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About ArcGIS

Web, on-prem and mobile solutions to help businesses with mapping, data management, predictive modeling, geocoding and more.

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Pros:

Arcgis also functions very greatly in that it integrates very well with other software like google earth.

Cons:

ArcGIS is prone to crashes and does not do a good job explaining the errors. Often the crash is a result of low memory, but this is not fully identified by the software.

ArcGIS ratings

Average score

Ease of Use
3.9
Customer Service
4.1
Features
4.6
Value for Money
4.0

Likelihood to recommend

8.4/10

ArcGIS has an overall rating of 4.6 out 5 stars based on 502 user reviews on Capterra.

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HAFIZ USMAN
HAFIZ USMAN
Engineer in US
Verified LinkedIn User
Civil Engineering, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

ArcGIS for your mapping needs.

5.0 3 weeks ago New

Pros:

The tools (especially geoprocessing tools) provide options to users when developing an interactive map.

Cons:

The filling system is not user-friendly.

Brian
Assistant Utilities Director in US
Utilities, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Utility mapping on both the desktop and mobile devices

5.0 4 years ago

Comments: Our mobile workforce has become significantly more efficient due to the ArcGIS platform and the systems that we have built upon its frameworks. ArcGIS has become a core piece of our business and our daily operations, and we continue to increase its use and integration with other systems.

Pros:

ArcGIS continues to evolve as a product as our needs grow as a customer. We are moving away from desktop-based GIS, with nearly all employees now using mobile devices as their primary tool to access our utility mapping data. ArcGIS Online has made this available, and we continue to grow our mobile offerings, though the AGOL platform still allows us numerous areas for us to continue to explore and utilize to improve our field workflows. Numerous samples, test applications, etc. are provided by ESRI to get you started, and since they're the industry leader, there are tons of real-world examples of the software in use that are available to the public.

Cons:

ArcGIS is an enormously complex software platform, with tons of automation and analysis tools available. However online documentation can be difficult to find, and is frequently written in ways that require an in-depth understanding of the systems. Prerequisite setup steps aren't always included in the documentation, instead it's often written with some assumptions in mind. Setups completed by other employees can be difficult to troubleshoot because of these assumptions in the documentation. The robustness of the platform can also lead to additional steps for end users, as they have to work through options that aren't relevent to them, but cannot be hidden from their view. One such example is just the login screen to the AGOL mobile apps causes our users frequent struggles as they can't remember the sequence of steps to get to the organization login. There should be increased administrator options available to simplify/restrict options available to the end user.

Mike
IT Manager in UK
Philanthropy, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

ArcGIS - industry standard, vast featureset and compelling solution

4.0 2 weeks ago New

Comments: Nothing comes as close to providing a complete feature set as ArcGIS. Yes there may be other commercial providers, but they are usually targeted at specific sectors. ArcGIS can literally accomplish it all

Pros:

This is industry standard, vast in scope, and can do pretty much anything in the geospatial space. Don't underestimate how complex the underpinning logic is, however it manages to present relatively complex data manipulation in a relatively easy package targeted at expert of lay person alike.

Cons:

Primarily cost - to achieve a "full" license with a spectrum of functionality will have a significant cost base. You get what you pay for and while there are open source alternatives, they don't present such a complete and compelling package.

Nathan
Nathan
Environmental Scientist in US
Verified LinkedIn User
Civil Engineering, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

I use ArcMap daily, but almost always as a part of my overall editing flow.

2.0 7 years ago

Comments: It makes the start of very pretty maps, sometimes. I almost always generate base layers here, and then export them into illustrator/photoshop to do actual final renders.

Pros:

The styling guides are better than any other options out there - once you can learn to navigate the byzantine menus. I've used QGIS, Globalmapper, AutoCad, and Microstation, and maps just look better in ArcMap than in any others -it's made for creating display mapping. I know that there are other programmatic things you can do, but for my workflow, I use it almost exclusively for building maps for display.

Cons:

The menus are silly that you have to go that far down a rabbit hole, processing is a nightmare (especially with messy geometry), and I used to (until I quit trying altogether) find myself trying a processing task in ArcMap, watching it fail, and then trying it again in GlobalMapper/QGIS and it would do fine. Processing is a very weak point in ArcMap, at least from my perspective.

timothy
Database Administrator in US
Computer Software, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Alternatives Considered:

Excellent mapping software for the patient.

