ArcGIS Pro vs. ArcGIS Online: Can ArcGIS Online Replace ArcGIS Pro?

As GIS professionals and organizations transition into the Esri ecosystem, many wonder whether ArcGIS Online (AGOL) can serve as a viable alternative to ArcGIS Pro. While both platforms offer robust geospatial capabilities, their purposes, strengths, and limitations differ significantly. This article will explore the key differences between ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, analyzing whether AGOL can replace ArcGIS Pro or if both platforms are complementary tools for GIS workflows.

1. Desktop vs. Web-Based Platforms

The most fundamental difference between ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online is their deployment:

ArcGIS Pro: A powerful desktop application designed for complex spatial analysis, data management, and map creation. It requires installation on a machine with high-performance hardware and is part of the ArcGIS Desktop suite.
ArcGIS Online: A cloud-based GIS platform that allows users to create, share, and analyze maps and data without needing any software installation. Users can access AGOL from any device with an internet connection, making it ideal for remote work and collaboration.

2. Level of Functionality

While both platforms offer robust GIS capabilities, ArcGIS Pro is far more comprehensive in terms of functionality.

ArcGIS Pro: Geared toward advanced users, ArcGIS Pro offers an extensive suite of tools for data analysis, 3D modeling, network analysis, spatial statistics, and geoprocessing. Pro’s capabilities for working with large datasets, running complex analyses, and customizing workflows with Python scripting are unmatched by AGOL.
ArcGIS Online: AGOL provides an easy-to-use interface for basic GIS tasks such as creating web maps, sharing data, and performing some spatial analysis like buffer, overlay, and hotspot analysis. However, it lacks many of the advanced spatial analysis and data management tools available in ArcGIS Pro. Its analytical capabilities are more limited and designed for general users rather than GIS professionals performing high-level analysis.

For advanced geospatial workflows, ArcGIS Pro is essential, while ArcGIS Online serves more for lightweight analysis and map sharing.

3. Data Management and Storage

Both platforms offer solutions for managing geospatial data, but the approach to data storage and access differs.

ArcGIS Pro: Users have full control over where and how they store their data. Data can be stored locally, in enterprise databases, or cloud environments. Pro allows for deep customization of data structures, symbology, and geodatabase management. It also supports more complex data types, such as raster datasets, LiDAR, and CAD files.
ArcGIS Online: Being cloud-based, AGOL offers data storage in the cloud through hosted feature services. This means users can store and access their data from anywhere, but they are subject to storage limits and may incur additional costs for storing large datasets. While AGOL offers hosted feature layers, it lacks the ability to manage local databases or perform complex data editing and management tasks found in Pro.

ArcGIS Pro offers far more flexibility in terms of data management, particularly for organizations managing large datasets or working in environments where data sovereignty and security are paramount.

4. Mapping and Visualization

Both platforms excel in map creation, but there are differences in how maps are designed, shared, and presented.

ArcGIS Pro: ArcGIS Pro is designed for professional-grade cartography and mapping. It offers a high level of control over symbology, labeling, and layout, and supports multi-layout projects, 3D maps, animations, and more. Pro’s 3D capabilities, such as creating scenes and working with point clouds, set it apart from AGOL in terms of advanced visualization.
ArcGIS Online: AGOL excels at creating interactive web maps and apps that can be shared with a wide audience. It allows users to build responsive, mobile-friendly maps, and web applications that can be embedded in websites or shared with the public. However, AGOL’s cartographic capabilities are not as extensive as Pro’s, especially when it comes to highly detailed, professional maps or 3D visualizations.

ArcGIS Pro is the go-to for high-end cartography and complex visualizations, while AGOL shines when it comes to sharing interactive maps and building web applications.

5. Analysis and Automation

When it comes to analysis, ArcGIS Pro is by far the more powerful platform.

ArcGIS Pro: Pro’s advanced geoprocessing toolbox includes hundreds of tools for spatial analysis, from simple proximity tools to complex geostatistical analysis. Users can automate workflows with ModelBuilder or custom Python scripts, offering unparalleled flexibility for repetitive tasks or complex workflows.
ArcGIS Online: AGOL includes basic analysis tools for tasks such as buffering, overlay, and proximity analysis, but it lacks the depth of tools available in ArcGIS Pro. While AGOL can execute certain tasks via cloud processing, it doesn’t support custom automation or large-scale batch processing like ArcGIS Pro.

For advanced analysis and automation, ArcGIS Pro is essential. AGOL is suitable for performing light spatial analysis and processing on simpler datasets.

6. Collaboration and Sharing

Both platforms facilitate sharing and collaboration, but AGOL is specifically designed for easy web-based sharing.

ArcGIS Pro: While Pro supports sharing via ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise, it is primarily used to create maps and analyses for internal or professional use. Pro can publish maps and services to AGOL or ArcGIS Server, but the desktop application itself is not optimized for collaborative, cloud-based workflows.
ArcGIS Online: AGOL’s primary strength lies in its ability to easily share maps, data, and analysis results with both public and private audiences. With Web Maps, StoryMaps, and web applications, AGOL makes it simple to create and distribute interactive GIS content without requiring specialized software. Collaborative tools in AGOL allow multiple users to contribute to and edit shared data.

For easy sharing and collaboration, particularly with non-GIS professionals, AGOL is more effective. However, for creating more advanced, in-depth analyses, ArcGIS Pro is still necessary, with AGOL serving as the platform to distribute those results.

7. Cost and Licensing

There is also a notable difference in pricing and licensing models between the two platforms.

ArcGIS Pro: ArcGIS Pro requires a desktop license, which can be part of an organization’s ArcGIS Desktop package or acquired individually. Pro’s licensing cost reflects its capabilities, making it a more significant investment.
ArcGIS Online: AGOL operates on a subscription model, where users or organizations pay for access based on the number of users, amount of data stored, and credits consumed. Credits are used for various tasks such as data storage, geocoding, and analysis, making it a more cost-effective option for small-scale projects or organizations with simpler GIS needs.

For organizations needing heavy-duty desktop GIS, ArcGIS Pro’s licensing model makes sense. For lighter, collaborative work, AGOL’s subscription-based model is more cost-effective.

Can ArcGIS Online Replace ArcGIS Pro?

While ArcGIS Online is a powerful platform for cloud-based GIS, it cannot fully replace ArcGIS Pro. AGOL excels in web-based mapping, collaboration, and sharing, making it ideal for organizations that need to distribute interactive GIS content to a broad audience. However, for advanced spatial analysis, data management, automation, and professional cartography, ArcGIS Pro remains the go-to tool.

Rather than seeing AGOL as a replacement for ArcGIS Pro, the two platforms should be viewed as complementary tools. Many GIS workflows involve creating data and performing analyses in ArcGIS Pro, then sharing the results via AGOL for broader access and collaboration. By integrating the strengths of both platforms, organizations can optimize their geospatial workflows and deliver more value to their users.

Resource(s):

https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-pro/overview

https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-online/overview

https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-online/get-started/what-is-agol.htm

We hope that this article has been helpful! If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to send us an email or connect with us for a chat. The NTGISC team is here to assist you further!