My Thoughts on ArcGIS Pro vs QGIS

Within the GIS software space, two pieces of software dominate the industry, ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro and the open source QGIS. Both of these packages are GIS tools capable of producing production-quality maps, automating tasks and performing GIS tasks including network analysis, raster analysis and vector analysis. The following is a critique of the two packages. The user interface between these two packages is a stark contrast. ArcGIS Pro uses a ribbon interface and QGIS uses a menu system. Dostal (2010) looked into the use of these two interfaces, and found some evidence that menu-driven might be better for experienced users. However, the ribbon interface has become pervasive in modern apps and users are typically capable of operating in both, no matter the software type. It has been my experience that the biggest issue between the two interfaces is simply perception by the average user. They see the ribbon as more modern and therefore the apps that contain it more capable. Even if this is not the case. The way data is organized within each of the packages represents a large contrast. ArcGIS Pro organizes the project into a single data structure holding various objects for toolboxes, map windows, map layouts and data sources. This allows a user to easily see what makes up a project. This is especially useful as projects grow large and use multiple maps. QGIS by comparison uses a single map canvas that holds all the data that will be displayed. As a project becomes large and uses multiple maps, the number of layers within the QGIS window will become overwhelming, making finding the necessary data inefficient. QGIS is capable of handling large projects, but is likely to be less efficient at it than ArcGIS Pro. QGIS is able to produce a clean and professional-looking map, with micro controls for most visual aspects of the display (Akella et al., n.d.). ArcGIS Pro can do all of this and more (ESRI, n.d.), with better layering and rendering controls. QGIS is limited to a single map window, but can have multiple layouts, however since each layout is tied back to the single map window, making changes is slow and prone to errors. ArcGIS Pro allows the user to create multiple map windows and combine them into multiple print layouts within a single ArcGIS Pro project. This gives the user far more flexibility in creating displays such as creating multiple inset maps or a set of small multiples. While QGIS can do what ArcGIS Pro can do, ArcGIS Pro accomplishes it in a more object oriented and intuitive way. GIS is more than just making maps; it involves the ability to perform analysis on the data to produce new information (Price, 2020). Both of these tools contain robust toolsets that allow for GIS analysis of both raster and vector layers. Both tools include built-in methods to help automate these processes through Python scripting and drag-and-drop model interfaces. One of the largest advantages QGIS has over ArcGIS Pro is the initial cost. Being open-source, QGIS can be downloaded and used by anyone for free. In comparison, an ArcGIS Pro license in Canada can range from around $1,000 to just over $8,000 depending on the tier of license being purchased (ESRI, n.d.), with enterprise editions and associated maintenance licenses moving it into corporate software territory (Niagara Region, 2022). ESRI has an excellent set of documentation and articles ready to help (ESRI, n.d.), QGIS also has an equivalent set of resources across the Internet through a passionate open-source community (QGIS, n.d.). ArcGIS Pro provides a strong, modern-looking package that is tightly integrated with ESRI’s online world. It provides the user with a robust and flexible interface with a fairly hefty price tag. QGIS gives a more traditional-looking interface with no direct ties to an online ecosystem. It gives the user the capability to do GIS analysis and create attractive maps, at no upfront cost. References
Akella, M., Cartography Tuesday, H. of, December 23, and 2025 n.d. QGIS vs. ArcGIS: A comparison for modern GIS workflows. [Accessed 10 April 2026]. Available from: https://felt.com/blog/qgis-vs-arcgis.
Anon n.d. ArcGIS Pro Pricing | Buy Now. [Accessed 10 April 2026a]. Available from: https://www.esri.ca/en-ca/store/products/buy/arcgis-pro.
Dostal, M. 2010. User Acceptance of the Microsoft Ribbon User Interface In: Proceedings of the 9th WSEAS International Conference on Data Networks, Communications, Computers (DNCOCO’10). Faro, Portugal: World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS), pp.143–149.
ESRI n.d. ArcGIS Pro Resources | Tutorials, Documentation, Videos & More. [Accessed 10 April 2026a]. Available from: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-pro/resources.
ESRI n.d. Symbolize feature layers—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation. [Accessed 10 April 2026b]. Available from: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/mapping/layer-properties/symbolize-feature-layers.htm.
Niagra Region 2022. Esri Enterprise Agreement Contract Renewal - 2022. Available from: https://pub-niagararegion.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=28920.
Price, M.H. 2020. Mastering ArcGIS pro First edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
QGIS n.d. Contact and Support · QGIS Web Site. [Accessed 10 April 2026]. Available from: https://qgis.org/resources/support/.