5.0 4 years ago

Comments: After about 100 hours of being hopelessly lost in the menus, import/export functions, and display properties, an average user will probably be able to impress their colleagues with a tidy and professional display of 2-d or 3-d data in a relevant map background, which very few other freeware programs are capable of creating.

Pros:

With enough time and interest, the features available for ArcGIS and ArcGIS Pro are brilliant and all-encompassing. Using raw map datums and a collection of information allows users to expertly display any sort of 2-d grid on any map projection with tons of custom options for audience display.

Cons:

The learning curve is very steep and the complexity of the software is overwhelming to new users. The number of navigable menus and sub-menus in the home screen of the project can be exhausting to figure out without doing everything incorrectly the first time. This is NOT the Microsoft Powerpoint of data display.

Noam
Founder in US
Media Production, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

A Comprehensive Review of ArcGIS:

5.0 2 years ago

Comments: Despite its drawbacks, ArcGIS is an incredibly powerful GIS software that is packed with features and is perfect for both experienced GIS professionals and newcomers alike. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use and its expansive library of tools and features make it an invaluable tool for anyone working with geographic data.

Pros:

Positive Aspect Review: ArcGIS is an incredibly powerful, user-friendly GIS software that has been around for decades. It is packed with features, such as mapping, analysis, data visualization, and much more. It is also very easy to use and is perfect for both experienced GIS professionals and newcomers alike.

Cons:

However, ArcGIS can be quite expensive, and its steep learning curve may discourage some users. Additionally, its user interface can be quite complex and unintuitive at times.

Dave
Dave
Information Technology Systems Administrator in US
Utilities, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Alternatives Considered:

ArcGIS Suite - Extremely Powerful

5.0 5 years ago

Comments: Our field crews and engineering staff couldn't function without it. Out utilities assets with all of their attributes are on our digital maps. On it we document structures attributes, condition over time, maintenance schedules, and even hyperlink photo and video inspections to each asset. Invaluable information no further away than a click of a button, no matter where in our world that you are!

Pros:

Extremely powerful software with a tool for just about anything you could think of to do with geographic data. "Smart Maps". Objects given geographic location and attributes of any kind that you want running in the background.

Cons:

ELA agreement is extremely reasonable but for a private individual it could be cost prohibitive. I believe they are working on a different license model for home users but would have to check on it.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Information Technology & Services, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

Alternatives Considered:

Review based a decades usage

5.0 last year

Comments: Exceptional

Pros:

Wonderful interface, speed and ease of usage, useful and we'll designed tools. A strong userbase and Community resources.

Cons:

Supports windows only. If the desktop platform made available to Linux OS users it can be more reachable to world.

Bintang
Bintang
Graduate Trainee in Indonesia
Verified LinkedIn User
Mining & Metals, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Alternatives Considered:

The Function and Facilty Tools of Arcgis

5.0 4 years ago

Comments: These software has allowed me to undestand the concept of geostatistical analysist.
And also these software has allowed me to achieve my degree in bachelor of mining engineering.Such help like layouting map, analysis out put contour and another geospatial analysis.

Pros:

Tool geostatistical, geospatial analysis

Cons:

There in few of module to learning tools

Mahmut Halil
Mahmut Halil
Researcher in UK
Verified LinkedIn User
Renewables & Environment, Self Employed
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Must seen software if you have a GIS related work.

4.0 3 weeks ago New

Comments: It is useful for editing a map of anything you need. You can also create your own featured map with layers. Also, you can download files online to use.

Pros:

Implementing layers and maps from online resources is user-friendly.

Cons:

ArcGIS software works slowly in Windows. Especially, when a map is loaded it takes time to zoom in or out.

venkatasivaram
GIS QA SPECIALIST in India
Verified LinkedIn User
Civil Engineering, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

GIS and what are the benefits of ARCGIS-ESRI suite of Tools

5.0 5 years ago

Comments: Amazing Worked for companies in India, USA, then back for Government clients in India, Oman, Dubai, europe and likewise. All the best with your search for a good GIS software.

