Mapserver vs ArcGIS

Struggling to choose between Mapserver and ArcGIS? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Mapserver is a Development solution with tags like mapping, gis, geospatial, open-source.

It boasts features such as Publish spatial data and interactive maps on the web, Support for common data formats like PostGIS, GeoJSON, Shapefiles, Customizable map rendering with support for styling, labeling, symbology, OGC standards compliance for WMS, WFS, WCS, Scriptable using Python, PHP, Perl, Ruby, Java, and .NET, Extensible architecture for customization and integration and pros including Open source and free, High performance and scalability, Cross-platform and works with major web servers, Supports wide range of spatial data formats, Active development community.

On the other hand, ArcGIS is a Business & Commerce product tagged with gis, maps, geographic-data, geolocation.

Its standout features include Desktop GIS for creating and analyzing maps, ArcGIS Pro for advanced 2D and 3D mapping and analysis, ArcGIS Online for web-based mapping and analysis, ArcGIS Enterprise for hosting and sharing GIS services, ArcGIS API for JavaScript for web mapping, ArcGIS Runtime SDKs for building native apps, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst for advanced raster analysis, ArcGIS 3D Analyst for 3D visualization and analysis, and it shines with pros like Powerful and versatile GIS capabilities, Industry-leading mapping and analytics, Scales from desktop to enterprise deployments, Integrates well with other Esri products, Large user community and resources.

Feature	Mapserver	ArcGIS
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Business & Commerce

Product Overview

Mapserver

Description: Mapserver is an open source platform for publishing spatial data and interactive mapping applications to the web. It enables users to quickly build web mapping applications that leverage data from PostgreSQL/PostGIS, GeoJSON, and other sources.

ArcGIS

Description: ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) for working with maps and geographic information. It allows you to create, analyze, store, and share geographic data and maps.

Key Features Comparison

Mapserver Features

• Publish spatial data and interactive maps on the web
• Support for common data formats like PostGIS, GeoJSON, Shapefiles
• Customizable map rendering with support for styling, labeling, symbology
• OGC standards compliance for WMS, WFS, WCS
• Scriptable using Python, PHP, Perl, Ruby, Java, and .NET
• Extensible architecture for customization and integration

ArcGIS Features

• Desktop GIS for creating and analyzing maps
• ArcGIS Pro for advanced 2D and 3D mapping and analysis
• ArcGIS Online for web-based mapping and analysis
• ArcGIS Enterprise for hosting and sharing GIS services
• ArcGIS API for JavaScript for web mapping
• ArcGIS Runtime SDKs for building native apps
• ArcGIS Spatial Analyst for advanced raster analysis
• ArcGIS 3D Analyst for 3D visualization and analysis

Pros & Cons Analysis

Mapserver

Pros

• Open source and free
• High performance and scalability
• Cross-platform and works with major web servers
• Supports wide range of spatial data formats
• Active development community

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Less user friendly compared to commercial alternatives
• Limited documentation and support
• Not as feature rich as commercial software

ArcGIS

Pros

• Powerful and versatile GIS capabilities
• Industry-leading mapping and analytics
• Scales from desktop to enterprise deployments
• Integrates well with other Esri products
• Large user community and resources

Cons

• Can be complex for new users
• Requires proprietary software and formats
• Expensive licensing model
• Steep learning curve for advanced features

Pricing Comparison

Mapserver

• Open Source

ArcGIS

• Subscription-Based
• Pay-As-You-Go