Top Rated Esri ArcGIS Alternatives
Some of the best features of ArcGIS (32bit flavor - not ArcGIS Pro) are in the cartography and vector editing categories. ArcGIS has good tools to produce quality maps. Some tools include the use of ESRI's "data driven pages", which allow users to tile maps on small pages for large areas with high detail (large scale).
Another nice feature in ArcGIS (only available at the Standard and Advanced license level) is vector editing with topology within a Geodatabase. The topology tools work well and have good tools built into them to allow the user to find topological errors and fix them. Vector topology is an essential tool for ensuring data integrity. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The costs of this software are enormous for the initial purchase price and the subsequent yearly fees for the product. Not having recent quotes, but in the past pricing for Standard and Advanced licensing were $7,000 and $12,000 respectively for initial purchase. Then yearly fees are incurred to get "updates" to the software and tech support. With $1500 and $3000 yearly maintenance fees respectively for Standard and Advanced, the costs per year can rapidly escalate when multiple licenses are purchased. The annual fees are practically mandatory to stay current with the community and client needs.
Proprietary data format of the Geodatabase. The ESRI geodatabase can only be created and written to by ESRI software (Standard and Advanced licenses). This design creates vendor lock-in, such that organizations need ESRI software to access and edit geodatabases. This design enforces sales of the ArcMap software, as ESRI geodatabases demand ESRI software to be fully utilized. This also creates an environment where a few special operators with special software can access the data. This discourages the accessibility and sharing of GIS data information. Being that GIS data is information, and information should be shared, the proprietary data format is an obstacle to creating easily accessible information within an organization and with other organizations.
The performance of ArcMap (32bit) is poor relative to today's computing standards. 32 bit architecture is very outdated and when performing spatial operations, the delay in processing costs users time. Since ArcMap came out and was re-written from scratch in the early 2000s, there have been continual issues with bugs and performance. Fixes to the bugs are slow to be resolved. Sometimes the application hangs up (not responding) for seemingly basic tasks.
Lack of modern algorithms. Example would be the hydrologic routing tools that are from the early 1990s and have not been updated with current modeling features such as Multi-Flow Direction (MFD) modeling of where water flows, and how much accumulation.
Tech support is a paid service along with updates to the software through yearly annual fees. The first level tech support has often left a disappointing feeling, where either the topic was being read directly from the help menu, or the technician kept trying to solve the problem with educated guesses, rather than knowing what the solution is. A substantial amount of time has been lost with tech support at the tier 1 level. The tier 2 level of support is good. The technicians know the products more specifically, and are generally more helpful to resolve the issue.
Some spatial functions are only available in the top tier product (such as identity). This aspect was really frustrating as a user and for an organization. The difference between the Standard and Advanced licensing is about $5,000 (last checked). The interesting thing is that the Basic, Standard and Advanced licenses are all the same product, just with varying levels of provided tools. One such tool is the identity function. This is a commonly overlay function in any GIS, however, ArcMap only provides this simple overlay at the advanced level.
Lack of general interoperability. Over the years, open data standards such as Web Mapping Services (WMS) and Web Feature Services (WFS) have provided open formats to work with GIS data. WFS is designed to allow editing of features over a web protocol, but in order to implement this in ArcMap, $10,000 software needs purchased (ArcGIS for Server). There is currently no way to write to an open database GIS format from ESRI software, without purchasing additional software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
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530 out of 531 Total Reviews for Esri ArcGIS
Overall Review Sentiment for Esri ArcGIS
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It's work with both mode online and offline and 3D visualization is good,best for network designing Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Training required and less compatible with some other tools,costly for small businesses Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The user-friendly interface of ArcGIS, which helps in a lot of fields. Applications like Google Earth, AutoCAD & all the Databases make planning & implementation a lot easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
ArcGIS needs a lot of memory and extra room to work appropriately. So that in case we don't have an updated pc, it can create some issues.
