ArcGIS vs. Mapbox

I'm very grateful to be able to use it, and I have a master's degree with a focus in Geospatial Analysis. There can be a bit of a learning curve, and I try to build user-friendly ways for volunteers to see & collect data. Meanwhile, if a colleague is less confident with building such a system, it may be more difficult for them to implement.

Incentivized

Mapbox is great if you have a BI or Data Visualization problem while working with either large datasets or you want a high level of control on the design of your geospatial data. Also fantastic options for integrating maps onto your website or into your Android or iOS app. Basically, if you need a map in any shape, way, or form and you want a lot of detailed control over it, Mapbox is the way to go.

Incentivized

• ArcGIS Online simplifies complicated functions in ArcMap.
• Allows you to layer various data points on top of each other
• Enables for some spreadsheet calculations within the platform (instead of having to do every single step in Excel before bringing it in as a CSV.)

• Excellent documentation and worked examples makes it easy for newbies to get started.
• Works well across web or mobile platforms.
• Clean looking default map styles make your designs look professional.
• Since it is built on top of Leaflet.js, it is easily extensible. So any feature or function that is not available within the Mapbox.js API can be imported from other API's.

Incentivized

• There is a steep learning curve for ArcGIS users.
• It takes a lot of computing power for ArcGIS, as it can't be installed on every computer.
• At times, tools can be outdated and there are many similar competitors making more web-based tools that can replace ArcGIS.

Incentivized

• I'm not a huge GIS nerd, so for what we are doing it is pretty solid.
• The pricing model is a bit confusing, but the product is fantastic.

Incentivized

Simply because the program deserves it. It seems to me that it is a fundamental tool for the storage, analysis, and interpretation of medium and large-scale phenomena, unmanageable with traditional engineering software. Its versatility in the handling of the different "layers" with which the data is handled and interpolation tools, make this software a powerful ally both for companies and for the educational part of the universities.

Once set up, the tools are extremely easy to use. I had a staff member develop a tool for field data collection, that included an external and internal dashboards to monitor progress in days. The field workers that collected the data, barely knew how to use a computer, and within minutes they could use the application that was configured for them.

Incentivized

It is a good tool to use. We can perform various customisations; I always end up exploring and finding a new feature that can be used in my work somewhere. And one good thing is that is actually quite reasonable in terms of cost, with the free tier being quite adequate

Incentivized

ArcGIS' web support is quite good. They also have a broad user base that is active in answering community members' questions. For more sophisticated questions, ArcGIS technical support is good at answering questions, although answers usually are not instantaneously available. I'd also say that ArcGIS is working hard at making its technical support more reachable, at least it appears that way.

Incentivized

My students love the "drop" feature in Google Maps, but besides that it truly doesn't compare. I love that you can add, delete, or change layers to this map to better understand its larger affect. There are many more ways to manipulate maps on ArcGIS than on Google Maps. I can also add personal details and information if I want to create a specific map, something that I am unable to do with Google

Incentivized

Mapbox provides many more services, like the Navigation SDK, Vision SDK (currently in beta), and Styles Gallery that allows companies to create a much more design-friendly frontend for a very low cost. Mapbox has also put a lot more resources into their search-related APIs to make them just as quick and accurate as the Google Maps search products. There is also a lot more innovation happening at Mapbox, with new geo/map products released regularly. Innovation and growth at the Google Maps API seems to be happening much slower.

Incentivized

• The high availability of training exercises and materials available save valuable faculty time - we don't have to create those materials from scratch.
• The ability to use the software for a wide variety of application spaces gives us maximum flexibility in pursuing extramural funding
• Novel applications developed by our team help facilitate university success

Incentivized

• I don't think this is a fair question for me to answer. Apart from our time we have not invested anything into Mapbox - so from that perspective the ROI is great! Great returns without any investment!

Incentivized