# Page 9 | ArcGIS Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 9 - Is ArcGIS the right GIS solution for you? Explore 503 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/reviews --- ArcGIS 4.6 (503) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/93333/ArcGIS/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Page 9 - Reviews of ArcGIS ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 201-225 of 503 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Chelsea U. Senior Associate Information Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best in class for spatial analytics" January 24, 2019 4.0 Pros When it comes to spatial analysis and map-creation, other tools like Tableau, Google MyMaps or QGIS (the free version of ArcGIS) can't really compare. In particular, it is huge to be able to add many different layers (spatial data files) that you can turn on or off or manage the order in which they appear. For example, in planning where to put a new business you may want to see public transit stations, population demographics, cultural points of interest, etc. While Google MyMaps also lets you add layers, there is a limit of 10. ArcGIS also allows you to perform spatial calculations such as seeing how many bus stations fall within a certain radius of your proposed location. Cons ArcGIS is expensive and there is no desktop version for mac. Review Source Marialcira B. Administrativo Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "The most complete of the geographic information systems " March 21, 2018 5.0 I made thematic maps in the distribution network of inputs in the field of the electoral cadastre. Pros It is the best system to develop a spatial analysis study, it has a large number of modules that allow the development of almost all the available methods of spatial analysis, besides it has automatic modification of texts and vectors that adjust to the work scale. Cons It is not an intuitive program The handling of the layers and the process of editing the vectors can be complicated, the module for georeferencing is quite complex and difficult to use. Review Source Stephen Olawale J. ARCHITECT Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A UNIQUE TOWN-PLANNING TOOL" April 28, 2020 5.0 ARCGIS is a very useful tool for me, I have used it throughout my university days and till now, it is the best for mapping, it has all the necessary tools to input geographical information systems of locations data to be mapped out or draw, I ones used AutoCAD but since I started using ARCGIS I got the best result. Pros it is the best I have ever used for detailed GIS mapping presentations for urban redesigns and development, with the various sophisticated tools, and ones you have learnt how to use it, you will get the best out of it. Cons New users might need to learn how to use it, and application is expensive, though it really worth the price, but ones you learn how to use it, and you know exactly what you want out of this application, then this application will give you the very best. Review Source NEEMA K. Environmentalist Environmental Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Expensive but Worth it " May 6, 2021 4.0 I loved ArcGIS in comparison with the alternate free version that is QGIS. ArcGIS gave me that geospatial expert vybe and made my mapping process seem fancy. However, I can't afford the software for my convenience. Pros \- Arc GIS stood out for me due to her great visual representation of raster data and hence allowing one to easily manipulate and analyze the data - I love the fact that one is able to save maps in diverse formats - It allows you to publish your maps online as soon as you are done working on it - Arc GIS comes with published literature that acts as a guide and practicing instrument especially for beginners Cons \- The price of Arc GIS software is over the top, especially for someone like me who uses it occasionally. - The most frustrating attribute of the Arc GIS software was the fact that my laptop crashed a lot! the worst part is that it would crash through a process that was so difficult to get and follow up and I'd have to start again. - the Arc GIS software is detailed and full of numerous steps making the whole process a bit discouraging Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Geographer Higher Education Used the software for: 2+ years ### "ArcGIS review" November 20, 2022 4.0 Pros The most impactful features are basemap layers and data visualization. The product is easy to use when you are used to using it . Cons Interoperability falls short when it comes to adopting uncommon formats.License levels only provide a few basic tools. Review Source AK Arun K. Researcher Higher Education Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Leader in Geospatial Analysis" November 30, 2020 5.0 I am satified with ArcGIS performance, I have used it extensively for spatial analysis and hydrological analysis. Pros ArcGIS is the undisputed leader in geospatial analysis and research. I like the interface and analyst tools. ArcGIS is also fast and reliable. Cons ArcGIS is prone to crashes and does not do a good job explaining the errors. Often the crash is a result of low memory, but this is not fully identified by the software. Review Source LM Luciano M. Student Civil Engineering Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "ArcGIS review" December 16, 2022 5.0 Overall, it was a good experience and I would use it again in the future Pros I used this software for both emergency management and freight logistics. It worked very well in both cases Cons I found transferring data from other software into this one and vice versa to be difficult and frustrating at times, it is also unfortunate that ArcGIS online is limited compared to ArcGIS Pro Review Source William T. Cartographer Higher Education Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Terrific Software" August 8, 2019 5.0 Pros Very effective at getting the job done. It presents data, especially maps when plotted, in impressive quality. Cons It takes a while in loading, on later versions. