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GIS Software
A variety of GIS software tools are available for creating, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data. University of Idaho students, faculty, and staff have access to Esri products through a higher education site license but there are also many open source options.
Esri Products
The University of Idaho participates in the Education Institution License Program with Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (Esri). Many products are available for teaching, research, and administrative uses; others are available only for teaching and research. Commercial use of the software is not a permitted use under the License.
Along with software, U of I students, faculty, and staff have access to Esri no-cost, self-paced online learning opportunities. Sign in using your U of I Account.
Have questions? Contact Bruce Godfrey, GIS Librarian.
ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online is a web-based collaborative platform (hosted by Esri) that enables members to use, create, manage, store, document, and share maps, apps, and data.
ArcGIS Enterprise
ArcGIS Enterprise is an on-premises deployment of ArcGIS Online by the U of I Library.
ArcGIS Pro
ArcGIS Pro is Esri's latest Windows-based desktop GIS that is tightly coupled with ArcGIS Online through Web GIS.
ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap)
ArcGIS Desktop is Esri's legacy Windows-based desktop GIS.
***THIS SOFTWARE WILL BE RETIRED DECEMBER 31, 2024***ArcGIS Drone2Map
ArcGIS Drone2Map is a desktop app for your geographic information system (GIS) drone mapping needs.
ArcGIS CityEngine
ArcGIS CityEngine is desktop 3D modeling software for creating interactive and immersive urban environments.
Esri Applications
Search and sort the table below to find an ArcGIS app that fits your needs:
| Resource | Purpose | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Insights for ArcGIS Insights for ArcGIS
|
Advanced Analytics | Conduct analysis in a web app that brings together location analytics, open data science, and business intelligence workflows |
|
Collector for ArcGIS Collector for ArcGIS
|
Collecting Field Data | Collect data in the field using a map-centric app |
|
Survey123 for ArcGIS Survey123 for ArcGIS
|
Collecting Field Data | Collect data in the field using a form-centric app |
|
Crowdsource Reporter Crowdsource Reporter
|
Collecting Crowdsource Data | Collect problems or observations from the public |
|
Crowdsource Polling Crowdsource Polling
|
Collecting Crowdsource Data | Collect comments for feedback from the public |
|
Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS
|
Real-time Visualization | Visualize and analyze real-time data from a dynamic dashboard |
|
ArcGIS StoryMaps ArcGIS StoryMaps
|
Communicating Research Results | Digital Storytelling using maps, photos, video, charts, and text |
|
ArcGIS Maps for Office ArcGIS Maps for Office
|
Visualizing Tabular Data | Add interactive maps to Excel spreadsheets |
|
Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS
|
App Builder | Create mapping apps for the web (no coding required) |
|
ArcGIS Experience Builder ArcGIS Experience Builder
|
App Builder | Transform your data into compelling web apps (no coding required) |
|
AppStudio for ArcGIS AppStudio for ArcGIS
|
App Builder | Create geoenabled cross-platform apps |
|
ArcGIS Business Analyst Desktop ArcGIS Business Analyst Desktop
|
Demographic Analysis | Perform demographic analysis using a tool focused primarily on site selection |
|
ArcGIS Business Analyst Web & Mobile ArcGIS Business Analyst Web & Mobile
|
Demographic Analysis | Perform demographic analysis using a tool focused primarily on site selection |
|
ArcGIS Community Analyst ArcGIS Community Analyst
|
Demographic Analysis | Perform demographic analysis using a tool focused primarily on policy issues and enabling understanding of communities from a "social issues" perspective |
|
GeoPlanner for ArcGIS GeoPlanner for ArcGIS
|
Planning | Use a web-based tool to design planning scenarios |
Open Source GIS Tools
There are numerous desktop GIS software programs such as QGIS. There are also many web-based options such as Mapbox and Carto. Take a look at the OSGeo projects to help you find an open source technology to meet your needs.
Also, take a look at a list of Open-Source GIS Software put together by Syracuse University or The History of Open Source GIS by makepath.