{
  "id": "arcgis-instant-apps-vs-arcgis-dashboards",
  "ids": [
    "arcgis-instant-apps",
    "arcgis-dashboards"
  ],
  "title": "ArcGIS Instant Apps vs ArcGIS Dashboards: publishing ArcGIS maps for different audiences",
  "heading": "ArcGIS Instant Apps vs ArcGIS Dashboards",
  "kicker": "GIS and analysis software comparison",
  "deck": "Instant Apps provides configurable templates for focused map experiences. Dashboards combines maps with indicators and data displays. Prefer a template-led app for a specific map task and evaluate Dashboards when the audience needs operational summaries.",
  "description": "Compare ArcGIS Instant Apps vs ArcGIS Dashboards for publishing ArcGIS maps for different audiences.",
  "answerHeading": "Which option fits the requirement?",
  "answer": "Instant Apps provides configurable templates for focused map experiences. Dashboards combines maps with indicators and data displays. Prefer a template-led app for a specific map task and evaluate Dashboards when the audience needs operational summaries.",
  "checkedAt": "2026-10-25",
  "researchTag": "Deployment, compatibility and cost scope",
  "researchLimit": "Official product material reviewed. Acceptance checks are proposed exercises, not completed product trials, performance measurements or reliability guarantees.",
  "datasetDescription": "Seven technical differences and four proposed acceptance checks for ArcGIS Instant Apps vs ArcGIS Dashboards.",
  "type": "workflow-buying",
  "sharedBuyingNeed": "Evaluate alternative approaches to publishing ArcGIS maps for different audiences.",
  "rows": [
    [
      "Output model",
      "Template-based map web app",
      "Operational information dashboard"
    ],
    [
      "Authoring approach",
      "Configure a selected application template",
      "Configure maps, indicators and dashboard elements"
    ],
    [
      "Data context",
      "Published maps and supported content",
      "Maps and connected data views"
    ],
    [
      "Interaction focus",
      "A focused map-sharing experience",
      "Monitoring indicators and interacting with data"
    ],
    [
      "Platform boundary",
      "Included with eligible ArcGIS user types",
      "ArcGIS organisation and sharing permissions"
    ],
    [
      "Evaluation focus",
      "Template fit and required map interactions",
      "Indicator definitions, filters and update behaviour"
    ],
    [
      "Cost components",
      "Eligible access and separately billed platform resources",
      "Eligible access, underlying services and hosted data"
    ]
  ],
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Audience task",
      "question": "Can the team build one copied view that answers a specific visitor question?",
      "left": "With ArcGIS Instant Apps, build one copied view that answers a specific visitor question.",
      "right": "With ArcGIS Dashboards, build one copied view that answers a specific visitor question.",
      "note": "The intended audience can complete the task using the available interaction."
    },
    {
      "name": "Mobile layout",
      "question": "Can the team read the app and operate its essential controls on a narrow screen?",
      "left": "With ArcGIS Instant Apps, read the app and operate its essential controls on a narrow screen.",
      "right": "With ArcGIS Dashboards, read the app and operate its essential controls on a narrow screen.",
      "note": "Content, controls and data remain understandable and usable."
    },
    {
      "name": "Sharing permissions",
      "question": "Can the team open the published test content as an anonymous and an authorised user?",
      "left": "With ArcGIS Instant Apps, open the published test content as an anonymous and an authorised user.",
      "right": "With ArcGIS Dashboards, open the published test content as an anonymous and an authorised user.",
      "note": "Apps and underlying layers follow the documented access policy."
    },
    {
      "name": "Content update",
      "question": "Can the team change one authorised sample record and inspect the published view?",
      "left": "With ArcGIS Instant Apps, change one authorised sample record and inspect the published view.",
      "right": "With ArcGIS Dashboards, change one authorised sample record and inspect the published view.",
      "note": "The update and ownership process is documented and repeatable."
    }
  ],
  "exampleTable": {
    "caption": "Proposed checks using authorised copies of representative datasets, projects or models. Record software versions, required licences, dependencies, configuration and observed results.",
    "headers": [
      "Requirement",
      "Proposed exercise",
      "Accept when"
    ],
    "rows": [
      [
        "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."
      ]
    ]
  },
  "sections": [
    {
      "id": "scope-and-architecture",
      "navLabel": "Architecture",
      "title": "Scope and architecture",
      "paragraphs": [
        "Instant Apps provides configurable templates for focused map experiences. Dashboards combines maps with indicators and data displays. Prefer a template-led app for a specific map task and evaluate Dashboards when the audience needs operational summaries.",
        "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."
      ],
      "links": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-instant-apps/overview",
          "label": "ArcGIS Instant Apps product information"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-dashboards/overview",
          "label": "ArcGIS Dashboards product information"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "cost-and-migration",
      "navLabel": "Costs & migration",
      "title": "Cost and migration planning",
      "paragraphs": [
        "For ArcGIS Instant Apps, include eligible access and separately billed platform resources. 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."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "How should we choose between ArcGIS Instant Apps and ArcGIS Dashboards?",
      "answer": "Instant Apps provides configurable templates for focused map experiences. Dashboards combines maps with indicators and data displays. Prefer a template-led app for a specific map task and evaluate Dashboards when the audience needs operational summaries."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which costs belong in the comparison?",
      "answer": "For ArcGIS Instant Apps, include eligible access and separately billed platform resources. 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."
    },
    {
      "question": "What should we validate before a production move?",
      "answer": "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."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-instant-apps/overview",
      "facts": "Official product scope, deployment and integration context used for publishing ArcGIS maps for different audiences."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-dashboards/overview",
      "facts": "Official product scope, deployment and integration context used for publishing ArcGIS maps for different audiences."
    }
  ],
  "relatedLinks": [
    {
      "path": "/categories/gis-geospatial/",
      "title": "Gis Geospatial software"
    },
    {
      "path": "/guides/software-buying-checklist/",
      "title": "Software buying checklist"
    }
  ]
}