There should be expanded Admin choices accessible to rearrange/limit choices accessible to the end client. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Powerful functionality to do map layers and visualizations, gain insights from geospatial analysis Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Not as user-friendly as other vendors because of the vast options of functionality Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The graet deal of flexibilty to integrate data. Accessed multiple times during the work day, daily users love the maps as a basis to research data/setups/planning. Easy for them to use! Creating maps is pretty stright forward, but requires some time. Linking to software is also pretty easy. Cut and paste... Customer support from ESRI and Brightly is AWESOME! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Not too much on the downside. Perhaps the time to draw maps is pretty chalenging. I suggest starting with a GIS firm and take it from that point! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Ease of use once you know how to use it
Customer support is good. Online forums are extenive and walkthroughs easily found
Extansive features and tools Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Tools are sometimes locked behind higher payment tiers Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
ArcGIS is the de facto standard for GIS software. It allows my business to communicate effectively with maps, which are used by both internal and external stakeholders. We use it every day. ESRI's customer support is excellent, and we were able to integrate it with our other office software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The downside is the cost and also the difficulty in setting up Enterprise to work with our websites and firewall, which required multiple customer support calls. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
In my 20-year journey with Esri ArcGIS, I have come to appreciate its robust and versatile capabilities in geoprocessing and GIS data management. The platform's Geo Databases feature has been particularly useful in handling complex spatial data and maintaining the integrity of the information.
ArcGIS offers a wide array of geoprocessing tools that have proven invaluable in streamlining workflows and enhancing the efficiency of my projects. Its seamless integration with various data formats and sources has allowed me to work with diverse datasets and make informed decisions.
The Geo Databases functionality not only provides an organized way to store and manage spatial data but also ensures data consistency and reliability. This has been vital in maintaining the quality and accuracy of my GIS projects over the years.
In summary, Esri ArcGIS has been an indispensable tool in my geospatial endeavors, and its top-notch geoprocessing and data management capabilities have contributed significantly to my success in the field.
Python, which has allowed me to automate my workflows and improve overall efficiency. The built-in Python scripting support, with ArcPy, makes it possible to create custom geoprocessing tools, perform batch processing, and automate repetitive tasks.
This powerful programming language integration has enabled me to develop and implement advanced geospatial analysis techniques, streamline data processing, and create custom scripts that are tailored to the specific needs of my projects. Additionally, the extensive Python community and available resources have proven invaluable in expanding my knowledge and finding solutions to complex GIS challenges.
The Python integration in Esri ArcGIS has been a game-changer for my GIS work, offering the flexibility to automate tasks and develop custom solutions that elevate the platform's geoprocessing and data management capabilities even further. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
While Esri ArcGIS has been an essential tool for my GIS work over the years, there are a couple of aspects that I find less favorable. My primary concern is the cost associated with using the platform. The licensing fees can be quite steep, especially for small businesses or individual users who might not have the budget to accommodate the expense. This can make it challenging for some users to access the platform's full range of features and capabilities.
Another drawback of Esri ArcGIS is the relatively long learning curve that comes with mastering the software. For new users or those transitioning from other GIS platforms, the sheer number of tools and options can be overwhelming. Additionally, the interface has evolved over time, which may pose challenges for users who are familiar with older versions of the software. While the availability of extensive documentation, tutorials, and online resources can help ease the learning process, it still requires a significant investment of time and effort to become proficient in ArcGIS.
In summary, despite the many advantages offered by Esri ArcGIS, the high cost of entry and steep learning curve can be limiting factors for some users, making it important to weigh the benefits against these drawbacks when considering this platform for GIS work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I have used ArcGIs for many years for spatial analysis. Best part is visualization of all rasters and vector data in one frame that can have google maps in background. Digitizing is very easy. This software can be used to create maps as per requirement that needs to be added in any project report. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Sometimes this system takes too much time to load. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Most helpful is geographical information that is relevant to your business workflows is presented in as simple or complex a way as the user needs. More than just driving directions, our business is shown on the map perfectly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Creating the perfect environment can take some time. You'll need to understand all relevant aspects of your business to know exactly what can be shown on a map in real time. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
