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Maps · head to head

Bing Maps vs Esri ArcGIS

Bing Maps logo

Bing Maps

Maps

Web mapping services with street maps, aerial imagery, and APIs for developers

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Esri ArcGIS logo

Esri ArcGIS

Maps

Geographic Information System Platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bing Maps bing Maps for Enterprise is deprecated and will be retired by 6/30/2025 for free accounts and 6/30/2028 for enterprise accounts; Esri ArcGIS no specific pricing information published on the product page
  • They diverge on capability: Bing Maps covers Core Functionality, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bing Maps and Esri ArcGIS actually diverge.

Attributes where Bing Maps and Esri ArcGIS differ
AttributeBing MapsEsri ArcGIS
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile (field apps), Desktop
FoundedUnknown1969

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bing Maps

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in Esri ArcGIS

  • Mapping & Visualization
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Data Management
  • Field Operations
  • Real-time Analytics
  • AutoCAD
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Office

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bing Maps

  • Driving directions and turn-by-turn navigation guidancenot Esri ArcGIS
  • Real-time traffic monitoring and road condition updatesnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Commuter route planning with live traffic intelligencenot Esri ArcGIS

Esri ArcGIS

  • Geospatial mapping and spatial analysisnot Bing Maps
  • Enterprise data governance and managementnot Bing Maps
  • Real-time field data collectionnot Bing Maps
  • AI-assisted geospatial analysisnot Bing Maps

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bing Maps

  • Bing Maps for Enterprise is deprecated and will be retired by 6/30/2025 for free accounts and 6/30/2028 for enterprise accounts
  • All implementations must migrate to Azure Maps to avoid service disruption

Esri ArcGIS

  • No specific pricing information published on the product page
  • Customers directed to Esri Store or sales contact to learn about purchasing options
  • Pricing model not disclosed online; requires direct contact with sales

Pricing, plan by plan

Bing Maps

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bing Maps review.

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Bing Maps if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Bing Maps review

Choose Esri ArcGIS if

  • You need mapping & visualization.
  • You work on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
  • You also want spatial analysis.
Esri ArcGIS review

Questions people ask

Is Bing Maps or Esri ArcGIS better?
Neither clearly leads. Bing Maps starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bing Maps or Esri ArcGIS?
Bing Maps starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request.
Does Bing Maps or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
Bing Maps runs on Web. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
What is Bing Maps best used for?
Bing Maps is most often used for driving directions and turn-by-turn navigation guidance, real-time traffic monitoring and road condition updates, commuter route planning with live traffic intelligence. Of those, driving directions and turn-by-turn navigation guidance and real-time traffic monitoring and road condition updates are not what Esri ArcGIS is typically brought in for.
What can Bing Maps do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
Bing Maps covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bing Maps: What happened to Bing Maps for Enterprise?

Bing Maps for Enterprise is deprecated and will be retired. Free account customers can continue using the service until 6/30/2025, while enterprise account customers can continue until 6/30/2028. Microsoft recommends migrating implementations to Azure Maps to avoid service disruptions.

Source
Esri ArcGIS: How much does ArcGIS cost?

ArcGIS pricing is not displayed on the main product page. Customers can view self-service options through the Esri Store at https://www.esri.com/en-us/store/overview or contact sales at 1-877-228-1724 for custom enterprise pricing.

Source
Bing Maps: When will Bing Maps for Enterprise be discontinued?

Bing Maps for Enterprise retires 6/30/2025 for free accounts and 6/30/2028 for enterprise accounts. All implementations using Bing Maps for Enterprise REST APIs and SDKs must be updated to use Azure Maps before the retirement dates.

Source
Esri ArcGIS: How do I purchase ArcGIS?

ArcGIS is available through multiple purchasing channels: self-service online ordering through the Esri Store for standard user types and apps, or contact the sales team at 1-877-228-1724 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday-Friday) for enterprise solutions and custom licensing arrangements.

Source
Bing Maps: What should I use instead of Bing Maps?

Microsoft is transitioning customers to Azure Maps, which provides consumption-based pricing with volume-based discounts and pay-only-for-what-you-use cost structure. Azure Maps offers all mapping features without throttling.

Source
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