--- title: "ArcGIS for Desktop Basic Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about ArcGIS for Desktop Basic Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other GIS products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/119929/ArcGIS-for-Desktop-Basic/" page_type: "product" language: "en" --- # ArcGIS for Desktop Basic Software Review 2026: Features, Reviews, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on August 26, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Pricing](#pricing)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) ArcGIS for Desktop Basic ## What is ArcGIS for Desktop Basic? ArcGIS for Desktop Basic is a geographic information system software for visualizing, managing, creating, and analyzing geographic data. The software allows users to understand geographic context, see spatial relationships, identify patterns, model processes and workflows, create interactive and street maps, view CAD or satellite data, and generate reports and charts. ## What is ArcGIS for Desktop Basic used for? [GIS](https://www.capterra.com/gis-software/) Overall rating Based on 2 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive \- Neutral \- Negative \- Starting price $995 Flat Rate, One Time Free trial not available Free version not included Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for ArcGIS for Desktop Basic?[Manage this product listing](https://www.g2.com/products/tractbuilder/claim_requests/new?auto=true) ## ArcGIS for Desktop Basic Overview Updated August 2026 AI summary ArcGIS for Desktop Basic enables organizations of all sizes to create, edit, and manage geographic maps and spatial data within a Windows environment. Designed for businesses using GIS software, it provides essential mapping capabilities for visualizing and analyzing geographic information, supporting a range of mapping tasks without advanced or specialized extensions. ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### ArcGIS for Desktop Basic 5.0 (2) VS. [### Google Maps](https://www.capterra.com/p/227511/Google-Maps/) [4.7 (1,851)](https://www.capterra.com/p/227511/Google-Maps/reviews/) Starting Price $995 Flat Rate, One Time Starting Price Contact vendor Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 3.0 (2) Ease Of Use 4.8 (1,771) Value For Money 3.0 (2) Value For Money 4.8 (1,208) Customer Service 3.0 (2) Customer Service 4.3 (1,149) ## ArcGIS for Desktop Basic alternatives [QGIS](https://www.capterra.com/p/185949/QGIS/) [4.5 (100)](https://www.capterra.com/p/185949/QGIS/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 94% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/185949/QGIS/) [Google Earth Pro](https://www.capterra.com/p/248994/Google-Earth-Pro/) [4.7 (97)](https://www.capterra.com/p/248994/Google-Earth-Pro/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 98% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/248994/Google-Earth-Pro/) Highest Rated [PolicyMap](https://www.capterra.com/p/165945/PolicyMap/) [4.8 (53)](https://www.capterra.com/p/165945/PolicyMap/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 100% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/165945/PolicyMap/) [ArcGIS](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/) [4.6 (507)](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 95% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/) ## FAQs about ArcGIS for Desktop Basic Overview ### What company size and specific industries is ArcGIS for Desktop Basic built for? ArcGIS for Desktop Basic is designed for small to large organizations that employ surveyors, cartographers, geographers, and GIS professionals. It fits geospatial, mapping, land surveying, and geographic analysis work across public agencies, consulting firms, utilities, and other businesses that depend on geographic information systems. Features and Usability ### What are the key features of ArcGIS for Desktop Basic? ArcGIS for Desktop Basic includes map creation for building and editing geographic maps. It offers tools for organizing spatial data and creating desktop-based cartographic outputs, with its core feature centered on map creation for basic GIS workflows. Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does ArcGIS for Desktop Basic offer? ArcGIS for Desktop Basic provides chat support. No reviewer feedback about support is available in the catalog data, so user experience details such as response speed or helpfulness cannot be described here. The listed support channel is limited to chat. ## Features AI summary Based on 1,667 GIS reviews Capterra reviewers highlight these as the GIS features buyers focus on most when comparing solutions: - **Data Import/Export** (**52%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Geographic Maps** (**48%**) - **Route Optimization** (**43%**) ArcGIS for Desktop Basic includes other capabilities that reviewers also consider important, such as **Map Creation** (**39%**). This feature helps teams build and customize visual maps for analysis, planning, and communication, providing businesses with a clearer way to present spatial data and support location-based decisions. Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.5 (2) 4.5 Based on 2 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 3.0 (2) Basic $995.00 Flat Rate,One Time Value for money 3.0 (2) 3.0 Based on 2 reviews Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 3.0 (2) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 3.0 (2) 3.0 Based on 2 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 5.0 Based on 2 reviews Filter by rating 5(2) 4(0) 3(0) 2(0) 1(0) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent AN Anonymous User CEO Marketing and Advertising ### "Do what it promise." 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 November 14, 2022 A nice experience, fluid applicatiion, easy user interface, everything going smooth. Pros Efficient, with a good management, it's a really simple SIG application, but it's as clear as every simple user needs. Cons Doesn't have all the features that you can need, but have all the features that are necessary to make a simple work with SIG. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Gharorlt Antonio C. Lider Computer Software ### "ArcGIS vs otros" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 1.0 1.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 1.0 1.0 Likelihood to Recommend 0/10 October 14, 2022 No recomendaría el uso de este programa ya que existen otros más económicos y amigables Pros Diseño, todas las características y funcionalidades para un sistema de información geografica, empecé hace muchos años con ARCGIS y siempre me pareció poco amigable y hay que escribir muchos códigos. Cons Es poco amigable para cualquier usuario. Siempre debes estar buscando la ayuda para saber que función usar, no es tan amigable como otros sistemas de información geografica Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.