ArcGIS Pro Vs. ArcMap: Why You Should Move to ArcGIS Pro

Esri is, without a doubt, a household name in the geospatial analysis world. The company made its mark in the geospatial industry with the release of the ArcGIS desktop, whose flagship product ArcMap remains one of the most effective tools for geospatial projects.

The release of ArcGIS Pro, ESRI’s next-generation desktop software, in 2015 spelled a new era for Esri and the world of GIS. It came with numerous benefits and advantages than what ArcMap had to offer GIS professionals and geospatial enthusiasts.

In this article, I will look at the key differences between ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro and why you should get used to using the latter for your geospatial projects.

Differences Between ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap

As soon as the first ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Pro 1.0, was released in 2015, many GIS enthusiasts have wondered about the differences between the product and ArcMap. Below I have summarized some of the top differences between the two packages.

Main Differences of ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap:

1. The user interface

2. 3D integration

3. Editing feature

4. Project setup

   
   

The User Interface

One of the most apparent differences between ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap is how their interface looks and works. When working in ArcMap, you need to locate any tool you need by browsing to where it is situated in the toolbox or using the search button to find it.

However, with ArcGIS Pro, this is not necessary. ArcGIS Pro software features a customizable contextual ribbon interface that updates contextually depending on what you are doing within the software. Microsoft Office tools users will recognize this type of intuitive ribbon-style toolbar. The ArcGIS Pro ribbon uses a context-based organizational scheme to display the most frequently used tools. Clicking on a tab will cause the contextual interface to display tools that are specifically relevant to your project. With this feature, you will have an intuitive workspace without needing to dig through toolbars and dialogue boxes while working.

It is also worth noting that although ArcGIS Pro uses a new and smart ribbon interface, it still uses the same basic and familiar concepts as ArcMap - maps, layers, and base maps.

3D Integration

Another essential difference between ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro is 3D compatibility. Typically, you will need to open up ArcScene or ArcGlobe before you can look at any 3D data, as ArcMap does not support 3D data.

However, the advent of ArcGIS Pro has pushed this concept to the verge of extinction. ArcGIS Pro offers data visualization, advanced data analysis, and data maintenance in 2D and 3D. You can unify 2D data with 3D scenes (local and global) on ArcGIS Pro and synchronize or convert 2D with 3D or vice versa.

ArcGIS Pro is also quite effective in 4D-GIS, which means you can visualize how things change over time.

Editing Feature

Another significant difference between ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro is how users can edit features. In ArcMap, you will need to start an edit session before you can make changes/edits to your data. However, this is different on ArcGIS Pro.

In ArcGIS Pro, there is no need to start an editing session, as it is always enabled by default. It means you can automatically create, modify, or delete any features and related data on layers in your map on the fly by simply going to the edit menu and picking which tool you want to use. You won’t need to start, stop, or select which layer you want to edit on your map. This can be a handy tool as it increases efficiency by making editing faster.

However, to protect against performing unintentional edits, ESRI provides users with the avenue to configure the edit button, which you can then use to enable and disable editing manually.

Project Setup

Another significant difference between ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro is how users can set up projects.

The working of ArcMap is document-based, using “.mxd” format, which means Map Exchange Document. A single document in ArcMap contains maps, specifics about the data used (Including pointers to the file location of each dataset on the layer, display information (symbology and labeling), and other elements used in ArcMap. ArcMap document files don't store GIS data but instead contain pointers to the location of the GIS dataset.

On the other hand, ArcGIS Pro has a more project-centric approach, which keeps all your maps, 3D scenes, layouts, tools, geodatabase, and connections in one place as a single project with the extension “.aprx." ArcGIS Pro allows for integrating multiple maps, layouts, folders, styles, tools, and databases in a single project. By default, a project is stored in its system folder with its geodatabase (extension ".gdb") and toolbox (extension ".tbx"). With just a few clicks, you can also package projects in ArcGIS Pro into an easy-to-share format that users can share via cloud or file.

The best part is that as it is more containerized, it is easier to access the connections and tools within, package, share, and archive projects in ArcGIS Pro.

Why You Should Move to ArcGIS Pro

From the differences highlighted above, you would have spotted many advantages the ArcGIS Pro package has over ArcMap. However, there are many other reasons why you should consider moving to the new and improved software.

• ArcGIS Pro is a 64-bit multi-threaded application with powerful processing and an upgraded display engine that allows faster analysis and rendering than ArcMap.
• The 2D and 3D maps created in ArcGIS Pro can be shared as web maps and web scenes to ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise with ease.
• You can perform more complete workflows, like map creation and data management, entirely in ArcGIS Pro.
• ArcGIS Pro’s cartography is much better than what ArcMap has to offer.
• ArcGIS Pro is capable of fast-loading imagery.
• ArcGIS Pro has a new, innovative technique (infographics) to add beautiful charts to your outputs.
• ArcGIS Pro features newly-improved remote sensing tools that allow you to easily do fundamental analysis, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and many more.

Esri Will Retire the ArcMap Software in 2026

The most important reason you should move to ArcGIS Pro is that ArcMap 10.8.x, the current series, is set to be the ArcMap software's last and final release series. While support for ArcMap 10.8.x series will continue until 2026 with necessary updates and patches to address security and third-party issues; no more development will occur. All desktop development efforts are on the ArcGIS Pro package. As a result, beyond 2026, Esri will only continue to provide updates and enhancements to ArcGIS Pro, while ArcMap will no longer get any improvement or support.

Closing Thoughts

These are just a few changes and improvements you will encounter once you start using ArcGIS Pro software for your geospatial projects.

ArcGIS Pro didn’t bring about something entirely new. Instead, it is an essential update that significantly improves how you do your geospatial projects. While adjusting to the new software may take some time, it is best to do so soon. You can take advantage of the vast information available online to get started.

ESRI’s decision to discontinue ArcMap and focus more on ArcGIS pro, which reflects the company’s commitment to providing its users with the latest GIS technology and functionality, is another reason to consider transitioning.

By moving to ArcGIS Pro, you will be future-proofing your GIS operations and positioning yourself for success in the rapidly evolving world of GIS.