ArcGIS vs DJI Terra Comparison
Compare ArcGIS vs DJI Terra 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.
DJI Terra
5.9/10
Windows desktop software that turns DJI drone imagery and LiDAR data into 2D maps, 3D models, and point clouds for surveying, inspection, and agriculture.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | D DJI Terra |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 7.2/10 | 5.9/10 |
| Integration | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Security | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Support | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Cost | 3/10 | 6/10 |
| Analytics | 9/10 | 6/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Customization | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Scalability | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Contact for pricing | Free Free Trial |
| Features | ||
| Work Orders | ||
| GIS and Mapping | ||
| Asset Registry | Not listed | |
| Digital Twin | Not listed | |
| Drone Inspection | Not listed | |
| Inspection Automation | Not listed | |
| Inspection Checklists | Not listed | |
| LiDAR Processing | Not listed | |
| Offline Field App | Not listed | |
| Power Line Inspection | Not listed | |
| Preventive Maintenance | Not listed | |
| Spare Parts Inventory | Not listed | |
ArcGIS vs DJI Terra cost by team size
| Team size | ArcGIS | DJI Terra |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | Contact for pricing | FreeFree Trial |
| 5 users | Contact for pricing | FreeFree Trial |
| 10 users | Contact for pricing | FreeFree Trial |
| 25 users | Contact for pricing | FreeFree Trial |
| 50 users | Contact for pricing | FreeFree Trial |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose ArcGIS
- Higher Analytics score (9/10 vs 6/10)
- Higher Customization score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Better fit for government (9/10 vs 6/10)
- Better fit for utilities (9/10 vs 7/10)
- Includes Work Orders, which DJI Terra lacks
DWhy choose DJI Terra
- Has a free plan (ArcGIS does not)
- Higher Cost score (6/10 vs 3/10)
- Higher Ease of Use score (7/10 vs 5/10)
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.
DDJI Terra
Pros
- Zenmuse L2 and L3 point cloud processing is free, and cluster processing has been included at no cost since V5.1.
- Permanent licenses need no maintenance or upgrade fees from V5.0 onward.
- Standard's entry price of 1,850 USD a year is below PIX4Dmatic's comparable plan.
- Exports cover many formats, including LAS, LAZ, GeoTIFF, FBX, OSGB, B3DM, and I3S.
- Native handling of DJI flight data and camera calibration means little setup is needed.
Cons
- It runs only on 64-bit Windows with an NVIDIA GPU and at least 32 GB of RAM, with no Mac version.
- It is tuned for DJI hardware, and DJI warns that results from non-DJI drones may be worse.
- Mapping flight planning was removed in V5.0, so a separate DJI app is needed for it.
- Online licenses stop working after three days offline, and activated licenses are non-refundable.
- It has no client delivery, job tracking, or collaboration features.
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 5.9/10 for DJI Terra. The largest gap is in Analytics: 9/10 for ArcGIS and 6/10 for DJI Terra.
DJI Terra has a free plan; ArcGIS does not list one.
ArcGIS is the better fit for government: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 6/10 for DJI Terra.
ArcGIS has Work Orders, which DJI Terra lacks.
