Software Alternatives & Reviews

ArcGIS VS QGIS

Compare ArcGIS VS QGIS 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.

QGIS logo QGIS

QGIS is a desktop geographic information system, or GIS.
  • ArcGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22
  • QGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23

ArcGIS videos

What is ArcGIS?

More videos:

  • Review - ArcGIS Data Reviewer: An Introduction
  • Review - ArcGIS Data Reviewer: Integrating Data Quality Control into Web Applications

QGIS videos

QGIS vs ArcGIS

More videos:

  • Review - QGIS User 0020 - New features in QGIS 3.10
  • Review - Comparing ArcGIS Desktop and QGIS

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ArcGIS and QGIS)
Maps
42 42%
58% 58
Mapping And GIS
42 42%
58% 58
Web Mapping
45 45%
55% 55
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using ArcGIS and QGIS. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

ArcGIS Reviews

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,...
27 Differences Between ArcGIS and QGIS – The Most Epic GIS Software Battle in GIS History
Wonderful write up. It would really go a along way to introduce new users to the two softwares. My view however is that Arcgis has more capabilities, i am not saying arcmap now, i mean arcgis(Arcmap, Arc Scene, Arc Catalog, ArcPro and Arcgis Online all of which you could get for 100 dollars. (Arcgis for Personal Use). But looking at the cost means if it would have been free...
3 open source alternatives to ArcGIS Desktop
If you've ever worked with geographic data on the desktop, chances are that you used Esri's ArcGIS application in at least part of your work. ArcGIS is an incredibly powerful tool, but unfortunately, it's a proprietary product that is designed for Windows. Linux and Mac users are out of luck unless they want to run ArcGIS in a virtualized environment, and even then, they're...
Source: opensource.com

QGIS Reviews

The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS
QGIS is the #1 completely free (& open source!) GIS software solution available right now. We use it daily at Equator as a benchmark for what we do. While not always the most user-friendly solution, QGIS can probably do it if you’re willing to dig deep enough through it’s massive library of menus, functions, and plugins.
27 Differences Between ArcGIS and QGIS – The Most Epic GIS Software Battle in GIS History
6. QGIS have another plugin called QuickMapServices that along side with Open Layers gives you a variety of base maps. Still won’t win ESRI Online; 14. A huge advantage of QGIS is to allow several print compositions in one single project. Also, since version 2.8, each layer can have more than one style, and you can choose what style to use in a particular map; 19. On QGIS...
30 Best GIS Software Applications [Rankings]
QGIS 2 was one of the largest community efforts and open source progress in the history of GIS. And because it was community-driven, it became wildly innovative and inventive. Even though QGIS 2 is completely open source, it still rivals the best. But now, full support has shifted to QGIS 3.
10 Best GIS Software In 2022 (Geographic Information Systems)
QGIS is consummate for working with geospatial data. It is open-source software used to create, edit, visualize, and analyze geospatial data. This software is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
Source: cofes.com
Top 6 Free and Open-Source GIS Software
QGIS is a cross-platform compatible GIS software solution that comes under the GNU license. The open-source GIS software solution is adopted by many organizations around the globe and is one of the most popular GIS solutions. The software offers many features such as the ability to view data, explore data and compose maps, create, modify, manage, and export data, the...
Source: linuxways.net

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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

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.

Mapwize - A user-friendly indoor mapping platform

dive.site - dive.site is an interactive map for divers, with the best dive spots worldwide.

Baidu Map API - Baidu Maps is a desktop and mobile web mapping service, offering satellite imagery, street maps and indoor views