Geographical Information Systems Explained
GIS Software Comparison
When choosing your GIS software, being either a GIS specialist or organisation needing a complete GIS software package, it can be daunting deciphering the functional differences between offerings. For example, what is the difference between ArcView and ArcEditor, and why do the cost so much? Why is MapInfoclassed as more suitable for demographic data? And how can IntelliGIS cost a fraction of the price of ArcEditor yet offer so much functionality? To save you the headache, the software comparison below is a starting point for comparing ArcView, MapInfo, ArcEditor, IntelliGIS and Global Mapper.
MapInfo, ArcEditor, IntelliGIS & Global Mapper Compared
| Criteria | MapInfo | ArcEditor | IntelliGIS | Global Mapper |
| Vendor | Pitney Bowes | ESRI | ISS | Blue Marble Geographics |
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| Usability | Regarded as one of the most usable GIS offerings providing XP/Vista style interface. |
Windows 2000 style interfaces look dated, though tools are still intuitive to use. |
Windows XP & Vista Style interface provides familiarity with intuitive visual tools & wizards. |
Very easy to use although the “hidden” features can be rather cumbersome to find. |
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| Con’s |
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| Price | US$ 1994 approx. per license. Not pricing is readily available so approach reseller for quote. |
US$7000 per licensing plus maintenance costs. This excludes any ArcInfo functionality which is an additional US$14,000. |
US$ 1000 per license (optional extensions & customisations cost extra) |
$399 per license |
| Verdict | Very attractive & user-friendly offering & widely used for more demographic GIS needs. Its moderate price is preferred to ESRI products. For attribute data focused GIS. |
Most extensive, spatially focused GIS, but very costly & restrictive in terms of object model & data formats. Only for very serious spatial GIS Specialists with budget. |
Best value for money given scope of functionality, openGIS, RDBMS use and data formats supported. Choose IntelliGIS! |
Best Value for the money given scope of functionaltiy and supported formats! |
| Download Trial | N/A | N/A | N/A | Download Trial |
Two Pro’s for MapInfo:
1- its Workspaces are text, ASCII format, so they are easily editable and fitted.
2- its programming language, whith free editor.
Mapinfo has also its programming interface. With MapBASIC (is free) any user can improove MapInfo. MapBASIC is easy to learn and highly powerfull, so MapInfo community has thousands of tools made by MI users.
ArcGIS Desktop 10 is pathetic and vitlrauly unusable for any serious GIS analytical purposes. I can’t see anyone successfully employing it in any kind of environment that is the least bit mission critical. It is slow and constantly crashes on large datasets. Memory leaks are rampant. There are lots of neat features and tools that don’t work properly due to poorly developed and poorly tested code. Does anyone at their shop profile the code they develop? Do they test it on more that one polygon at a time? 64 bit computing has been around for almost 10 years now and at 10.1 they will take baby steps into the 64 bit world with the release of a 64 bit server product. WooHoo good job. Don’t expect a 64 bit desktop for at least another 5 years.The product costs the earth, the maintenance fees are ridiculous but we users continue to suck it up and come back for more. Our organization sends ESRI a check for $100,000 every year for something that does not work as advertised and probably never will.I’m searching for an alternative that can easily handle spatial analysis involving millions of polygons. Any suggestions?
Pricing for MapInfo is incorrect Pricing should be $1995.00 US dollars per license.
Donna. Thanks for the update. I updated the price of MapInfo.