ArcGIS Enterprise vs ArcGIS Online

by Gralio May 01, 2025

ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online both provide powerful mapping and analysis tools, but cater to different needs regarding infrastructure and control. Enterprise offers a self-hosted, highly customizable, and secure environment suitable for organizations needing full control over their data and systems. Online delivers a user-friendly, scalable, cloud-based experience focused on ease of use, collaboration, and rapid deployment with lower initial overhead. ArcGIS Enterprise is better for you if... you need complete control over your deployment environment due to security or regulatory requirements, require deep system customization and integration, and have the IT resources to manage the infrastructure. ArcGIS Online is better for you if... you prioritize ease of use, rapid deployment, seamless collaboration features, scalability, and prefer a cloud-based subscription model without managing underlying hardware or software updates.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 253 reviews and 60 websites, saving 1 hour, 54 minutes of reading.

Logo of ArcGIS Enterprise
Logo of ArcGIS Online

About

ArcGIS Enterprise is a system that helps businesses visualize and understand their data through maps and location-based tools. It lets you explore data, see patterns, and make better decisions. This system is particularly helpful for tracking trends, planning strategically, and improving efficiency for any business dealing with location-based information. While particularly robust for larger datasets, ArcGIS Enterprise provides secure, customizable tools to benefit mid-sized companies as well.
ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based mapping and analysis software. It allows you to create interactive maps, analyze data visually, and share location-based insights with colleagues. You can easily integrate your existing data, enhance it with location context, and make better-informed decisions. It's used by businesses of all sizes across various industries, but its strength lies in managing and understanding location-based information.

Summary

Main difference
ArcGIS Enterprise is a self-managed system (on-premises or private cloud) offering maximum control and customization over your geospatial infrastructure and data. ArcGIS Online is a fully cloud-hosted SaaS solution managed by Esri, prioritizing accessibility, collaboration, and ease of use with less administrative overhead.

Relative strengths of ArcGIS Enterprise (compared to ArcGIS Online)

  • Greater Control and Security: You manage the infrastructure, allowing for adherence to strict internal security policies or regulations, which is crucial when handling sensitive customer data.

  • Enhanced Customization and Integration: Offers more potential for tailoring the platform and integrating with other specific enterprise systems beyond standard cloud connections.

  • Robust Data Management for Complex Needs: Designed to handle potentially larger, more complex datasets and specific geoprocessing tasks directly within your controlled environment (though requires adequate hardware).

Relative weaknesses of ArcGIS Enterprise (compared to ArcGIS Online)

  • Higher Total Cost of Ownership: Involves costs for licensing, hardware, setup, and ongoing maintenance by specialized staff, potentially impacting value for money.

  • Increased Complexity and Management Overhead: Requires dedicated IT resources and GIS expertise to install, configure, secure, and maintain the system effectively.

  • Slower Initial Deployment: Setting up and configuring ArcGIS Enterprise takes significantly more time and effort compared to accessing the ready-to-use ArcGIS Online cloud platform.

Who should use ArcGIS Enterprise VS. ArcGIS Online

We find ArcGIS Enterprise shines for medium to large organizations, especially government bodies, that need robust geospatial capabilities. While users praise its powerful analysis and secure data sharing, some note the high cost and steep learning curve. It's a solid choice for teams needing deep location intelligence and map visualization, despite potential setup complexity and the need for specialized skills during setup and maintenance according to user feedback we've seen on review sites like G2 and Glassdoor where the product has received ratings of 4.4/5 and 4.0/5 respectively..

We find ArcGIS Online is a go-to for organizations needing to visualize and share location-based insights. It's a cloud-based tool, making map creation, data analysis, and team collaboration pretty straightforward. Users often praise its ease of use and excellent data sharing capabilities, which helps teams work together effectively, especially when remote. It's particularly strong for those wanting to leverage geographic information for better decision-making without managing complex infrastructure.

  • In our experience, ArcGIS Enterprise is particularly well-suited for medium-sized businesses and excels in large enterprise environments.

  • We observe strong adoption in Government, Non-profit, Transportation, Logistics, and Software/IT sectors requiring advanced geo-data handling.

  • In our experience, ArcGIS Online works well for businesses of all sizes, from small teams to large enterprises needing mapping solutions.

  • We see ArcGIS Online widely used across various industries, proving especially valuable for organizations where location data is key.

ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

  • Scalable SaaS offering
    Not supported

    ArcGIS Enterprise is not a SaaS offering. ArcGIS Online is a scalable SaaS offering.

    Supported

    ArcGIS Online is a scalable SaaS offering, handling increasing demands as your needs evolve.

  • Cloud-based for easy adoption
    Supported

    ArcGIS Enterprise supports cloud deployments on AWS and Azure, reducing setup time and costs.

    Supported

    ArcGIS Online is cloud-based, reducing setup time, costs, and maintenance.

  • Secure Data Management
    Supported

    ArcGIS Enterprise supports secure data management with identity-based security and integrates with existing enterprise security infrastructure.

    Supported

    ArcGIS Online supports secure data management with robust security and compliance measures.

  • Seamless Collaboration
    Supported

    ArcGIS Enterprise supports secure data and map sharing internally and externally for informed decisions.

