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Software · head to head

HERE Technologies vs Esri ArcGIS

HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Software

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Esri ArcGIS logo

Esri ArcGIS

Software

Geographic Information System Platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HERE Technologies has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale; Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
  • They diverge on capability: HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HERE Technologies and Esri ArcGIS actually diverge.

Attributes where HERE Technologies and Esri ArcGIS differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesEsri ArcGIS
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformWeb, Mobile (field apps), Desktop
Founded19851969

Identical on both: 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 HERE Technologies

  • 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.

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot Esri ArcGIS

Esri ArcGIS

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

Where each one falls short

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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

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

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose HERE Technologies if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
  • You also want user interface.
HERE Technologies 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 HERE Technologies or Esri ArcGIS better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies starts at Free and Esri ArcGIS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HERE Technologies or Esri ArcGIS?
HERE Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HERE Technologies and On request for Esri ArcGIS.
Does HERE Technologies or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Yes. HERE Technologies has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Esri ArcGIS starts at On request.
What is HERE Technologies best used for?
HERE Technologies is most often used for map data for automated and assisted driving, connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis, supply chain planning and logistics digital twins, geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location services. Of those, map data for automated and assisted driving and connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis are not what Esri ArcGIS is typically brought in for.
What can HERE Technologies do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
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Related pages

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