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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Nominatim vs Esri ArcGIS

Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps & Navigation

Open-source geocoding tool for OpenStreetMap data, providing address search and reverse geocoding capabilities

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Esri ArcGIS logo

Esri ArcGIS

Maps & Navigation

Geographic Information System Platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second; Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
  • They diverge on capability: Nominatim covers Core Functionality, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Nominatim and Esri ArcGIS differ
AttributeNominatimEsri ArcGIS
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile (field apps), Desktop
FoundedUnknown1969

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).

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 Nominatim

  • 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.

Nominatim

  • Geocoding addresses to coordinates from OpenStreetMap datanot Esri ArcGIS
  • Reverse geocoding coordinates to a place namenot Esri ArcGIS
  • Self hosting a geocoder over an OSM extractnot Esri ArcGIS

Esri ArcGIS

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

Where each one falls short

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

Nominatim

  • The public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second
  • Bulk geocoding must run in a single thread and cannot be distributed across machines
  • Scripts running longer than a day or on a schedule are limited to 4 requests per minute
  • Autocomplete search against the public API is explicitly prohibited
  • Systematic queries such as grid based reverse lookups and complete data downloads are prohibited
  • Reselling geocoding results or acting as an API intermediary is prohibited
  • Every request must send a valid HTTP Referer or User-Agent identifying the application, and default library headers are rejected
  • Results must be cached client side, and repeated identical queries can lead to blocking
  • Attribution to OpenStreetMap under ODbL must be displayed

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

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Nominatim if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Nominatim 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 Nominatim or Esri ArcGIS better?
Neither clearly leads. Nominatim 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, Nominatim or Esri ArcGIS?
Nominatim starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request.
Does Nominatim or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
Nominatim runs on Web. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
What is Nominatim best used for?
Nominatim is most often used for geocoding addresses to coordinates from openstreetmap data, reverse geocoding coordinates to a place name, self hosting a geocoder over an osm extract. Of those, geocoding addresses to coordinates from openstreetmap data and reverse geocoding coordinates to a place name are not what Esri ArcGIS is typically brought in for.
What can Nominatim do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
Nominatim covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations.
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