Softwr

Software · head to head

Esri ArcGIS vs LocationIQ

Esri ArcGIS logo

Esri ArcGIS

Software

Geographic Information System Platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LocationIQ logo

LocationIQ

Software

Enterprise-grade location APIs at affordable prices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence; LocationIQ smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps
  • They diverge on capability: Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, LocationIQ covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Esri ArcGIS and LocationIQ actually diverge.

Attributes where Esri ArcGIS and LocationIQ differ
AttributeEsri ArcGISLocationIQ
Pricing modelquotefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Mobile (field apps), DesktopAPI
Founded1969Unknown

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

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 Esri ArcGIS

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

Only in LocationIQ

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

Esri ArcGIS

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

LocationIQ

  • Geocoding and reverse geocoding addresses at scalenot Esri ArcGIS
  • Store locators and address autofill in web and mobile appsnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Asset and vehicle tracking with route optimisationnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Serving static and dynamic map tilesnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Distance matrix and route planningnot Esri ArcGIS

Where each one falls short

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

Esri ArcGIS

  • ArcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
  • Field and offline workflows require advanced capabilities; basic plans may lack offline synchronisation
  • Pricing details not published; customers must contact sales for quotes

LocationIQ

  • Smaller ecosystem of integrations compared to Google Maps
  • Less documentation than industry-leading platforms
  • Less brand recognition than Google or Mapbox

Pricing, plan by plan

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

LocationIQ

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the LocationIQ review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Esri ArcGIS if

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

Choose LocationIQ if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You work on API.
  • You also want user interface.
LocationIQ review

Questions people ask

Is Esri ArcGIS or LocationIQ better?
Neither clearly leads. Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and LocationIQ at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Esri ArcGIS or LocationIQ?
Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and LocationIQ at On request.
Does Esri ArcGIS or LocationIQ run on more platforms?
Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop. LocationIQ runs on API.
What is Esri ArcGIS best used for?
Esri ArcGIS is most often used for geospatial mapping and spatial analysis, enterprise data governance and management, real-time field data collection, ai-assisted geospatial analysis. Of those, geospatial mapping and spatial analysis and enterprise data governance and management are not what LocationIQ is typically brought in for.
What can Esri ArcGIS do that LocationIQ cannot?
Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations. LocationIQ covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LocationIQ: How much cheaper is LocationIQ than Google Maps?

At 100,000 requests per month, LocationIQ costs $49 whereas Google Maps charges $500 and Mapbox charges $75.

Source
LocationIQ: What is LocationIQ's free tier?

LocationIQ offers a free tier with 5,000 requests per day. Paid plans start at $49/month for the Geocoding Lite plan.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Esri ArcGIS

More on LocationIQ

Keep looking

Other head to heads