ArcGIS Pro and QGIS 3 are two popular Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software packages used by professionals in various industries to analyze, manage, and visualize spatial data. While both software packages have similar functionalities, there are notable differences between them that make one more suitable than the other depending on the user’s needs and project requirements. In this list, we will highlight some of the key differences between ArcGIS Pro and QGIS 3, including differences in user interface, analysis tools, licensing, compatibility, community support, and more.
- User interface: ArcGIS Pro has a more modern and streamlined user interface compared to QGIS 3, which has a more traditional interface.
- Analysis tools: ArcGIS Pro has more advanced geoprocessing and analysis tools, while QGIS 3 has a simpler set of tools.
- 3D visualization: ArcGIS Pro has more advanced 3D visualization capabilities compared to QGIS 3.
- Integration with other software: ArcGIS Pro is designed to work seamlessly with other Esri products, while QGIS 3 has better integration with open-source tools.
- Licensing: ArcGIS Pro requires a license to use, while QGIS 3 is open source and can be used for free.
- Mobile compatibility: ArcGIS Pro has mobile compatibility, allowing users to work on projects on their mobile devices. QGIS 3 does not have this feature.
- Compatible platforms: ArcGIS Pro is a Windows-exclusive software, while QGIS 3 is compatible with multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Integration with other products: ArcGIS Pro is designed to work seamlessly with other Esri products like ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise. QGIS 3, on the other hand, is compatible with different plugins that can be added to enhance its functionality.
- Support and community: ArcGIS Pro offers technical support from Esri, but support for QGIS 3 is provided by an online user community. The QGIS 3 user community is very active and offers a wide variety of online resources, from tutorials to discussion forums and plugins.
- Learning curve: ArcGIS Pro may be more difficult to learn for users new to GIS due to its advanced user interface. On the other hand, QGIS 3 has a simpler user interface and a smoother learning curve.
- Total cost of ownership: The total cost of ownership of ArcGIS Pro may be higher due to licenses and required technical support, while QGIS 3 can be used for free without license cost.
- Online work capabilities: ArcGIS Pro is designed to work seamlessly with ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise, allowing users to work on projects online. QGIS 3 does not have a built-in capability for working online, although there are some plugins available to enable online work.
- Availability of training resources: ArcGIS Pro has a wide variety of training resources, including online courses, tutorials, and detailed documentation. QGIS 3 also has many training resources available, but the quality and quantity may vary.
- Compatibility with databases: ArcGIS Pro is compatible with a wide variety of databases including Oracle, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL, while QGIS 3 has more limited compatibility.
- Scalability: ArcGIS Pro is more scalable and can handle larger and more complex spatial data sets than QGIS 3.
- Language support: ArcGIS Pro has full support for several languages, while QGIS 3 has support for a wide variety of languages but some aspects may not be fully translated.
- User access levels: ArcGIS Pro has more advanced capabilities for managing user access levels and data permissions, while QGIS 3 has more limited options.
- Software updates: ArcGIS Pro receives regular software updates and feature enhancements, while updates to QGIS 3 may be less frequent.
Overall, both ArcGIS Pro and QGIS 3 are powerful and capable GIS systems, and the choice between them will depend on the specific needs of the user and project requirements.