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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Esri ArcGIS vs Waze

Esri ArcGIS logo

Esri ArcGIS

Maps & Navigation

Geographic Information System Platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Waze logo

Waze

Maps & Navigation

Community-driven GPS navigation app that uses real-time traffic data from its users

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; Waze no offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity
  • They diverge on capability: Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Waze covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Esri ArcGIS and Waze differ
AttributeEsri ArcGISWaze
Pricing modelquotefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Mobile (field apps), DesktopiOS, Android, Web
CategoryUnknownMaps & Navigation
Founded19692008

Identical on both: starting price (On request), 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 Waze

  • 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 Waze
  • Enterprise data governance and managementnot Waze
  • Real-time field data collectionnot Waze
  • AI-assisted geospatial analysisnot Waze

Waze

No use cases recorded yet. See the Waze 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

Waze

  • No offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity
  • Routing reliability declined with reports of longer routes and restricted road directions
  • Privacy concerns with location data collection and location-based ads after Google acquisition
  • Stability issues including crashes on CarPlay and slow loading times

Pricing, plan by plan

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

Waze

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Waze 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 Waze if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want user interface.
Waze review

Questions people ask

Is Esri ArcGIS or Waze better?
Neither clearly leads. Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and Waze at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Esri ArcGIS or Waze?
Esri ArcGIS starts at On request and Waze at On request.
Does Esri ArcGIS or Waze run on more platforms?
Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop. Waze runs on iOS, Android, 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 Waze is typically brought in for.
What can Esri ArcGIS do that Waze cannot?
Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations. Waze covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Waze: Does Waze work offline?

No, Waze relies on real-time data and does not support offline maps, limiting usability when without internet connectivity.

Source
Waze: How does Waze handle my location data?

Since Google's 2013 acquisition, Waze shares location history with Google's ad network and serves location-based ads. This differs from privacy-focused alternatives like Apple Maps.

Source
Waze: What platforms can I use Waze on?

Waze is available on iOS and Android mobile apps, and via web through the Live Map feature accessible from any computer or tablet.

Source
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Related pages

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