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Epidemiologist I Health, Wellness and Fitness Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Best Mapping tool" June 23, 2020 5.0 My overall experience has been amazing so far and I would definitlry recommend this tool over any other. Pros Besides the data management, the main feature I like about this software is the clarity of the output. Cons I think its the best tool that I have came across so far, however I do have to say this, it takes alot of time to process the data Review Source SR Sara R. Student Environmental Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Everyone uses ArcGIS" November 20, 2019 5.0 I use ArcGIS mostly to solve environmental problems, but I have used it to make great maps and in other industries as well. Pros I love the fact that ArcGIS is getting very common throughout multiple industries. You can do so much with this software, and are only limited by your data and your imagination. Cons Customer service is terrible. They will not help you figure out how to do something (better to just google it and play around until you figure it out). Also, downloading and licensing this software is the biggest pain! It usually takes me half a day just to figure out how to get it on a computer, then usually end up calling customer service because a single computer has multiple licenses (total waste of money) and therefore we have run out of licenses.... Review Source Licex D. Especialista en Recursos Humanos Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Excellent tool for enviromental and vegetation analysis" March 21, 2018 5.0 A perfect GIS for enviromental issues Pros It is awesome very powerful I can manage shapefiles and raster images easily and both at the same time, I can vectorize over the images and highlight specific types of vegetation using satellite images, I can also manage the bands of the image and highlight specific features like water, urban areas and crops, once I finish I can analyze all the information through tables and maps. Cons It is very expensive, you cannot have a license on your own, Sometimes the process of statistical measure in the images takes a lot of time, and you need a very powerful computer to use it, because it consume so many resources of your machine. Review Source YM Yezid M. Network and Servers Administrator Used the software for: 2+ years ### "This software is used for our team of geophysicists and I give support" April 28, 2018 4.0 Pros very powerful program for managing geographic data, is used daily in the company to obtain data in the area of geophysics. Generates reliable results about a particular place Cons This program generates a headache because the processing cost is very high. The cost of licenses can also be mentioned here, it does not have a basic version for basic works without you having to pay a license Review Source MK Mandy K. Environmental Engineer Environmental Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Very Versatile with a Steep Learning Curve" April 22, 2021 5.0 I enjoy using ArcGIS a lot, once you understand the software and know what you’re doing it’s a very powerful tool. Pros What I like about ArcGIS is how versatile it is. We use ArcGIS for many functionalities, the main one being figure and map creation. Cons ArcGIS has a steep learning curve and each organization is different in how it uses it, once you understand what you’re doing the possibilities are endless though. Review Source GC Gharorlt C. Lider Computer Software Used the software for: I used a free trial ### "ArcGIS" October 27, 2022 5.0 Su relación precio / funcionalidad es muy elevado. Existen otros software más económicos y hasta gratuitos que permiten realizar los mismos trabajos. Pros Todas las características son buenas y funcionales Cons Si alto costo para realizar el más sencillos de los proyectos. Existen software más económicos y que hacen la misma tarea y hasta más eficientes Switched from [QGIS](https://www.capterra.com/p/185949/QGIS/) Al principio pensé sería una buena alternativa, al comparar precio utilidad cambié de opinión Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Plan checker/Survey assistant Oil & Energy Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best software for GIS" April 1, 2018 5.0 Pros Probably the only program we ever use for spatial analysis and cartographic data. It is easy to use, and user friendly. It is customizable, it has the option to import shape files and to match with existing files, and create a wide range of maps. Cons For large maps it becomes very slow or sometimes freezes. The user needs proper training to learn how to use all its features. Review Source DN Derek N. Remote Sensing Scientist Environmental Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "ArcGIS - From Bad to Worse" July 6, 2017 1.0 Other people use it, so I have to. Seriously, this software will turn your hair grey. Cons I've been using Arcgis for years. It's gone from BAD to WORSE. Probably the slowest, buggiest, most unreliable piece of software out there. What other software locks itself out of it's own maps? Corrupts it's own shapefiles? Takes 10's of minutes to open a single tiny map? etc. Arcgis is like playing a bad round of golf everyday. Yeah there are a few moments that play out ok, but most of the time you'll be cursing at the monitor and wondering how this company is still in business. Review Source JS Jeremiah S. Project Engineer Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Only full features GIS Application Available Today" October 29, 2019 5.0 Used all throughout academics and now using in professional settings. Unavoidable in certain industries and the sole provider of enterprise GIS applications. Pros The features that are available in ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap with extensions and/or third-party additions Cons The cost. Mainly the yearly subscription model and the high cost of extensions such as spatial analyst toolkit is too high for small businesses. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Senior Consultant Environmental Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A Must in the Environmental/Remedial Consulting Industry" December 7, 2018 5.0 Pros In the environmental consulting industry, ARCGIS is essential to tracking/mapping various subsurface plumes. Specifically, I like that I can take information gathered in the field and directly integrate the data precisely into a mapped figure with accurate coordination. It is also great for storing information regarding stack parameters, subsurface sampling data, etc, onto an aerial image of the project site, where one can click and pull up the desired information. Cons The only con is that with any complex program, it takes some time to learn the “ins and outs” of all of its functions and it took awhile to grasp all of its functionality. Otherwise, I have no complaints. Review Source Xiomara Elena B. PROFESIONAL 1 Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "The perfect combination between GIS and CAD" March 13, 2018 5.0 Pros In this software I can manage my CAD files and vinculated with coordinates, and this a big help when you are working in open spaces, or in cities. In ArcGIS I can use my CAD like it was an shapefile, I can georreferencing, edit, adjust to satellite and LIDAR images and so on, this software is so powerful and the best one in the market for work with CAD and shapefiles combined. Cons In the beginning for me was a little difficult because I have to used use it, because the GIS are another software far away from the CAD, all the files needs coordinates system, georreferencing and attributes, and I did not know anytthing about that. Review Source Jorge C. Director Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Set of applications created for the design, publication and printing of geographic information" April 4, 2018 4.0 Pros When we talk about the term "people census" for a study of the geographical sample, we know that we will handle a large amount of data and to process it we will need this application Cons After generating a lot of information if you do not know how to give an interaction and a friendly appearance to your maps, it will probably take a longer time than usual to load Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Freelance Media Producer Broadcast Media Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great for mapping" January 21, 2019 5.0 Pros An excellent way to present a collection of data points gathered from the field of work. I used it to map invasive species in Forest Park. Others could see exactly where in the park certain items were located and how to control them (used a notes features to add details). Also each species has its own symbology. Just another useful feature. Cons ArcGIS takes a while to get used to. Extra training is needed to understand each of the functions and how to use them properly. Review Source DC Derek C. Owner Environmental Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "ArcGIS" June 13, 2019 5.0 We have had a great experience with ArcGIS and all other ERSI software. Pros ArcGIS is the best program we have found of its type. We use it for underground utility mapping. Combined with the mobile app, there's nothing better out there! Cons A few times our online maps have went offline for some reason or another, however support was always able to get them fixed for us. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer GIS Intern Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "The best in GIS" December 29, 2018 5.0 Pros The best software for GIS professionals or people who need software to create and share maps. The new ArcGIS Pro has a UI makeover which makes it look similar to Microsoft programs like Word or Excel. There are useful add-ons like ArcCollector where you can use a mobile app to collect data and then send maps back to ArcGIS on your computer. Cons Older versions (e.g. using ArcMap instead of ArcGIS Pro) contain menus that aren't organized in the best way. Review Source GD Gm D. KTF Health, Wellness and Fitness Used the software for: 2+ years ### "ArcGIS is the orginal mapping software and can do it all" March 10, 2023 5.0 ArcGIS is a powerful mapping tool that can handle lots of data and delivers excellent report-worthy maps Pros It's the easiest way to visualise data by geography and the options allow you to customise the maps to suit your organisation and ensure that you stick to best practice in terms of colour schemes etc. Cons When we first used ArcGIS there weren't many alternatives out there but things have changed and although I still think ArcGIS delivers the best features, I can see how some would opt for cheaper alternatives. Review Source SBA Setegn Bayabil A. University Lecturer Research Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Review GIS" January 11, 2023 5.0 For presenting data in my research. Pros I like this software for its special features of analyzing spacial data using graph. Cons It needs specific data and somewhat it is not easy for beginners. Review Source Similar Products Featured