Software · head to head
Mapzen vs Esri ArcGIS
Mapzen
Software
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: 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; Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
- They diverge on capability: Mapzen covers Core Functionality, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Mapzen and Esri ArcGIS actually diverge.
| Attribute | Mapzen | Esri ArcGIS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop |
| Founded | Unknown | 1969 |
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 Mapzen
- 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.
Mapzen
No use cases recorded yet. See the Mapzen review.
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Mapzen
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Mapzen review.
Esri ArcGIS
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS 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 Mapzen or Esri ArcGIS better?
- Neither clearly leads. Mapzen 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, Mapzen or Esri ArcGIS?
- Mapzen starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request.
- Does Mapzen or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
- Mapzen runs on Web. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
- What can Mapzen do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
- Mapzen covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations.