ArcGIS vs. QGIS
Product | Rating | Most Used By | Product Summary | Starting Price |
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ArcGIS | N/A | Esri in Redlands, California offers ArcGIS, a geographic information system. | $100 per year | |
QGIS | N/A | QGIS (formerly Quantum GIS) is a free and open source geographic information system. | N/A |
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Entry-level Setup Fee | No setup fee | No setup fee | ||||||||||||||
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ArcGIS | QGIS | |
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Considered Both Products | ArcGIS | QGIS |
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Highlights |
Research Team Insight Published ArcGIS and QGIS are geographical information systems used for mapping census data, traffic data, construction plans, environmental information, and other types of spatial data. ArcGIS is a longstanding product of Esri, while QGIS is a free, open-source project. FeaturesArcGIS and QGIS are both used for mapping spatial data, but they have a few important differences. ArcGIS has been in use for quite a long time, and as such it is well known in spatial data mapping fields. Reviewers say they haven’t found it difficult to locate and hire ArcGIS experts for their projects, which is helpful since ArcGIS is a very robust, full-featured program with a steep learning curve for end users. Data sharing and exporting options make it possible to use ArcGIS for many different types of projects, and ArcGIS provides excellent support for its users, including training. QGIS is the lean and nimble open-source version of ArcGIS. Simpler than ArcGIS, it is perfect for small projects which use less data, and since it’s free, it’s ideal for organizations with leaner budgets. It’s compatible with ArcGIS, however, so QGIS users can still accept and work with ArcGIS-specific files. Like many open-source projects, it has lots of plugins and extensions that can be used to accomplish things the program alone can’t do. LimitationsThough ArcGIS and QGIS provide similar services, each has specific limitations that may inform which one is best for your needs. As the elder statesman of the industry, ArcGIS is prone to the downsides of such a role. It’s complex and fully-featured, so it needs a lot of computer processing power to use properly, the program loads slowly upon opening, and large files take a very long time to save. It’s too complex for simple tasks for the end user, and this complexity is reflected in the price as well. Advanced analytical tools not included in the original software cost extra money. But it should be noted that ArcGIS has an online version that may address and fix many of these issues. QGIS’s limitations are typical of open-source software. Plugins and extensions for tasks QGIS itself can’t do are abundant, but they are not centrally located and can be difficult to find. QGIS is easier to use than ArcGIS, but there’s still a learning curve, and QGIS lacks the official training resources and dedicated support of its rival. And some builds can be unstable or prone to crashing. PricingAs QGIS is open source software, it is free to use. Businesses may reach out to ArcGIS sales for a price quote. |
ArcGIS | QGIS | |
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Small Businesses | Google Maps API Score 8.8 out of 10 | ArcGIS Score 9.0 out of 10 |
Medium-sized Companies | Google Maps API Score 8.8 out of 10 | ArcGIS Score 9.0 out of 10 |
Enterprises | Google Maps API Score 8.8 out of 10 | ArcGIS Score 9.0 out of 10 |
All Alternatives | View all alternatives | View all alternatives |
ArcGIS | QGIS | |
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Likelihood to Recommend | 10.0 (39 ratings) | 9.7 (12 ratings) |
Likelihood to Renew | 8.0 (1 ratings) | - (0 ratings) |
Usability | 10.0 (2 ratings) | 8.0 (1 ratings) |
Support Rating | 9.0 (12 ratings) | 8.0 (2 ratings) |
ArcGIS | QGIS | |
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Likelihood to Recommend | Esri | Open Source |
Pros | Esri | Open Source |
Cons | Esri | Open Source |
Likelihood to Renew | Esri | Open Source No answers on this topic |
Usability | Esri | Open Source |
Support Rating | Esri | Open Source |
Alternatives Considered | Esri | Open Source |
Return on Investment | Esri | Open Source |
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