Pros:

ESRI, Thank you since 1980s, ESRI has been a terrific performer, in Geospatial, Geotechnical, Geology, Government, Utilities, Transportation and Logistics, IT enablement. 1. ESRI is a high-end solutions and capabilities provider, their software can handle all kinds of requirements in LBS, Spatial Statistics, Data mining with GIS, Market Research with GIS, Geodatabases and likewise. 2. Pros in Information Technology world are primarily ArcPy, GIS consulting solutions for IT companies, main competitors Hexgon, General electric and others like IDRSI, ERDAS, SICAD, Transcad, Open gis platforms like Quantum GIS are weak and not customer specific. 3. Return on Investment, ROI from ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox, ArcLogistics and solutions is good. Customization is excellent, their data models and work is exemplary in GIS world. 4. Licensing for Govt, Utilities, others is pricy as one would expect, but what can one do, customer support is good. Licensing is a major con. 5. GIS from ESRI-America is the dream for the Geographers, Engineers and other geospatial professionals to work with. ESRI internships all around the world. Also, it is used by Planners, Urban etc.

Cons:

Major Con: 1. ESRI is offering startups a free licensing for using it for GIS startups for one year. not enough. 2. Major con is license and training cost for young graduates around the world.

Alka
Geospatial Information Specialist in US
Telecommunications, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Impactful for geospatial operations and cartography

5.0 4 years ago

Comments: Overall experience has been great- as I have been using this software for more than 2 years now. It is one of the leading software in the GIS industry as of today and is surely going to reach heights with its new feature releases every year. Comes really handy for both coders and non- coders as it has its own built in python modules and packages which can be used inside ( through built in tools/ python window) or outside the app using independent python IDEs.

Pros:

Wide variety of tools available for spatial analysis and mapping - with minimum fuss as help is available for each tool. They also have a variety of license options available which can be customized based on your needs.

Cons:

Customer service is only available if you have maintenance license (with ArcGIS desktop)- that needs to be renewed each year. It makes the overall cost of the software high, making it difficult for small to medium businesses to have this at their disposal.

Jayaprakash
Town Planner in Sri Lanka
Architecture & Planning, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

One-spot software platform for all the geo spatial dolutions

5.0 3 years ago

Comments: As a enterprise user of the ArcGIS for more than 6 years, i would recommend this product for enterprise level professional geo-spatial mapping and analysis tasks

Pros:

Both Desktop and browser based ARCGIS software platform enable GIS users to create, edit, visualize, analyse and share their spatial contents effectively. Especially , recent versions of ArcGIS desktop versions (10.5 and above) consist of several spatial and statistical analysis tools which can simplyfy the spatial mapping and analysis in an easy manner. ArcGIS online is a web based solution for spatial mapping which contain almost all the features available in the desktop versions and it is great option for performing the tasks without installing any sofware.

Cons:

Great features of the ArcGIS comes with considerable amount of cost. Cost is the only drawback in using this software

Russel
Russel
GIS Specialist in US
Verified LinkedIn User
Oil & Energy, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Expensive, But Extremely Useful

4.0 5 years ago

Comments: I am able to export database information from my other oil and gas lease tracking software, manipulate that data, and create informative maps so that the decision-makers have an easier job. It really does make life easier for everyone.

Pros:

Easy and fairly quick to make a map. It's also great at fine-tuning details in your maps. I've never found it necessary to use a third-party software to make a map that looks professional. Of course, GIS is not only about making maps. It's also about manipulating the data behind the maps. ArcGIS is very good, and gives you most of the tools that you need to get the job done.

Cons:

The software is expensive, maybe prohibitively expensive for a small company. When the company decides to overhaul the software, it almost seems to ignore current users by completely redoing everything, including current workflows. ESRI is currently trying to get users to migrate to ArcGIS Pro, which is very different from the current full-featured software, ArcMap.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Civil Engineering, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

ArcGIS the best

5.0 4 years ago

Comments: ArcGIS can use to setup boundaries for rainfall catchments. So that it helps to run rainfall-runoff models and predict whether flood can occur or not. So that, ArcGIS plays a major role as a supporting software for hydrological modeling softwares like HEC-HMS & Mike 11.

Pros:

ArcGIS is one of the best software that most civil engineers used atleast once in their life. It can easily download from internet. ArcGIS having user friendly interface wich beginner also easily handle the software too. Best thing about it is we can setup catchment boundaries of any specific area by easily using Digital Elevation Map(DEM). Using this we can easily get information about ground elevation, soil type of the area and much more information about the specific area that we concern about.

