ArcGIS Online vs QGIS vs MAPublisher Comparison
ArcGIS Online
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Freelancers / Consultants
ArcGIS Online from Esri is a most powerful, flexible and easiest-to-use location intelligence platform in the market today. Using ArcGIS Online for ArcGIS Cloud, ArcGIS for Server, or a combination of the two allows to s…
QGIS
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
QGIS is a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) that runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, and Windows. No matter what continent on or which GIS software user uses at work, QGIS has much to offer in commo…
MAPublisher
Starting at $1,499 Fixed License
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
With MAPublisher's comprehensive set of desktop mapping and cartography tools, it is possible to manage and control map layers with ease. Not only that, but users can also view nearby map attributes, customize each theme…
ArcGIS Online leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 557 reviews.
ArcGIS Online vs QGIS vs MAPublisher — at a glance
| Feature | ArcGIS Online | QGIS | MAPublisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 | — |
| Reviews | 557 | 151 | — |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing | $1,499 Fixed License |
| Free trial | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Geographic Information System Software | Geographic Information System Software | Geographic Information System Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | — | — |
| Data residency | Global | Global | Global |
Key differences between ArcGIS Online and QGIS
- Free trial: ArcGIS Online offers a free trial; QGIS does not.
- Target audience: ArcGIS Online is built for Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants, while QGIS targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: ArcGIS Online scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
- Deployment: ArcGIS Online supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows; QGIS supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare ArcGIS Online vs QGIS vs MAPublisher — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Geographic Information System Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best cloud-based GIS platform for complex spatial analysis and field collaboration.
- You need seamless integration of mapping and analysis tools in a cloud environment
- Your team requires access to diverse global datasets and workflow-specific GIS apps
- Field survey teams need strong mobility features to enhance on-site productivity
- You are a small business with limited budget due to high subscription costs
- You require simple, beginner-friendly GIS tools or advanced geoprocessing capabilities
Best open-source GIS for flexible, advanced spatial analysis and plugin integration.
- You need a cost-effective GIS with extensive plugin support and customization.
- Your team includes GIS analysts or environmental scientists requiring powerful geoprocessing tools.
- You want cross-platform compatibility across Linux, Mac OSX, Windows, and Unix systems.
- You require polished, out-of-the-box templates and streamlined workflows for rapid deployment.
- Your organization depends heavily on extensive customer support and formal training resources.
Best for detailed desktop cartography with advanced layer and style control.
- You need precise map styling and selection filters for complex cartography.
- Your team consists of GIS analysts, cartographers, or urban planners.
- You prefer a one-time license without reliance on cloud or real-time features.
- Your organization requires cloud-based GIS collaboration tools.
- You need real-time data integration and live map updates.
ArcGIS Online: Best cloud-based GIS platform for complex spatial analysis and field collaboration. QGIS: Best open-source GIS for flexible, advanced spatial analysis and plugin integration.
Description | ArcGIS Online from Esri is a most powerful, flexible and easiest-to-use location intelligence platform in the market today. Using ArcGIS Online for ArcGIS Cloud, ArcGIS for Server, or a ... Read More about ArcGIS Online | QGIS is a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) that runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, and Windows. No matter what continent on or which GIS software user uses at work, ... Read More about QGIS | With MAPublisher's comprehensive set of desktop mapping and cartography tools, it is possible to manage and control map layers with ease. Not only that, but users can also view nearby map ... Read More about MAPublisher |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 51-500 employees500+ employees | Small BusinessMedium Business | Small BusinessLarge Enterprises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |  QGIS has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do ArcGIS Online, QGIS and MAPublisher Compare on Features?
Total Features | 11 Features | 7 Features | 7 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare ArcGIS Online, QGIS and MAPublisher on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — | — |
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HIPAA | ✓ Yes | — | — |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — | — |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
ArcGIS Online vs QGIS User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | ||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights powerful integration and mobility features, tempered by concerns over cost and complexity for new users. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights QGIS as a powerful, user-friendly open-source GIS tool with some areas needing improvement in templates and advanced feature usability. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Insufficient public user reviews to determine overall sentiment. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  8 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos | No videos available. |  1 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, ArcGIS Online or QGIS?
- ArcGIS Online edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do ArcGIS Online and QGIS offer a free trial?
- ArcGIS Online offers a free trial. QGIS does not.
- What is the starting price of ArcGIS Online vs QGIS?
- ArcGIS Online starts at Contact for pricing. QGIS starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to ArcGIS Online?
- Top alternatives to ArcGIS Online include CARTO, eSpatial, Maptitude, vMAP, Esri ArcGIS.
- What are the top alternatives to QGIS?
- Top alternatives to QGIS include eSpatial, ArcGIS Online, Mango, vMAP, Esri ArcGIS.