Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Bing Maps API VS ArcGIS

Compare Bing Maps API VS ArcGIS and see what are their differences

Bing Maps API logo Bing Maps API

Choose the maps API that meets your development needs: data visualization, Aerial 3D and Streetside imagery, geocoding, reverse-geocoding, routing, and more

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.
  • Bing Maps API Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-12-30
  • ArcGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-22

Bing Maps API features and specs

  • Comprehensive Coverage
    Bing Maps offers extensive global coverage with high-quality mapping data, making it suitable for diverse applications.
  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    Seamless integration with other Microsoft products and services, providing ease of use for developers already using Microsoft's technology stack.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Provides a wide range of features, including route optimization, geocoding, spatial data storage, and custom map styles.
  • Customizable Maps
    Allows developers to customize maps with various layers and styles to suit specific business needs.
  • Flexible Licensing Options
    Offers various licensing models, allowing businesses to choose plans that best fit their requirements and budgets.

Possible disadvantages of Bing Maps API

  • Cost Considerations
    While flexible, Bing Maps API can become expensive for larger-scale applications or high-volume usage.
  • Learning Curve
    Developers new to Bing Maps API may find a learning curve due to the comprehensive set of features and functionalities.
  • Less Popular than Competitors
    Bing Maps API is less commonly used compared to some competitors like Google Maps, which may affect community support and resources.
  • Dependency on Microsoft Ecosystem
    While integration is a pro, relying heavily on Microsoft may be a con for businesses using diverse technology stacks.
  • Limited Offline Support
    Offers limited offline capabilities, which might be a disadvantage for applications requiring high offline map usage.

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.

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

Bing Maps API videos

Using Bing Maps API to Geocode addresses with Power Query

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Bing Maps API and ArcGIS)
Maps
2 2%
98% 98
Web Mapping
2 2%
98% 98
Mapping And GIS
1 1%
99% 99
Geocoding
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

Bing Maps API Reviews

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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 youโ€™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,...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Bing Maps API and ArcGIS, you can also consider the following products

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

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

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 Places API - Google Places API is a best-in-class platform that offers a complete information about multiple places using HTTP requests.

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.