Maps & Navigation · head to head
OSRM vs Esri ArcGIS
OSRM
Maps & Navigation
High-performance open-source routing engine designed for OpenStreetMap data, providing fast route calculations
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Esri ArcGIS
Maps & Navigation
Geographic Information System Platform
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: OSRM free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier; Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
- They diverge on capability: OSRM covers Core Functionality, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OSRM and Esri ArcGIS actually diverge.
| Attribute | OSRM | 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 (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 OSRM
- 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.
OSRM
No use cases recorded yet. See the OSRM review.
Esri ArcGIS
- Geospatial mapping and spatial analysisnot OSRM
- Enterprise data governance and managementnot OSRM
- Real-time field data collectionnot OSRM
- AI-assisted geospatial analysisnot OSRM
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
OSRM
- Free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier
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
OSRM
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the OSRM 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 OSRM or Esri ArcGIS better?
- Neither clearly leads. OSRM 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, OSRM or Esri ArcGIS?
- OSRM starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request.
- Does OSRM or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
- OSRM runs on Web. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
- What can OSRM do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
- OSRM covers Core Functionality, User Interface. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations.