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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Esri ArcGIS vs ORBCOMM

Esri ArcGIS logo

Esri ArcGIS

Maps & Navigation

Geographic Information System Platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ORBCOMM logo

ORBCOMM

Maritime & Shipping

IoT solutions for maritime asset tracking

From
$25/month
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; ORBCOMM satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • They diverge on capability: Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Esri ArcGIS and ORBCOMM differ
AttributeEsri ArcGISORBCOMM
Starting priceOn request$25/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Mobile (field apps), DesktopSatellite, Web
CategoryMaps & NavigationMaritime & Shipping
Founded19691995

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 ORBCOMM

  • Satellite tracking
  • Container monitoring
  • Cold chain monitoring
  • Fleet telematics
  • TMS systems
  • ERP platforms
  • Warehouse management
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Esri ArcGIS

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

ORBCOMM

No use cases recorded yet. See the ORBCOMM 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

ORBCOMM

  • Satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • Higher cost per message compared to terrestrial cellular IoT solutions
  • Coverage remains near-global rather than fully global in all remote regions

Pricing, plan by plan

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

ORBCOMM

$25/month
  • Fleet Manager$99/month
    • Real-time tracking
    • Geofencing
    • Reporting

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 ORBCOMM if

  • You need satellite tracking.
  • You work on Satellite, Web.
  • You also want container monitoring.
ORBCOMM review

Questions people ask

Is Esri ArcGIS or ORBCOMM better?
Neither clearly leads. Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and ORBCOMM at $25/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Esri ArcGIS or ORBCOMM?
Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and ORBCOMM at $25/month.
Does Esri ArcGIS or ORBCOMM run on more platforms?
Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop. ORBCOMM runs on Satellite, 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 ORBCOMM is typically brought in for.
What can Esri ArcGIS do that ORBCOMM cannot?
Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations. ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking, Container monitoring, Cold chain monitoring, Fleet telematics. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ORBCOMM: What is ORBCOMM's satellite coverage?

ORBCOMM's OGx service provides nearly global coverage across over 160 countries using a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites for two-way messaging and IoT data services.

Source
ORBCOMM: How does satellite IoT compare to cellular connectivity?

ORBCOMM satellite offers immunity from cellular blind spots, network outages, congestion, and weather-related disruptions. However, satellite connectivity introduces approximately 600 milliseconds of round-trip latency.

Source
ORBCOMM: What can ORBCOMM monitor in containers?

ORBCOMM's CT 1010 device provides sensor-based monitoring for container fire detection, unauthorized access alerts, damage detection, and asset visibility, with real-time satellite-based tracking.

Source
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