ArcGIS Experience Builder vs ArcGIS Dashboards
Experience Builder is for composing a web application around maps and widgets. Dashboards is for presenting operational indicators and linked data views. Choose according to whether the audience needs a broader application journey or a monitoring screen.
Which option fits the requirement?
Experience Builder is for composing a web application around maps and widgets. Dashboards is for presenting operational indicators and linked data views. Choose according to whether the audience needs a broader application journey or a monitoring screen.
Seven differences that change the shortlist
| Buying question | ArcGIS Experience Builder | ArcGIS Dashboards |
|---|---|---|
| Output model | Configurable web application | Operational information dashboard |
| Authoring approach | Visual layouts and widgets | Configure maps, indicators and dashboard elements |
| Data context | Connected ArcGIS maps and data | Maps and connected data views |
| Interaction focus | Custom layouts and multi-widget experiences | Monitoring indicators and interacting with data |
| Platform boundary | Eligible ArcGIS platform and user access | ArcGIS organisation and sharing permissions |
| Evaluation focus | Responsive layouts, widgets and data interactions | Indicator definitions, filters and update behaviour |
| Cost components | Eligible access, data hosting, services and custom work | Eligible access, underlying services and hosted data |
Four worked buying briefs
These are hypothetical scenarios with explicit assumptions. They do not establish equal capabilities, measured usability or a negotiated price.
| Requirement | Proposed exercise | Accept when |
|---|---|---|
| Audience task | Build one copied view that answers a specific visitor question. | The intended audience can complete the task using the available interaction. |
| Mobile layout | Read the app and operate its essential controls on a narrow screen. | Content, controls and data remain understandable and usable. |
| Sharing permissions | Open the published test content as an anonymous and an authorised user. | Apps and underlying layers follow the documented access policy. |
| Content update | Change one authorised sample record and inspect the published view. | The update and ownership process is documented and repeatable. |
Audience task
Can the team build one copied view that answers a specific visitor question?
ArcGIS Experience Builder: With ArcGIS Experience Builder, build one copied view that answers a specific visitor question.
ArcGIS Dashboards: With ArcGIS Dashboards, build one copied view that answers a specific visitor question.
The intended audience can complete the task using the available interaction.
Mobile layout
Can the team read the app and operate its essential controls on a narrow screen?
ArcGIS Experience Builder: With ArcGIS Experience Builder, read the app and operate its essential controls on a narrow screen.
ArcGIS Dashboards: With ArcGIS Dashboards, read the app and operate its essential controls on a narrow screen.
Content, controls and data remain understandable and usable.
Sharing permissions
Can the team open the published test content as an anonymous and an authorised user?
ArcGIS Experience Builder: With ArcGIS Experience Builder, open the published test content as an anonymous and an authorised user.
ArcGIS Dashboards: With ArcGIS Dashboards, open the published test content as an anonymous and an authorised user.
Apps and underlying layers follow the documented access policy.
Content update
Can the team change one authorised sample record and inspect the published view?
ArcGIS Experience Builder: With ArcGIS Experience Builder, change one authorised sample record and inspect the published view.
ArcGIS Dashboards: With ArcGIS Dashboards, change one authorised sample record and inspect the published view.
The update and ownership process is documented and repeatable.
Scope and architecture
Experience Builder is for composing a web application around maps and widgets. Dashboards is for presenting operational indicators and linked data views. Choose according to whether the audience needs a broader application journey or a monitoring screen.
These applications present geographic information in different ways and can be combined. An operational dashboard, interactive web application and narrative story have different audience tasks. Confirm user types, public access, underlying layer permissions and any separately billed services.
ArcGIS Experience Builder product information ↗ · ArcGIS Dashboards product information ↗
Cost and migration planning
For ArcGIS Experience Builder, include eligible access, data hosting, services and custom work. For ArcGIS Dashboards, include eligible access, underlying services and hosted data. Define the same task, inputs, required outputs and operating environment, then confirm current terms for the actual software configuration.
Publish a copied map with test data, verify it as an anonymous visitor and an authorised user, and check its layout on a small screen. Preserve required layer access and document who owns the app, data and updates.
Questions before you choose
How should we choose between ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Dashboards?
Experience Builder is for composing a web application around maps and widgets. Dashboards is for presenting operational indicators and linked data views. Choose according to whether the audience needs a broader application journey or a monitoring screen.
Which costs belong in the comparison?
For ArcGIS Experience Builder, include eligible access, data hosting, services and custom work. For ArcGIS Dashboards, include eligible access, underlying services and hosted data. Define the same task, inputs, required outputs and operating environment, then confirm current terms for the actual software configuration.
What should we validate before a production move?
Publish a copied map with test data, verify it as an anonymous visitor and an authorised user, and check its layout on a small screen. Preserve required layer access and document who owns the app, data and updates.
Turn the comparison into your own evaluation
Use the same criteria and priorities for both products, keep unknowns unassessed and record the plan and evidence behind your ratings.
Build a ArcGIS Experience Builder vs ArcGIS Dashboards scorecard →Keep the assumptions with the figures
Use the date, billing cycle, units and limits with each example. Check current account terms before purchasing. Unverified prices and model costs stay unpriced.
Download the buying examples as JSON ↓Share the comparison
Use these examples when discussing the shortlist with your team.