Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ArcGIS VS Switch2OSM

Compare ArcGIS VS Switch2OSM 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.

Switch2OSM logo Switch2OSM

Switch2OSM is a platform where you can build beautiful and interactive maps from the actionable data in place.
  • ArcGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22
  • Switch2OSM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-06-26

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.

Switch2OSM features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    OpenStreetMap (OSM) data is free to use under the Open Database License, and the tools and software provided by Switch2OSM are open-source, allowing users to customize and contribute to the mapping ecosystem.
  • Community-Driven
    Switch2OSM benefits from a large, active community that continuously updates and improves the map data, especially in areas that may be underrepresented in commercial mapping applications.
  • Up-to-Date Mapping
    Thanks to the vast network of contributors, OSM data is frequently updated, meaning that maps can be highly accurate and up-to-date with new roads, paths, and geographical changes.
  • Customizability
    Users can tailor maps to their specific needs, including styling, detail levels, and data layers, making OSM data flexible for various applications such as navigation and geographic analysis.
  • No Usage Limits
    Unlike many proprietary mapping services, there are no usage limits or additional costs for higher traffic levels, which can be particularly beneficial for small businesses and developers.

Possible disadvantages of Switch2OSM

  • Technical Complexity
    Setting up and maintaining a tile server or integrating OSM data can be complex and may require technical expertise, which could be a barrier for beginners or smaller teams without dedicated resources.
  • Variable Data Quality
    While some areas have detailed and high-quality data due to active contributors, other regions may lack granular information or updates, leading to inconsistencies in map quality.
  • Limited Support
    As a community-driven project, OSM relies on volunteers for support, which might not be as immediate or comprehensive as the dedicated support offered by commercial map providers.
  • Software Ecosystem
    The ecosystem around Switch2OSM, while robust, may not always have the polished, user-friendly tools or APIs available from commercial services, requiring users to piece together solutions from various sources.
  • Dependency on Community Contributions
    The efficacy and accuracy of the maps largely depend on community contributions, which can be uneven across different geographic locations, sometimes resulting in sparse data for less populated areas.

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

Switch2OSM videos

No Switch2OSM videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ArcGIS and Switch2OSM)
Maps
96 96%
4% 4
Mapping And GIS
100 100%
0% 0
Development
0 0%
100% 100
Web Mapping
96 96%
4% 4

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 Switch2OSM

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,...

Switch2OSM Reviews

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Switch2OSM seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 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.

Switch2OSM mentions (5)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ArcGIS and Switch2OSM, 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.

Leaflet - Leaflet is a modern, lightweight open-source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive 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.

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

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.