Link copied to clipboard # ArcGIS Online vs QGIS Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/arcgis-online/qgis/export.csv) ArcGIS OnlineQGIS[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **ArcGIS Online** No pricing available **QGIS** **$0.00** · Basic **Pricing Insights** from reviews Perceived Cost **ArcGIS Online** $$$$$ **QGIS** $$$$$ Average Discount **ArcGIS Online** 13% **QGIS** Not enough reviews yet Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience. See it for free Time to Implement **ArcGIS Online** 6 months Based on 100 responses **QGIS** 6 months Based on 100 responses Return on Investment **ArcGIS Online** 6 months Based on 100 responses **QGIS** 6 months Based on 100 responses **Pros & Cons** from reviews **ArcGIS Online** Ease of Use (4) Feature Functionality (2) Expensive (1) Expensive Subscription (1) **QGIS** Customization Options (3) Ease of Use (2) Stability Issues (3) Feature Limitations (2) Integrations **ArcGIS Online** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_24c032ed27a51ab5494e151b719bb17c/arcgis-survey123.png "Product Avatar Image") ArcGIS Survey123 ](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-survey123/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/integrations) **QGIS** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_2631a7c2a323727ff8d56a2d368189bd/grass.png "Product Avatar Image") GRASS ](https://www.g2.com/products/grass/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/integrations) Screenshots **ArcGIS Online** ![ArcGIS Online 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/94893/Philadelphia-Poverty.jpg) **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 Online** **8.7** /10 Based on 136 responses **QGIS** **8.6** /10 Based on 130 responses Ease of Use **ArcGIS Online** **8.4** /10 Based on 136 responses **QGIS** **8.1** /10 Based on 130 responses Ease of Setup **ArcGIS Online** **8.4** /10 Based on 59 responses **QGIS** **8.8** /10 Based on 33 responses Ease of Admin **ArcGIS Online** **7.9** /10 Based on 57 responses **QGIS** **8.5** /10 Based on 18 responses Quality of Support **ArcGIS Online** **8.4** /10 Based on 129 responses **QGIS** **7.5** /10 Based on 107 responses Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **ArcGIS Online** **8.6** /10 Based on 56 responses **QGIS** **8.7** /10 Based on 20 responses Product Direction (% positive) **ArcGIS Online** **8.8** /10 Based on 135 responses **QGIS** **8.9** /10 Based on 124 responses **Features** ratings from reviews GIS **8.4** /10 Based on 66 responses **8.7** /10 Based on 64 responses Location Intelligence **8.8** /10 Based on 33 responses Not enough data User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 29.7% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 38.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 32.0% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 29.7% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 38.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 32.0% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 44.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 27.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 27.7% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 44.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 27.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 27.7% **Reviewers' Industry** [![ArcGIS Online](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_07a308622193f886da508e9dd849b6dc/arcgis-online.png "ArcGIS Online")](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) ArcGIS Online Government Administration 20.0% Information Technology and Services 6.9% Civil Engineering 6.3% Environmental Services 5.7% Utilities 5.7% Other 55.4% [![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% Alternatives **ArcGIS Online Alternatives** ![CARTO](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/cee17717b1b316da8feb204c2a7a8845/carto.svg "CARTO") [ CARTO ](/products/carto/reviews) ![Mapbox](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/bd02626401775e68ffe83b8dd7556273/mapbox.svg "Mapbox") [ Mapbox ](/products/mapbox/reviews) ![MapInfo Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8c279bac466618e81ea062684c2ee69a/mapinfo-pro.jpg "MapInfo Pro") [ MapInfo Pro ](/products/mapinfo-pro/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) **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 Pro](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d58a6d97495b7a506d6d8307a19bc6d5/arcgis-pro.svg "ArcGIS Pro") [ ArcGIS Pro ](/products/arcgis-pro/reviews) ## ArcGIS Online vs QGIS FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between QGIS vs ArcGIS Online? QGIS is an open-source, highly customizable desktop GIS platform, while ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based GIS solution with a focus on ease of use and collaboration. | [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) | [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.5/5 (154 reviews) | 4.5/5 (190 reviews) | | Small-Business | Mid-Market | | 8.8 | 8.4 | | 7.5 | 8.4 | | Customization Options (3 all-time mentions) | Ease of Use (4 all-time mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of QGIS and ArcGIS Online compare? QGIS is considered the stronger value due to its open-source, free access, while ArcGIS Online receives lower satisfaction on price. - **QGIS:** Reviewers consistently highlight free access and open-source flexibility as major value drivers. - **ArcGIS Online:** In recent reviews, many cite high subscription costs and credit-based pricing as drawbacks, especially for small businesses. - **Switching Reason:** Several reviewers mention switching from ArcGIS to QGIS to avoid expensive licensing fees. ### What are the best alternatives to QGIS and ArcGIS Online? The best alternatives to QGIS and ArcGIS Online are CARTO, AutoCAD, and Esri ArcGIS. