Softwr

Maps & Navigation · head to head

Samsara vs Esri ArcGIS

Samsara logo

Samsara

Maps & Navigation

The connected operations cloud

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: Samsara no price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated; Esri ArcGIS arcGIS Online is cloud-based only; self-hosted deployment requires separate ArcGIS Enterprise licence
  • They diverge on capability: Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking, Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Samsara and Esri ArcGIS differ
AttributeSamsaraEsri ArcGIS
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb, Mobile (field apps), Desktop
Founded20151969

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (quote), 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 Samsara

  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • AI dash cameras
  • ELD compliance
  • IFTA reporting
  • Driver safety coaching
  • Maintenance scheduling
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Route optimization

Only in Esri ArcGIS

  • Mapping & Visualization
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Data Management
  • Field Operations
  • Real-time Analytics
  • AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Office
  • Web support

Both cover

  • SAP

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Samsara

  • Real time GPS tracking of vehicle location and engine healthnot Esri ArcGIS
  • AI dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alertsnot Esri ArcGIS
  • Trailer and powered equipment tracking for asset recoverynot Esri ArcGIS
  • Fleet maintenance planning and fuel usage analysisnot Esri ArcGIS

Esri ArcGIS

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

Where each one falls short

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

Samsara

  • No price is published for any plan; every tier on the plans page offers only a Get pricing button, and no contract length or hardware cost is stated
  • Safety, Telematics and Equipment tracking are sold as separate plan families, so a fleet needing all three buys three plans
  • Weather risk visibility and the 30 plus risk detections with context and patterns require Safety Enterprise rather than Safety Premier
  • AI fuel lifecycle insights, TMS integrations and route performance tools require Telematics Enterprise rather than Telematics Premier
  • Proactive maintenance tools and real time diagnostics for trailers and equipment require Advanced Tracking rather than Standard Visibility

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

Samsara

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Samsara review.

Esri ArcGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Esri ArcGIS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Samsara if

  • You need real-time gps tracking.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want ai dash cameras.
Samsara 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 Samsara or Esri ArcGIS better?
Neither clearly leads. Samsara 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, Samsara or Esri ArcGIS?
Samsara starts at On request and Esri ArcGIS at On request.
Does Samsara or Esri ArcGIS run on more platforms?
Samsara runs on Web, Mobile. Esri ArcGIS runs on Web, Mobile (field apps), Desktop.
What is Samsara best used for?
Samsara is most often used for real time gps tracking of vehicle location and engine health, ai dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alerts, trailer and powered equipment tracking for asset recovery, fleet maintenance planning and fuel usage analysis. Of those, real time gps tracking of vehicle location and engine health and ai dash cameras with in cab driver coaching and safety alerts are not what Esri ArcGIS is typically brought in for.
What can Samsara do that Esri ArcGIS cannot?
Samsara covers Real-time GPS tracking, AI dash cameras, ELD compliance, IFTA reporting. Esri ArcGIS covers Mapping & Visualization, Spatial Analysis, Data Management, Field Operations. Both handle SAP.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Samsara

More on Esri ArcGIS

Keep looking

Other head to heads