • Government Agencies
  • Utility Companies
  • Educational Institutions
  • Transportation and Logistics Companies
  • Real Estate Developers
  • Public Safety and Emergency Response Organizations

ArcGIS videos

What is ArcGIS?

More videos:

  • Review - ArcGIS Data Reviewer: An Introduction
  • Review - ArcGIS Data Reviewer: Integrating Data Quality Control into Web Applications
  • Review - ArcGIS Review: History teacher heaven!
  • Review - ArcGIS Review: WJCUD mapping and asset collection

MapKit JS videos

No MapKit JS videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ArcGIS and MapKit JS)
Maps
94 94%
6% 6
Mapping And GIS
100 100%
0% 0
Web Mapping
94 94%
6% 6
Geocoding
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ArcGIS and MapKit JS

ArcGIS Reviews

Top 7 ArcGIS Alternatives For Your GIS Needs
ArcGIS is a scalable and secure GIS software platform developed by Esri. It enables customers to enhance decision-making by collecting, managing, and analyzing data and sharing apps and maps with a collaborative and connected online geographic information system. From transportation to retail, urban planning, and even retail management, ArcGIS offers applications for every...
Source: nextbillion.ai
Top 10 GIS Software Tools And Solutions
Despite its strengths, ArcGIS Pro does have some limitations. The high licensing cost can be a significant barrier, particularly for smaller organisations or individual users. Project files can become bulky, which may affect performance and storage. MXD file conversions often result in missing objects, which can complicate transitions from older versions of ArcGIS. License...
Source: em360tech.com
Top 3 GIS & Map Dashboard Software to Watch in 2025
ArcGIS Dashboards, part of Esri's ArcGIS ecosystem, is designed for professionals who need detailed geospatial analysis and sophisticated map dashboards.
Source: atlas.co
18 Top Google Places API Alternatives for Points of Interest Data in 2022
If you’re an ArcGIS user, you can use its geocoding service to search for a location and return complete addresses. You can also use it to search for name of a business within a specific distance from a location or find places by category name.
Source: traveltime.com
The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS
GIS software is a powerful tool that enables for the presentation, collection, manipulation, management, and analysis of spatial data. It is therefore no surprise that it is used in such a variety of industries ranging from transportation and infrastructure, to environmental planning and disaster response. Currently, ArcGIS is one of the world-leading GIS software available,...

MapKit JS Reviews

18 Top Google Places API Alternatives for Points of Interest Data in 2022
With Apple’s MapKit JS, you can embed interactive Apple maps on your website as well as annotate points of interest or user destinations.
Source: traveltime.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, MapKit JS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ArcGIS mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ArcGIS yet. Tracking of ArcGIS recommendations started around Mar 2021.

MapKit JS mentions (6)

  • Understanding Mapbox API Integration: A Deep Dive
    Mapkit JS (Apple): Sleek, privacy-focused mapping solution with excellent iOS integration, beautiful default styling, and high-performance rendering, though with more limited customization options than some alternatives. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Apple Maps on the web launches in beta
    Odd, since the underlying MapKit JS supports Firefox. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/mapkitjs/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Apple Maps on the web launches in beta
    Apple says that MapKit.JS works on Firefox, so this beta web page is probably just working out bugs before they release for FF. Perhaps a rendering issue? https://developer.apple.com/documentation/mapkitjs/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Apple Maps API
    If it's important that it's Apple Maps specifically, you can use Mapkit JS. Source: over 2 years ago
  • iOS 15 Is Available
    > offer Apple Maps on the web If they wanted to, they could easily do that. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/mapkitjs: “Use this JavaScript API to embed interactive maps directly into your webpages or apps across different platforms and operating systems, including iOS and Android. Like MapKit for native apps, you can also add annotations and overlays to the map to call out points of interest or user... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ArcGIS and MapKit JS, you can also consider the following products

OSGeo - QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.

Google Maps - Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Mapbox - An open source mapping platform for custom designed maps. Our APIs and SDKs are the building blocks to integrate location into any mobile or web app.

LocationIQ - Mapping APIs and Mapping and GIS

Google Earth Pro - Google Earth Pro allows you fly anywhere around the earth to view satellite imagery, maps, 3D building, and terrain, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean.

OpenStreetMap - OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.