Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Microsoft SQL VS ArcGIS Pro

Compare Microsoft SQL VS ArcGIS Pro and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Microsoft SQL logo Microsoft SQL

Microsoft SQL is a best in class relational database management software that facilitates the database server to provide you a primary function to store and retrieve data.

ArcGIS Pro logo ArcGIS Pro

Explore ArcGIS Pro resources such as tutorials, videos, documentation, instructor-led classes & more. Find answers, build expertise and connect with the ArcGIS Pro community.
  • Microsoft SQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26
  • ArcGIS Pro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-14

Microsoft SQL features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    SQL Server offers a wide range of features including advanced analytics, in-memory capabilities, robust security measures, and integration services.
  • High Performance
    With in-memory OLTP and support for persistent memory technologies, SQL Server provides high transaction and query performance.
  • Scalability
    SQL Server can scale from small installations on single machines to large, data-intensive applications requiring high throughput and storage.
  • Security
    SQL Server offers advanced security features like encryption, dynamic data masking, and advanced threat protection, ensuring data safety and compliance.
  • Integrations
    It easily integrates with other Microsoft products such as Azure, Power BI, and Active Directory, providing a cohesive ecosystem for enterprise solutions.
  • Developer Friendly
    It supports a wide range of development tools and languages including .NET, Python, Java, and more, making it highly versatile for developers.
  • High Availability
    Features like Always On availability groups and failover clustering provide high availability and disaster recovery options for critical applications.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft SQL

  • Cost
    SQL Server can be expensive, particularly for the Enterprise edition. Licensing costs can add up quickly depending on the features and scale required.
  • Complexity
    Due to its comprehensive feature set, SQL Server can be complex to configure and manage, requiring skilled administrators and developers.
  • Resource Intensive
    SQL Server can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial hardware resources for optimal performance, which can increase overall operational costs.
  • Windows-Centric
    While SQL Server can run on Linux, it is primarily optimized for and tightly integrated with the Windows ecosystem, which may not suit all organizations.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Being a proprietary solution, it can cause vendor lock-in, making it challenging to switch to alternative database systems without significant migration efforts.

ArcGIS Pro features and specs

  • Integrated 2D and 3D capabilities
    ArcGIS Pro allows users to visualize, analyze, and share both 2D and 3D data in a single project, enhancing the comprehensiveness and flexibility of geographic analyses.
  • Advanced analytical tools
    The platform offers a wide range of sophisticated geospatial and statistical analysis tools that can help users derive deeper insights from their data.
  • User-friendly interface
    ArcGIS Pro features a ribbon-based interface similar to Microsoft Office products, which can make the software more intuitive and easier to learn.
  • Seamless integration with ArcGIS Online
    The software is designed to work effortlessly with ArcGIS Online, enabling users to share their maps and data easily in the cloud.
  • Python and R support
    ArcGIS Pro supports automation through Python scripting and can integrate with R, allowing for advanced customizations and data analysis.

Possible disadvantages of ArcGIS Pro

  • High cost
    ArcGIS Pro is subscription-based software with relatively high licensing fees, which may be prohibitive for smaller organizations or individual users.
  • Steep learning curve
    While the interface is user-friendly for those familiar with GIS, new users may face a steep learning curve due to the software's extensive functionality and complexity.
  • Hardware requirements
    The software demands high-performance hardware, including substantial RAM and a powerful GPU, which can be a limitation for users with older or less-capable computers.
  • Limited cross-platform support
    ArcGIS Pro is currently available only for Windows, limiting usability for those who prefer or require other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Dependency on Esri ecosystem
    The software is heavily integrated with other Esri products and services, which can limit flexibility and make it harder to integrate with non-Esri solutions.

Analysis of Microsoft SQL

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Microsoft SQL Server is generally regarded as a good choice for database management, particularly for organizations that require high performance, reliability, and seamless integration with other Microsoft technologies.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft SQL Server is considered a robust database management system because of its comprehensive features such as high scalability, strong security, and excellent integration with other Microsoft products. It provides tools for data mining, warehousing, and analytics, making it a popular choice for enterprises. Additionally, it offers high availability and disaster recovery solutions, and its active community provides extensive support and resources.

Recommended for

  • Enterprises
  • Businesses using Microsoft ecosystems
  • Organizations requiring robust data security
  • Users needing scalability for large datasets
  • Projects needing high availability and disaster recovery

Analysis of ArcGIS Pro

Overall verdict

  • ArcGIS Pro is generally regarded as a highly effective and reliable GIS software. It is suitable for both beginners and advanced users, with a robust set of tools that support a wide range of GIS needs. However, the software's sophistication and complexity might pose a learning curve for new users and it requires a valid license, which might be a consideration for individual users or small organizations.

Why this product is good

  • ArcGIS Pro is considered a powerful tool in the realm of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) due to its comprehensive suite of features that support spatial analysis, data visualization, and geoprocessing. It offers advanced 3D visualization capabilities and seamless integration with other Esri products and services. The ability to automate workflows with Python scripting, extensive support for various data formats, and regular updates making it more efficient and user-friendly are other contributing factors to its positive reputation.

Recommended for

    ArcGIS Pro is best recommended for GIS professionals, urban planners, environmental scientists, and geospatial analysts, who require advanced mapping and spatial analysis capabilities. It's also well-suited for organizations and academic institutions that need a comprehensive GIS solution for research, planning, and decision-making processes.

Microsoft SQL videos

3.1 Microsoft SQL Server Review

More videos:

  • Review - What is Microsoft SQL Server?
  • Review - Querying Microsoft SQL Server (T-SQL) | Udemy Instructor, Phillip Burton [bestseller]

ArcGIS Pro videos

ArcMap vs ArcGIS Pro - Comparing these two GIS applications from Esri

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft SQL and ArcGIS Pro)
Databases
100 100%
0% 0
Maps
0 0%
100% 100
Relational Databases
100 100%
0% 0
Mapping And GIS
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft SQL and ArcGIS Pro. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

Microsoft SQL Reviews

We have no reviews of Microsoft SQL yet.
Be the first one to post

ArcGIS Pro Reviews

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
30 Best GIS Software Applications [Rankings]
ArcGIS Pro modernizes GIS with a ribbon interface, 64-bit processing and 3D integration. It’s a massive overhaul with a focus on quickness, ingenuity and cartography. Even though ArcGIS Pro is a big machine with lots of moving parts, it earns top spot.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft SQL and ArcGIS Pro, you can also consider the following products

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

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.

PostgreSQL - PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system.

Maptitude - Maptitude is a mapping software that is fitted with GIS features that avail maps and other forms of data regarding the surrounding geographical areas. Read more about Maptitude.

SQLite - SQLite Home Page

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