Maps & Navigation · head to head
Esri ArcGIS vs Mapzen
Esri ArcGIS
Maps & Navigation
Geographic Information System Platform
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Mapzen
Maps & Navigation
Mapzen was an open-source mapping platform that provided geocoding, routing, and map rendering services
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence; Mapzen the vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service
- They diverge on capability: Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Mapzen covers Core Functionality.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Esri ArcGIS and Mapzen actually diverge.
| Attribute | Esri ArcGIS | Mapzen |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | quote | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop | Web |
| Founded | 1969 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).
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 Mapzen
- 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 Mapzen
- Enterprise data governance and managementnot Mapzen
- Real-time field data collectionnot Mapzen
- AI-assisted geospatial analysisnot Mapzen
Mapzen
No use cases recorded yet. See the Mapzen review.
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
Mapzen
- The vendor's own pricing page as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2018 priced its mobility APIs on a free tier plus overage model: Turn-by-Turn navigation free for the first 5,000 requests per month then 50 cents per additional 1,000 requests, and Isochrone and Optimized Route each free for the first 100 requests per month then $1.50 per additional 1,000 requests; Mapzen shut down as a project in 2018 shortly after this capture and this pricing no longer applies to any live service
Pricing, plan by plan
Esri ArcGIS
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.
Mapzen
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Mapzen 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.
Questions people ask
- Is Esri ArcGIS or Mapzen better?
- Neither clearly leads. Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and Mapzen at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Esri ArcGIS or Mapzen?
- Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and Mapzen at On request.
- Does Esri ArcGIS or Mapzen run on more platforms?
- Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop. Mapzen runs on Web.
- 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 Mapzen is typically brought in for.
- What can Esri ArcGIS do that Mapzen cannot?
- Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations. Mapzen covers Core Functionality, User Interface.