    Supported

    ArcGIS Online enables secure internal and external sharing of data and maps for enhanced team efficiency.

  • Enhanced Security Measures
    Partially supported

    ArcGIS Enterprise supports enhanced security, including FedRAMP Moderate (via EMCS Advanced Plus). Self-hosting requires additional configuration.

    Supported

    ArcGIS Online offers enhanced security measures, including FedRAMP Moderate authorization and data encryption.

  • Crime analysis for public safety
    Supported

    ArcGIS Enterprise offers tools for crime analysis to improve public safety.

    Partially supported

    ArcGIS Online supports crime analysis via integration with ArcGIS Crime Analysis solution.

Qualities

  • Ease of Use
    No data
    +0.5
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    No data
    +0.33
    Rather positive sentiment

ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative
-1
We couldn't find a pricing page for ArcGIS Enterprise.
No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative
-1
We couldn't find a pricing page for ArcGIS Online.

ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online review insights

253 reviews analysed from

Users love

  • Powerful geospatial tools for data management, analysis, and visualization.
  • Secure and customizable platform for sharing data within organizations.
  • Wide range of applications and integrations with other Esri products.
  • Excellent mapping capabilities and user-friendly interface for creating maps and dashboards.
  • Robust platform for collaboration and sharing data with internal and external partners.
  • Easy to use and user-friendly interface.
  • Excellent for data sharing and collaboration within organizations.
  • Cloud-based accessibility and convenient for remote work.
  • Wide range of available basemaps and data layers.
  • Useful for creating web maps and apps for public outreach and presentations.

Users dislike

  • High cost of licensing, especially for developing countries and advanced features.
  • Complex setup and maintenance, often requiring specialized expertise.
  • Steep learning curve for new users, interface can be overwhelming.
  • Performance can be slow, affected by dataset size and hardware.
  • Limited offline functionality and reliance on internet connectivity for some features.
  • High subscription cost is a recurring complaint.
  • Credit system for data storage and analysis is confusing and limiting.
  • Limited offline functionality.
  • Desktop software (ArcGIS Pro) offers more advanced features.
  • Occasional performance issues and slow loading times.

ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online Ratings

  • G2
    4.4/5
    (66)
  • Glassdoor
    4.0/5
    (1527)
  • G2
    4.5/5
    (187)
  • Glassdoor
    4.0/5
    (1527)

Company health

Employee growth

6% increase in the last year
6% increase in the last year

Web traffic

21% decrease in the last quarter
21% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data
No data

How does each product's data storage model impact scalability needs?

ArcGIS Enterprise typically involves user-managed infrastructure (on-premise or private cloud) for data storage, meaning scalability requires the user to plan, procure, and manage additional hardware and resources as data or usage grows. ArcGIS Online, being a cloud-based SaaS platform, stores data on vendor-managed infrastructure; scalability is largely handled by the vendor, with user needs typically met by adjusting subscription tiers or managing usage credits, simplifying the technical scaling effort but potentially introducing cost or platform-based limitations.

Which product better supports offline data access and analysis for field work?

Based on the provided information, neither ArcGIS Enterprise nor ArcGIS Online appears particularly strong for offline data access and analysis for field work. Both products list "limited offline functionality" under user dislikes. ArcGIS Enterprise users specifically mention a "reliance on internet connectivity for some features," while ArcGIS Online's cloud-based nature and user feedback also point to offline limitations. Therefore, neither product clearly demonstrates superior support for this specific requirement according to the user feedback.

What are the advantages of ArcGIS Enterprise?

ArcGIS Enterprise provides significant advantages through its powerful geospatial tools for comprehensive data management, analysis, and visualization, particularly well-suited for handling larger datasets. It offers a secure and customizable platform, giving medium-to-large organizations and government agencies greater control over their environment and data sharing within the organization. Furthermore, it functions as a robust platform for collaboration and integrates effectively within the broader Esri ecosystem.

What are the disadvantages of ArcGIS Enterprise?

Based on user feedback, the main disadvantages of ArcGIS Enterprise include its high licensing cost, particularly for advanced features or users in developing countries. The system's setup and ongoing maintenance are considered complex, often necessitating specialized technical expertise. Furthermore, new users may find the interface overwhelming and face a steep learning curve. Performance can sometimes be slow, depending on dataset size and hardware specifications, and there are limitations regarding offline functionality, with some features requiring internet connectivity.

Alternatives to ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online

Logo of ArcGIS Pro
ArcGIS Pro
Map, analyze, and visualize location data for deeper insights.
Read more
Logo of ArcGIS Desktop
ArcGIS Desktop
Maps, analyzes, and visualizes location data for deeper understanding.
Read more
Logo of ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online
Map, analyze, and share location data easily.
Read more
Logo of Esri ArcGIS
Esri ArcGIS
Maps location data, reveals hidden patterns, and shares geographic insights.
Read more
Logo of PolicyMap
PolicyMap
Map data insights for smarter decisions across industries.
Read more
Logo of Esri Data/Content
Esri Data/Content
Maps and data to understand our world, geographically.
Read more
Page co-authored by
MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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