Link copied to clipboard # ArcGIS Earth vs QGIS Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/arcgis-earth/qgis/export.csv) ArcGIS EarthQGIS[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **ArcGIS Earth** No pricing available **QGIS** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **ArcGIS Earth** Not enough reviews yet **QGIS** Not enough reviews yet Return on Investment **ArcGIS Earth** Not enough reviews yet **QGIS** Not enough reviews yet Perceived Cost **ArcGIS Earth** $$$$$ **QGIS** $$$$$ Average Discount **ArcGIS Earth** Not enough reviews yet **QGIS** Not enough reviews yet **Pros & Cons** from reviews **ArcGIS Earth** Not enough data **QGIS** [ Customization Options (3) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2241286&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Ease of Use (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2241234&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Stability Issues (3) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2163982&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Feature Limitations (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2163895&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **ArcGIS Earth** Not enough data **QGIS** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_269a752fb4baefda8b9e83f98c7646dc/autocad.png "Product Avatar Image") AutoCAD ](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_251be2af3ae607c45c14e816eaa1cf41/postgresql.png "Product Avatar Image") PostgreSQL ](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_242ea9ef146ec0359ea99dbaedc5e26a/revit.png "Product Avatar Image") Revit ](https://www.g2.com/products/revit/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/integrations) Screenshots **ArcGIS Earth** No screenshot available **QGIS** ![QGIS screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/28239/uploads_2Fa236414a-a6b3-4c3c-8bc8-17a5240d472a_2FQGIS_screenshot.png) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **ArcGIS Earth** 8.9 8.923 **QGIS** 8.6 8.6130 Ease of Use **ArcGIS Earth** 8.3 8.323 **QGIS** 8.1 8.1130 Ease of Setup **ArcGIS Earth** 8.8 8.87 **QGIS** 8.8 8.833 Ease of Admin **ArcGIS Earth** 8.8 8.87 **QGIS** 8.5 8.518 Quality of Support **ArcGIS Earth** 8.7 8.719 **QGIS** 7.5 7.5107 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **ArcGIS Earth** 8.0 8.05 **QGIS** 8.7 8.720 Product Direction (% positive) **ArcGIS Earth** 9.5 9.524 **QGIS** 8.9 8.9124 **Features** ratings from reviews GIS[Hide 40 FeaturesShow 40 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.8 13 8.7 64 Data Management Data Capture 8.6 13 9.1(won by 0.5) 54 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) Data Storage 8.1 13 8.5(won by 0.4) 52 Data Manipulation 8.7 13 8.8(won by 0.1) 56 Data Visualization 9.2(won by 0.4) 13 8.8 56 Data Capture and Transfer Not enough data Not enough data Map Creation Geocoding 8.3 11 8.7(won by 0.4) 48 Buffer Zone Query 8.9(won by 0.3) 11 8.6 48 Overlaying 9.2(won by 0.1) 12 9.1 55 Publishing 9.2(won by 0.8) 11 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.4 46 Analysis Spatial Analysis 9.3(won by 0.4) 12 8.9 55 Reporting 9.0(won by 0.5) 12 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.5 51 Real-Time Streaming 7.9(won by 0.1) 11 7.8 34 Trend Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Statistical Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Additional Functionality Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Reporting & Statistics Not enough data Not enough data Color Codes/Icons Not enough data Not enough data Map Creation Not enough data Not enough data Geographic Maps Not enough data Not enough data Location Tracking Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Internet Mapping Not enough data Not enough data API Not enough data Not enough data Map Sharing Not enough data Not enough data Third-Party Integrations Not enough data Not enough data Interoperability Not enough data Not enough data Reporting/Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Image Management Not enough data Not enough data Activity Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data Geotargeting Not enough data Not enough data Labeling Not enough data Not enough data Data Collection Not enough data Not enough data Route Optimization Not enough data Not enough data Geolocation Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Data Import/Export Not enough data Not enough data Multi-Location Not enough data Not enough data Census Data Integration Not enough data Not enough data 3D Imaging Not enough data Not enough data Data Mapping Not enough data Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![ArcGIS