Cons:

ArcGIS uses some amount of storage usage within the computer. Also it use some memory in the computer too. Also to setup boundaries, you must aware about the software quiet extent.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Civil Engineering, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

ArcGIS the best

5.0 4 years ago

Comments: As a summary, I can surely say that ArcGIS is one of the best software which helps me a lot in my research works. ArcGIS involves with hydraulic modeling softwares to make sure excellent model optimization. I really love this software and highly recommend to anyone without any hesitation.

Pros:

ArcGIS is one of the best software in digital elevation modeling section. The best thing about ArcGIS is that this it is most popular software in civil engineering field, we can easily watch YouTube videos and get basic knowledge about the software if we are a new user too. Catchment delineation can easily done by this software which helps in hydrological modeling. Also this software having very user friendly interface too. This helps me a lot while operating with the software.

Cons:

ArcGIS needs considerable amount of memory and storage space to function properly. So that if we haven’t modern pc, we can feel some uncomfortable.

Elena K.
Elena K.
GEOGRAFO in Venezuela
Verified LinkedIn User
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Geographic information system that allows me to spatialize all the information you need.

4.0 6 years ago

Comments: Is the most complete geographic information system, since it allows you to work from the process of vectorization, creation of databases and the realization of high-quality map products

Pros:

Is the program of daily use to perform the spatialization of the different variables with which I work daily, allows me to vectorize, generate base and thematic maps, associate databases with different vector elements either points, polygons or lines. Generate soil profiles, determination of topography. Account as a wide range of tools that facilitate the work of location, location and geographical elements. The outputs can be digital or paper.

Cons:

It requires constant updating of the program because otherwise some tools start to generate conflict. It is a program with high costs. New users must go through training processes since understanding the program is not so simple, if you have never had interaction with them.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Environmental Services, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Not just a simple tool

5.0 6 years ago

Comments: Upon gaining a good knowledge of the software, the ability to transform data into information that is usable and intelligent makes ArcGIS not just a tool but a tool that transforms information in new ways and illustrates such information in a logical and intelligent manner.

Pros:

Illustrates geographical data on a platform that not only provides a simple map but also allows for the creation of information in a dynamic way for all sorts of purposes. Multiple sources of information can be utilised to create meaningful information for a specific outcome. It is a tool that creates new tools to expand data into information that can be manipulated and transformed continuously.

Cons:

It can be expensive, however, the functionality of the software and its use within the company does mitigate the costs as to reasonably priced. Otherwise, not much to complain about as it is a software that is above the rest.

Greysi N.
Greysi N.
Profesional de Proyectos de Investigación in Venezuela
Verified LinkedIn User
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

The most complete GIS tool

4.0 6 years ago

Pros:

ArcGIS by Esri has a great reputation and experience in the GIS software market, for which it has great competitiveness to position itself as the main option for computerized geographic analysis. Impeccable reporting, advanced statistical tools and effective handling of large amounts of vector or raster data make it simply the best.

Cons:

Personally, I believe that the cost and high hardware requirements of ArcGIS limit individual entrepreneurs willing to give their start in a second level analysis. However, it is important to highlight that for these cases there are several free access softwares with powerful analysis tools that, despite not having the complete and integrated analysis of ArcGIS, can satisfy certain advanced needs. On the other hand, investing in this software represents a strength to be on the tip of the iceberg, since the response time and the depth of the analysis can be much more favorable for the client.

Andrea Margarita
Professor in Colombia
Verified LinkedIn User
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

A key and necessary tool if you handle spatial data

4.0 5 years ago

Comments: The most useful tool for my work is the network analyst. I do research in transportation and the options of VRP or Facility Location have made things easier for me. Another feature to highlight is that you can use python to customize some features

Pros:

Spatial data management is very broad, you can manipulate, analyze, calculate or create information. It has numerous tools that you can use either in the database or directly in the shapefile. Esri has an active community so it is easy to find solutions, especially in the first steps with the program. It also offers courses and depending on your license they can be quite cheap or even free. You can create and export professional, clean and attractive maps, perfect for publications. In terms of spatial info processing, you can do anything you need. With ArcGIS, you only need to search a little.

