---
description: Compare ArcGIS vs QGIS. Learn more about each of the software’s price, features, and helpful software reviews for South African business users.
image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress
title: Compare ArcGIS vs QGIS - Capterra South Africa 2026
---

Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Public Transportation Software](/directory/30601/public-transportation/software) > [ArcGIS \<span\>vs\</span\> QGIS](https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis)

# Compare ArcGIS vs QGIS

Canonical: https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis

> Detailed comparison between ArcGIS and QGIS. Check ratings, reviews, pricing, and features to make the best decision for your business.

-----

## At a Glance

| Metric | ArcGIS | QGIS |
| **Overall rating** | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| **Total Reviews** | 503 | 100 |
| **Starting Price** | - | US$0,00 |
| **Free Trial** | Yes | No |
| **Free Version** | Yes | Yes |
| **Deployment** | Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Windows (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Linux (On-Premise), Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile), iPad (Mobile) | Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Linux (Desktop), Windows (On-Premise), Linux (On-Premise), Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile), iPad (Mobile) |
| **Support** | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live rep), Chat | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base |
| **Training** | In Person, Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos | Documentation |

## Best for

### ArcGIS

Web, on-prem and mobile solutions to help businesses with mapping, data management, predictive modeling, geocoding and more.

### QGIS

Geospatial professionals, scientists and researchers, GIS students and educators, open source software users and developers.

## Key features

### ArcGIS

- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Asset Tracking
- Color Codes/Icons
- Data Capture and Transfer
- Data Collection
- Data Import/Export
- Data Mapping
- Data Visualization
- Geocoding
- Geographic Maps
- Geolocation
- Interoperability
- Labeling
- Map Creation
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Reservations Management
- Spatial Analysis
- Third-Party Integrations

### QGIS

- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Color Codes/Icons
- Data Capture and Transfer
- Data Collection
- Data Import/Export
- Data Mapping
- Data Visualization
- Geocoding
- Geographic Maps
- Geolocation
- Interoperability
- Labeling
- Map Creation
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Spatial Analysis
- Third-Party Integrations

## Links

- [View ArcGIS Profile](https://www.capterra.co.za/software/93333/arcgis)
- [View QGIS Profile](https://www.capterra.co.za/software/185949/qgis)
- [View Original Comparison](https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis)

-----

## Structured Data

<script type="application/ld+json">
  {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"name":"Compare ArcGIS vs QGIS - Capterra South Africa 2026","description":"Compare ArcGIS vs QGIS. Learn more about each of the software’s price, features, and helpful software reviews for South African business users.","url":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis","about":[{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/93333/arcgis#software"},{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/185949/qgis#software"}],"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis#breadcrumblist"},"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis#webpage","@type":["WebPage","CollectionPage"],"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#website"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#organization"}},{"name":"ArcGIS","description":"Integrated collection of GIS software products; ArcGIS offers unique capabilities and flexible licensing for applying location-based analytics to your business practices. Gain greater insights using contextual tools to visualize and analyze your data. Collaborate and share via maps, apps, dashboards and reports.","image":"https://gdm-catalog-fmapi-prod.imgix.net/ProductScreenshot/432447f8-df2a-4aca-93c7-eb26e2e8b110.png","url":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/93333/arcgis","@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/93333/arcgis#software","@type":"SoftwareApplication","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#organization"},"applicationCategory":"BusinessApplication","aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.6,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":503},"operatingSystem":"Cloud, Windows, Windows on premise, Linux on premise, Android, Platform ios, Platform ipad"},{"name":"QGIS","description":"QGIS is open source geographic information system software. It allows creating, editing, visualizing, analyzing, and publishing geospatial data. QGIS runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, BSD, and mobile devices. It is available as desktop, server, web browser, and developer libraries. QGIS provides mapping and spatial data management tools. These tools work with vector, raster, and database formats. With QGIS, users can view, edit, and analyze geospatial data. Users can also make printable maps and share geospatial information online.","image":"https://gdm-catalog-fmapi-prod.imgix.net/ProductScreenshot/2484ef63-ba2e-4408-95eb-cb844e3e6cb1.png","url":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/185949/qgis","@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/software/185949/qgis#software","@type":"SoftwareApplication","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/#organization"},"applicationCategory":"BusinessApplication","aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.5,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":100},"offers":{"price":"0","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"USD"},"operatingSystem":"Apple, Windows, Linux, Windows on premise, Linux on premise, Android, Platform ios, Platform ipad"},{"@id":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis#breadcrumblist","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"name":"Home","position":1,"item":"/","@type":"ListItem"},{"name":"Public Transportation Software","position":2,"item":"/directory/30601/public-transportation/software","@type":"ListItem"},{"name":"ArcGIS vs QGIS","position":3,"item":"https://www.capterra.co.za/compare/93333/185949/arcgis/vs/qgis","@type":"ListItem"}]}]}
</script>