Earth](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_4ea933e5e8bfa240b2617f5914ccad66/arcgis-earth.jpg "ArcGIS Earth")](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-earth/reviews) ArcGIS Earth Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 42.9% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 50.0% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 7.1% [![QGIS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_e3c229ccb96c84f6564f5681ddbe1a33/qgis.png "QGIS")](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) QGIS Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 44.9% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 27.9% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 27.2% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 42.9% 44.9% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 50.0% 27.9% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 7.1% 27.2% Reviewers' Industry [![ArcGIS Earth](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_4ea933e5e8bfa240b2617f5914ccad66/arcgis-earth.jpg "ArcGIS Earth")](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-earth/reviews) ArcGIS Earth Government Administration 25.0% Architecture & Planning 10.7% Civil Engineering 10.7% Construction 7.1% Accounting 3.6% Other 42.9% [![QGIS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_e3c229ccb96c84f6564f5681ddbe1a33/qgis.png "QGIS")](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) QGIS Civil Engineering 11.6% Information Technology and Services 11.0% Government Administration 9.6% Research 9.6% Environmental Services 8.2% Other 50.0% FAQs ## ArcGIS Earth vs QGIS FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 16, 2026 ### What is the difference between QGIS vs ArcGIS Earth? QGIS stands out for its open-source flexibility and customization, while ArcGIS Earth is recognized for its user-friendly 3D visualization and higher support satisfaction. | [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) | [ArcGIS Earth](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-earth/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.5/5 (154 reviews) | 4.3/5 (29 reviews) | | Small-Business | Mid-Market | | 8.8 | 8.8 | | 7.5 | 8.7 | | Customization Options (3 all-time mentions) | User-friendly 3D visualization | ### How do the pricing models of QGIS and ArcGIS Earth compare? QGIS is considered the stronger value due to its free, open-source model, while ArcGIS Earth receives lower satisfaction on price and cost. - **QGIS:** Reviewers consistently highlight QGIS as free and open-source, offering robust GIS capabilities without licensing costs. - **ArcGIS Earth:** Recent reviews note ArcGIS Earth as expensive, with several reviewers mentioning high license fees as a drawback. - **Switching Reason:** Reviewers mention switching to QGIS to avoid expensive licensing and to access advanced GIS features at no cost. ### What are the best alternatives to QGIS and ArcGIS Earth? Google Earth Pro, AutoCAD, and Esri ArcGIS are the top three alternatives to QGIS and ArcGIS Earth. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) | 4.5/5 (154 reviews) | Small-Business | Free and open-source | Customization Options (3 all-time mentions) | | [ArcGIS Earth](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-earth/reviews) | 4.3/5 (29 reviews) | Mid-Market | Expensive license fee | User-friendly 3D visualization | | [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) | 4.6/5 (385 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Easy-to-use mapping and visualization | | [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1940 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Industry-standard CAD and mapping tools | | [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) | 4.5/5 (540 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Comprehensive GIS platform | ### Which GIS features should I prioritize when comparing QGIS and ArcGIS Earth? Buyers should prioritize customization, 3D visualization, integration capabilities, support quality, and ease of use when comparing QGIS and ArcGIS Earth. - **Customization:** QGIS has 3 all-time mentions for customization options, while ArcGIS Earth does not have reviewer-cited customization strengths. - **3D Visualization:** ArcGIS Earth is frequently cited for user-friendly 3D visualization, while QGIS reviewers note limited 3D capabilities as a trade-off. - **Integration Capabilities:** QGIS is noted for Python integration (12 all-time mentions) and PostgreSQL integration, while ArcGIS Earth reviewers mention compatibility with Python but fewer integration specifics. - **Support Quality:** ArcGIS Earth scores 8.7 on Quality of Support, compared to QGIS