Cons:

ArcGIS is a very broad and complete program, although it seems like an advantage, sometimes it becomes difficult to handle all its powerful functionalities. Even when you have basic knowledge of GIS, you should always be consulting forums, tutorials, and documentation, which takes time. But in the end, it's worth it. The biggest drawback is the price. There are a couple of programs with features very similar to ArcGIS that are open source. In fact, I have colleagues who have migrated to these programs because they don't have the money to buy the ArcGIS license. However, if your institution has the purchasing power, it will be a great choice.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Higher Education, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Powerful and Endless Capabilities

5.0 6 years ago

Comments: I recommend ArcGIS for field biologists. This is a powerful software for collecting data in the field even without service. Create customized data forms with upload to Collector and sync with your phone. Drop the clipboard and endless hours of data entry. When you are done collecting in the field sync back, edit, and export your data to excel if desired.

Pros:

ArcGIS is a very powerful software with a preset of tools. It does take some training and playing around to learn the setup and how the tools work. I love that the capabilities is endless. Remember simpler the better. If you can't do something with one of their tools you can often find commands online or write your own script.

Cons:

There is a lack of function when you have media attachments to a set of data/table. For example, if you have a set of points with photo attachments there was no way to export the photos for File Manager with custom name or association to the points. It should at least be titles by the Object ID # instead it was a random name given by the initial phone. You also cannot export multiples photos. But the good New is I was able to write a script to make it all work for me.

Rajeeb
Rajeeb
Electrical Engineer in Qatar
Verified LinkedIn User
Construction, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Best Software for Project As-built updating and Viewing the Record data

5.0 2 years ago

Comments: The software is really helping my team to updating the as built data out infrastructure project.

Pros:

The software is really helpful for my team to update the as built data to the existing utilizes. The software is very helpful in tracing a and locating the route of utility structures form the pre recoded data available. The software is helping to import and export Geodata very easily. It is possible to view all attributes of the recorded utilities . If a multiple utility is available in location it is possible to hide one and view the other one which we require.

Cons:

The Importing of data is a little bit complex

Juan
Especialista de Sistemas SharePoint in Venezuela
Verified LinkedIn User
, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Participate in a software development project with the use of arcgis

5.0 6 years ago

Comments: For a client, an application was developed that allowed the use of the map to point customers and with this information it could be analyzed and be able to make strategic decisions, through the maps you can know quantities of specific customers in a certain area, if they are clients. that have the same characteristics, typify them by themes, etc.

Pros:

Arcgis is a very powerful mapping tool, through it we can create an entire infrastructure for the management of maps, pointing objects within them, manipulate and / or customize them, you can perform data analysis of the present information in the maps. If you want to go further and create an application that feeds or uses the map, it is possible to do this through the SDK, with which you can manipulate the information and process the data for its use, for example dotting clients, dotting oil wells, etc, any object that is useful for the end user, There is an online version, which presents several benefits for the creation of maps as well as sharing the same.

Cons:

The version that is installed on the servers requires an infrastructure that is robust and large enough to support the processing of the same. It requires acquiring some technical skills to be able to administer the platform

Christa
Graduate Researcher in Kenya
Higher Education, Self Employed
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

ArcGIS Review

5.0 2 years ago

Comments: Amazing Software!

Pros:

ArcGIS is the to-go software for all your mapping needs. I have run geoprocessing projects using ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Online, and the latest ArcGIS Pro. There are various unique features you can use ArcGIS to get the best results possible for your project. These include data collection, data management, remote sensing, geocoding, spatial analysis, spatial statistics, mapping, visualization in 3D, and cartographical work, to name but a few. It's super friendly for both beginners and pros.

Cons:

Even though the software is not open source and may not be affordable to an individual, you could acquire its license through organizational affiliation and enjoy its excellent capabilities.

LEWIS
LEWIS
urban planner in Kenya
Verified LinkedIn User
Architecture & Planning, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Best tool for planners

5.0 3 years ago

Comments: Efficient and reliable

Pros:

The fact that planners can use it to do variety of analysis including transportational analysis,geographical analysis,economic analysis,built form analysis among many others with the software makes it the most convinient tool in possession of urban planners and designers

Cons:

The complexity of the software especially for newbies makes it a little challenging but with various tutorials installed in the software it enables them to catch up and be able to utilize the software.