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Google Maps Platform vs Esri ArcGIS

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Esri ArcGIS logo

Esri ArcGIS

Software

Geographic Information System Platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete; Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
  • They diverge on capability: Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and Esri ArcGIS differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformEsri ArcGIS
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile (field apps), Desktop
Founded20051969

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 Google Maps Platform

  • 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.

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot Esri ArcGIS
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot Esri ArcGIS

Esri ArcGIS

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

Where each one falls short

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

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Google Maps Platform 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 Google Maps Platform or Esri ArcGIS better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform 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, Google Maps Platform or Esri ArcGIS?
Google Maps Platform starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request.
Does Google Maps Platform or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
Google Maps Platform runs on Web. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
What is Google Maps Platform best used for?
Google Maps Platform is most often used for embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application, route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation, geocoding, place autocomplete and address validation, environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollen. Of those, embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application and route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation are not what Esri ArcGIS is typically brought in for.
What can Google Maps Platform do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations.
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