ArcGIS vs TerraScan Comparison
Compare ArcGIS vs TerraScan features, pricing, and more.
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.
TerraScan
5.8/10
Desktop LiDAR point cloud software from Terrasolid that classifies laser scans and extracts vector models for surveying, mapping, and power line corridor projects.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | T TerraScan |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 7.2/10 | 5.8/10 |
| Integration | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Security | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Support | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Cost | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Analytics | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Customization | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Scalability | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| 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 | ||
| Offline Field App | ||
| Work Orders | ||
| Asset Registry | ||
| Drone Inspection | Not listed | |
| GIS and Mapping | Not listed | |
| Inspection Checklists | Not listed | |
| LiDAR Processing | Not listed | |
| Power Line Inspection | Not listed | |
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose ArcGIS
- Higher Integration score (8/10 vs 6/10)
- Higher Security score (7/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for government (9/10 vs 6/10)
- Includes Offline Field App, which TerraScan lacks
- Includes Work Orders, which TerraScan lacks
TWhy choose TerraScan
- Higher Cost score (4/10 vs 3/10)
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.
TTerraScan
Pros
- It offers deep automatic classification that users can chain into macros and run in batch across LAN workstations.
- Specialized power line tools cover wire vectorization, tower models, and danger object analysis.
- Euro prices for every edition and licence length are published openly, including short 2-month subscriptions.
- It reads many formats, including LAS, LAZ, E57, and PLY, and recent builds added gaussian splat editing.
- Cheaper UAV and Lite editions lower the entry cost for drone LiDAR work.
Cons
- It needs a CAD host (MicroStation or Spatix) and runs on Windows only.
- Strip alignment and surface modeling need extra modules such as TerraMatch, which raise the total cost.
- Processing is local and needs a strong workstation, and the software offers no cloud sharing of deliverables.
- Few public user reviews exist on G2-style sites, and the software has a steep learning curve for newcomers.
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 5.8/10 for TerraScan. The largest gap is in Analytics: 9/10 for ArcGIS and 7/10 for TerraScan.
No, neither ArcGIS nor TerraScan lists a free plan.
ArcGIS is the better fit for government: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 6/10 for TerraScan.
ArcGIS has Offline Field App and Work Orders, which TerraScan lacks.
