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Esri ArcGIS VS PostGIS

Compare Esri ArcGIS VS PostGIS and see what are their differences

Esri ArcGIS logo Esri ArcGIS

ArcGIS provides contextual tools for mapping and spatial reasoning so you can explore data & share location-based insights. ArcGIS is the heart of the Esri Geospatial Cloud. Try ArcGIS for free with 21-day trial.

PostGIS logo PostGIS

Open source spatial database
  • Esri ArcGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-14
  • PostGIS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-18

Esri ArcGIS features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    ArcGIS offers a wide range of tools for mapping, spatial analysis, data management, and more, making it a versatile platform for various GIS needs.
  • Scalability
    ArcGIS can scale from individual use on a desktop to extensive enterprise deployments, allowing it to meet the needs of small projects as well as large organizations.
  • Integration Capabilities
    The platform supports integration with other software systems and databases, as well as various APIs, enabling seamless data sharing and workflow integration.
  • Robust Support and Documentation
    Esri provides extensive documentation, a comprehensive support system, and a vibrant user community, which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Advanced Spatial Analysis
    ArcGIS includes powerful spatial analysis tools and machine learning capabilities to reveal patterns and insights from spatial data.
  • Regular Updates and Innovations
    Esri regularly updates ArcGIS, introducing new features, tools, and improvements to keep up with technology advancements and user requirements.
  • Cloud Services
    ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise offer cloud-based solutions, providing robust data hosting, sharing, and collaboration capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Esri ArcGIS

  • Cost
    ArcGIS can be expensive, especially for small organizations or individuals, as it requires a subscription or purchase of licenses for access to its full range of features.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its comprehensive toolset, ArcGIS can have a steep learning curve, requiring significant time and training to master.
  • Hardware Requirements
    Running ArcGIS, particularly for large datasets and complex analyses, can require powerful hardware, which might necessitate additional infrastructure investment.
  • Complexity
    The software's extensive capabilities can sometimes be overwhelming, making it challenging for users to find and employ the right tools for their specific needs.
  • Licensing Complexity
    ArcGIS has multiple products and licensing options, which can be confusing and might require careful consideration to choose the best suited for the user's needs.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Some of the cloud-based features of ArcGIS require a stable internet connection, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Proprietary Software
    ArcGIS is not open-source, which means that users do not have full control over the software and its customizability might be limited compared to open-source GIS platforms.

PostGIS features and specs

  • Open Source
    PostGIS is open-source, meaning it is free to use and has a strong community support for development and troubleshooting.
  • Integration with PostgreSQL
    PostGIS extends PostgreSQL, a robust relational database management system, providing powerful geospatial capabilities along with traditional SQL features.
  • Rich Geospatial Functions
    PostGIS offers a comprehensive range of geospatial functions and data types, making it suitable for complex spatial queries and analyses.
  • Cross-platform Support
    Being cross-platform, PostGIS can run on various operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering flexibility in deployment.
  • Active Community and Documentation
    PostGIS benefits from an active user community and extensive documentation, which aids in learning and problem-solving.
  • Scalability
    Built on PostgreSQL, PostGIS inherits its scalability features, which support large datasets and extensive query capabilities.
  • Customization and Extension
    PostGIS's open architecture allows for customization and the development of extensions to meet specific geospatial needs.

Possible disadvantages of PostGIS

  • Complexity
    The setup and maintenance of PostGIS can be complex for users without prior experience in PostgreSQL or geospatial databases.
  • Performance Overhead
    For extremely large datasets and very high-performance needs, the additional geospatial functionality can introduce some performance overhead.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a significant learning curve associated with mastering PostGIS, particularly for users who are not familiar with GIS or SQL.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running intensive geospatial queries can be resource-intensive, requiring significant memory and processing power.
  • Limited Advanced GIS Features
    While PostGIS offers extensive GIS features, it may fall short compared to specialized GIS software for certain advanced spatial analytics or visualization tasks.
  • Dependency on PostgreSQL
    As PostGIS is an extension to PostgreSQL, users are dependent on PostgreSQL updates and limitations, which might not always align with geospatial needs.

Analysis of PostGIS

Overall verdict

  • Yes, PostGIS is highly regarded for its capabilities in managing and analyzing spatial data. It is a powerful tool for those needing advanced spatial functionalities and is often recommended due to its open-source nature and extensive community support.

Why this product is good

  • PostGIS is considered a robust spatial database extender for PostgreSQL, offering extensive support for geographic objects, which enables it to manage and analyze spatial data efficiently. It provides a wide range of functions for spatial queries, including geometry and geography data types, and it supports spatial indexing and topological relationships. Its integration with PostgreSQL ensures reliability, scalability, and performance, making it a popular choice for GIS professionals.

Recommended for

  • Geographic Information System (GIS) professionals
  • Organizations managing spatial databases
  • Developers building applications requiring spatial data processing
  • Environmental scientists and urban planners
  • Businesses needing location-based data analysis

Esri ArcGIS videos

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Add video

PostGIS videos

Como Instalar o PostgreSQL com PostGIS | ALL com GEO

More videos:

  • Review - Paul Ramsey: This Is PostGIS
  • Review - A New Dimension To PostGIS : 3D

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Esri ArcGIS and PostGIS)
Maps
75 75%
25% 25
Mapping And GIS
80 80%
20% 20
Database Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Web Mapping
77 77%
23% 23

User comments

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Reviews

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

Esri ArcGIS Reviews

6 Best GIS Software 2024
On the flip side, utilizing Esri software may necessitate a significant time investment to master its intricate features, and is considered costly when compared to more budget-friendly alternatives. Ultimately, Esri ArcGIS stands as a strong GIS and data visualization ecosystem. Nevertheless, it is essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons to determine if it aligns with...
Source: www.caliper.com

PostGIS Reviews

The Top 10 Alternatives to ArcGIS
For those in the engineering and GIS community, PostGIS is a well-known open source extension for the PostgreSQL database that allows for spatial data to be stored, managed, and queried. The software enables users to conduct complex geospatial analyses and – because it is built on top of the powerful open-source database PostgreSQL – it can handle large datasets with ease....

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, PostGIS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Esri ArcGIS mentions (0)

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

PostGIS mentions (1)

  • Efficient Distance Querying in MySQL
    This is an interesting article about strategies to use when traditional indexes just won't do, but for the love of the index please use MySQL's (or postgres' or sqlite's) built in spatial index for this particular class of problems. It will does this sort of thing much, much more efficiently than 99% of in house solutions. https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.0/en/spatial-types.html... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

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Sequel Pro - MySQL database management for Mac OS X

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.

DataGrip - Tool for SQL and databases