at 7.5. - **Ease of Use:** ArcGIS Earth scores 8.3 on Ease of Use, slightly higher than QGIS at 8.1. ### What are the pros and cons of QGIS vs ArcGIS Earth? QGIS is strongest for open-source customization and plugin flexibility, while ArcGIS Earth excels in user-friendly 3D visualization and higher support satisfaction. - **QGIS strengths:** Customization options (3 all-time mentions), free access (2), feature functionality (2), user-friendly for advanced users (2), strong community support, and plugin extensibility. - **QGIS trade-offs:** Stability issues (3 all-time mentions), learning curve (2), slow loading (2), limited 3D capabilities, and less polished UI. - **ArcGIS Earth strengths:** User-friendly 3D visualization, accessible for non-GIS users, strong support satisfaction (8.7), and compatibility with Python. - **ArcGIS Earth trade-offs:** Expensive license fee, performance issues with large datasets, and less frequent updates after ArcGIS Pro launch. ### Is QGIS or ArcGIS Earth better for small businesses? QGIS is better suited for small businesses, as reflected by its largest reviewer segment and strong value sentiment. - **QGIS:** Small-Business is the largest segment, with reviewers consistently praising its free, open-source model and cost-effectiveness for small teams. - **ArcGIS Earth:** Mid-Market is the largest segment, and reviewers note high licensing costs as a barrier for small businesses. ### Which GIS platform has better integrations? QGIS is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration options and higher mention counts. - **QGIS:** Python integration (12 all-time mentions), PostgreSQL integration (recent reviews), and plugin ecosystem for extended functionality. - **ArcGIS Earth:** Python compatibility is mentioned in recent reviews, but no additional third-party integrations are cited. ### How do QGIS and ArcGIS Earth compare on customer support? ArcGIS Earth leads QGIS in Quality of Support by a material margin of 1.2 points (8.7 vs 7.5). - **QGIS:** Reviewers note strong community support and helpful resources, but some mention slower technical support and reliance on forums. - **ArcGIS Earth:** Reviewers consistently praise responsive and helpful support, with several citing high satisfaction and quick assistance. ### Which is easier to implement, QGIS or ArcGIS Earth? QGIS and ArcGIS Earth are at parity on Ease of Setup, both scoring 8.8, with similar reviewer experiences. - **QGIS:** Reviewers describe a straightforward setup process, with most citing ease of installation and cross-platform compatibility. - **ArcGIS Earth:** Reviewers highlight easy installation and accessibility, with several noting the setup is user-friendly even for non-GIS users. Alternatives **ArcGIS Earth Alternatives** ![Google Earth Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_1b503776988799afd39b27ecbf029a24/google-earth-pro.png "Google Earth Pro") [ Google Earth Pro ](/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) ![BatchGeo](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/18ade3c7d488f27d74ae457b9bc53ece/batchgeo.svg "BatchGeo") [ BatchGeo ](/products/batchgeo/reviews) ![AutoCAD](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1531166548/autocad.svg "AutoCAD") [ AutoCAD ](/products/autocad/reviews) ![Smarty](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/251a81397d6350006a5839aece7e32b1/smarty-smarty.svg "Smarty") [ Smarty ](/products/smarty-smarty/reviews) **QGIS Alternatives** ![AutoCAD](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1531166548/autocad.svg "AutoCAD") [ AutoCAD ](/products/autocad/reviews) ![Esri ArcGIS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1530900667/esri-arcgis.svg "Esri ArcGIS") [ Esri ArcGIS ](/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) ![Google Earth Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_1b503776988799afd39b27ecbf029a24/google-earth-pro.png "Google Earth Pro") [ Google Earth Pro ](/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) ![ArcGIS Online](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_07a308622193f886da508e9dd849b6dc/arcgis-online.png "ArcGIS Online") [ ArcGIS Online ](/products/arcgis-online/reviews) ## ArcGIS Earth vs QGIS When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found ArcGIS Earth easier to use and administer. However, reviewers felt that QGIS was easier to do business with overall. Finally, reviewers felt that the products are equally easy to set up. - Reviewers felt that ArcGIS Earth meets the needs of their business better than QGIS. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that ArcGIS Earth is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of ArcGIS Earth over QGIS.