ArcGIS vs Scanifly (2026): Pricing, Features & Verdict
ArcGIS is our pick, scoring 7.2/10 against 5.7/10 for Scanifly on our Industrial & Infrastructure Software criteria. Its biggest advantage: higher Security score (7/10 vs 4/10). Neither ArcGIS nor Scanifly lists a free plan.
Last updated: November 2026
ArcGIS
7.2/10
Esri's GIS platform for mapping, spatial analysis and field data collection, used by utilities, governments and infrastructure owners to manage networks and assets.
Scanifly
5.7/10
Solar PV design and field operations software that turns drone imagery and remote imagery into 3D models, shading analysis and permit-ready designs for solar installers.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 7.2/10 | 5.7/10 |
| Integration | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Security | 7/10 | 4/10 |
| Support | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Analytics | 9/10 | 6/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Customization | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Scalability | 9/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | No |
| Cheapest paid plan | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Features | ||
| Inspection Checklists | ||
| Asset Registry | Not listed | |
| Drone Inspection | Not listed | |
| Engineering Design | Not listed | |
| Engineering Simulation | Not listed | |
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
| Offline Field App | Not listed | |
| Work Orders | Not listed | |
Who ArcGIS and Scanifly suit
Scanifly fits small business better than ArcGIS.
| Audience | ArcGIS | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business | 4/10Reviewers say subscription and credit costs are hard to justify for small users. | 6/10Its few G2 reviews come from small installers, but quote-only pricing and the cost of a drone program add overhead. |
| Field Teams | 8/10Field Maps supports offline task work, data capture and crew dispatch. | 7/10The free mobile app gives surveyors checklists and photo annotation, and drone flights replace manual roof measurement. |
| Construction | Not rated | 7/10Solar contractors use it to cut roof climbs, measure sites and produce plan sets and racking layouts. |
| Drone Service Providers | Not rated | 5/10Any geo-tagged drone imagery works, but the product is tied to solar design rather than general drone services. |
| Energy Companies | Not rated | 9/10It is built specifically for solar PV installers and designers, covering sales, survey, design and install. |
| Enterprise | 8/10Large organizations can choose SaaS or self-hosted ArcGIS Enterprise. | Not rated |
| Government | 9/10Government agencies are a core market for Field Maps and ArcGIS Online. | Not rated |
| Utilities | 9/10Esri targets utilities with utility network tracing and field crew apps. | Not rated |
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose ArcGIS
- Higher Security score (7/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Analytics score (9/10 vs 6/10)
Why choose Scanifly
- Higher Cost score (4/10 vs 3/10)
- Higher Ease of Use score (6/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for small business (6/10 vs 4/10)
Pros & Cons
ArcGIS
Pros
- One platform covers desktop, cloud, self-hosted and mobile GIS, so office and field teams work from the same data.
- Field Maps works fully offline for maps, forms, tasks and utility network tracing.
- Integrates with Cityworks, Salesforce, Power Automate and offers APIs for custom systems.
- G2 reviewers praise how it handles layers and datasets and how easy cloud access makes remote work.
Cons
- No public pricing, and reviewers cite subscription and credit costs as the main complaint.
- Credits are consumed by premium services, which can limit heavy use.
- ArcGIS Online lacks some geoprocessing tools found in ArcGIS Pro and Desktop.
- Reviewers report a steep learning curve without training.
Scanifly
Pros
- DroneDesign builds a measured 3D model from any GPS-equipped drone, which suits installers who want as-built accuracy over satellite estimates.
- Shading reports are accepted by several state programs and lenders, including NYSERDA, MassCEC, CEC and Austin Energy.
- A direct API integration with IronRidge Design Assistant (January 2026) sends panel layouts into racking design without redrawing.
- Remote prelim designs and drone-based final designs live in one tool, along with a free mobile survey app.
- Product updates ship regularly, such as web-editable checklists and photo albums inside the 3D scene in 2026.
Cons
- No public subscription pricing, so buyers must book a demo to get a quote.
- DroneDesign needs your own drone and a certified pilot, or an outsourced survey that costs extra and takes 3 to 5 business days.
- Reviewers report no native 8,760-hour yield simulation, branded proposals, CRM or financing portal.
- There are very few independent user reviews; G2 lists about two, and Capterra appears to have no listing.
Not sold on either?
Air Inspection Automation (AiA)Our product
Plans DJI drone inspection missions for power line towers from LiDAR scans: it finds the towers, places photo stops, checks clearance, and splits the route into battery flights.
Made by the team behind b stack radar. Shown here because it fits this topic. It is not part of our rankings. How we rank tools
Frequently Asked Questions
ArcGIS scores higher on our Industrial & Infrastructure Software criteria: 7.2/10 against 5.7/10 for Scanifly. The largest gap is in Analytics: 9/10 for ArcGIS and 6/10 for Scanifly.
No, neither ArcGIS nor Scanifly lists a free plan.
Scanifly is the better fit for small business: we rate it 6/10 for them, against 4/10 for ArcGIS.