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) | 4.5/5 (154) | Small-Business | Free and open-source | Customization Options | | [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) | 4.5/5 (190) | Mid-Market | Subscription-based, higher cost | Ease of Use | | [CARTO](https://www.g2.com/products/carto/reviews) | 4.5/5 (78) | Small-Business | — | Data visualization and mapping | | [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1940) | Small-Business | — | Precision design and drafting | | [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) | 4.5/5 (540) | Mid-Market | — | Comprehensive GIS capabilities | ### Which GIS features should I prioritize when comparing QGIS and ArcGIS Online? Buyers should prioritize spatial analysis, ease of use, integration capabilities, customization options, and support quality when comparing QGIS and ArcGIS Online. - **Spatial Analysis:** QGIS (Geospatial Analysis, 1 all-time mention); ArcGIS Online (Powerful Tools, 1 all-time mention) - **Ease of Use:** QGIS (Ease of Use, 2 all-time mentions, score 8.1); ArcGIS Online (Ease of Use, 4 all-time mentions, score 8.4) - **Integration Capabilities:** QGIS (Python integration, 12 all-time mentions); ArcGIS Online (integration with ArcGIS Pro and Field Maps, recent reviews) - **Customization Options:** QGIS (Customization Options, 3 all-time mentions); ArcGIS Online (—) - **Support Quality:** QGIS (Quality of Support score 7.5); ArcGIS Online (Quality of Support score 8.4) ### What are the pros and cons of QGIS vs ArcGIS Online? QGIS's headline strength is its open-source flexibility and customization, while ArcGIS Online's is its ease of use and cloud-based collaboration. - **QGIS strengths:** Free access (2 all-time mentions), customization options (3), feature functionality (2), user-friendly interface (2), strong community support, easy integration (1), geospatial analysis (1). - **QGIS trade-offs:** Stability issues (3), feature limitations (2), learning curve (2), slow loading (2), less polished UI, occasional bugs. - **ArcGIS Online strengths:** Ease of use (4), feature functionality (2), collaboration (1), data management (1), user interface (1), time-saving (1), easy implementation (1). - **ArcGIS Online trade-offs:** Expensive subscription (1), high system requirements (1), learning curve (1), occasional poor customer support (1), time delays (1). ### Is QGIS or ArcGIS Online better for small businesses? QGIS is better suited for small businesses, as reflected by its largest reviewer segment and strong value sentiment. - **QGIS:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently highlight free access and cost-effectiveness for small organizations. - **ArcGIS Online:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; recent reviews note higher costs and credit-based pricing as barriers for small businesses. ### Which GIS platform has better integrations? QGIS is favored for integrations due to its extensive Python integration support. - **QGIS:** Python integration (12 all-time mentions), PostgreSQL integration (recent reviews). - **ArcGIS Online:** Integration with ArcGIS Pro and Field Maps (recent reviews). ### How do QGIS and ArcGIS Online compare on customer support? ArcGIS Online scores higher on Quality of Support, with a 0.9-point advantage over QGIS. - **QGIS:** Reviewers note strong community support but mention slower response times and reliance on forums. - **ArcGIS Online:** Reviewers highlight responsive support, helpful resources, and dedicated customer service, though some mention delays and reliance on community forums. ### Which is easier to implement, QGIS or ArcGIS Online? QGIS and ArcGIS Online are at parity on Ease of Setup, with scores within 0.4 points of each other. - **QGIS:** Reviewers describe a straightforward installation process, with no licensing required and easy setup for most users. - **ArcGIS Online:** Reviewers highlight the ease of getting started via a web browser, with no software installation needed, but note a learning curve for advanced features. ### Which product has better Spatial Analysis? Both QGIS and ArcGIS Online are highly rated for Spatial Analysis, with strong reviewer sentiment and feature mentions for each. - **QGIS:** Meets Requirements score 8.6; Geospatial Analysis (1 all-time mention); reviewers highlight advanced spatial analysis tools and plugin support. - **ArcGIS Online:** Meets Requirements score 8.7; Powerful Tools (1 all-time mention); reviewers cite robust spatial analysis capabilities and ease of performing analysis in the cloud. ## ArcGIS Online vs QGIS When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found ArcGIS Online easier to use. However, QGIS is easier to set up and administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with QGIS overall. - Reviewers felt that ArcGIS Online meets the needs of their business better than QGIS. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that ArcGIS Online is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of QGIS over ArcGIS Online.